I suppose it is sometimes necessary to trim trees. I hear people say so. But I think a tree of beautiful and perfect shape is more desirable than the little patch of lawn that might be gained by "trimming it up." Ought not one to consider, and carefully study the tree, as a whole, before venturing to remove any of its branches? To examine it from every point of view? Above all, if your trees _must_ be trimmed, see about it _yourself_, and don't trust them to the ruthless hands of people insensible to beauty--those to whom a tree is only so much wood! And be very sure your "cause" is "justifiable" before you allow them to be touched. Remember that the finest trees are of slow growth; and if ever you are tempted to cut down a really fine one, just stop a moment and reflect that it may take half a lifetime to replace it. If these people who have a mania for cutting down trees could but be persuaded to plant a new one for every old one they sacrifice, what a blessing it would be to future generations! Then as a little helpless, innocent bird, That has but one plain passage of few notes, Will sing the simple passage o'er and o'er For all an April morning, till ear Wearies to hear it. --_Tennyson._ The sycophant succeeds where the self-respecting man fails, yet the former is despised and the latter revered. The first is happy if he secure the favor of the great; the latter is content if he can secure that of himself.--_Charles Churchill Marble._ "THAT I MAY HELP." The depth and dream of my desire, The bitter paths wherein I stray, Thou knowest, Who hast made the fire, Thou knowest, Who hast made the clay. One stone the more swings to her place In that dread temple of Thy Worth, It is enough that through Thy grace I saw naught common on Thy earth. Take not that vision from my ken; O, whatsoe'er may spoil or speed, Help me to need no aid from men That I may help such men as need. --_Rudyard Kipling._ A TRAGEDY IN THREE PARTS. PART I.--_The Bonnet._ A bit of foundation as big as your hand; Bows of ribbon and lace; Wire sufficient to make them stand; A handful of roses, a velvet band-- It lacks but one crowning grace. PART II.--_The Bird._ A chirp, a twitter, a flash of wings, Four wide-open mouths in a nest; From morning till night she brings and brings For growing birds, they are hungry things-- Aye! hungry things at the best. The crack of a rifle, a shot well sped; A crimson stain on the grass; Four hungry birds in a nest unfed-- Ah! well, we will leave the rest unsaid; Some things it were better to pass. PART III.--_The Wearer._