The knowledge of the world that enables us to escape from errors, can only be acquired by an experience which costs us many of our most cherished illusions. CHARACTER OF MAN. As storm following storm, and wave succeeding wave, give additional hardness to the shell that encloses the pearl, so do the storms and waves of life add force to the character of man. PRECOCIOUS WISDOM. Precocious wisdom is not desirable for youth, lest, like the rash blossom which ventures forth too early, it should be nipped ere it has strength to resist adversity. STRENGTH OF MIND. By relying on our own resources, we acquire mental strength; but, when we lean on others for support, we are like an invalid, who, having accustomed himself to a crutch, finds it difficult to walk without one. CONTEMPLATION. Contemplation displays to us the past events of our lives, which, during their occurrence, we saw not; as a calm clear day shows us the rocks and wrecks of the sea, which we discovered not while tossed on the turbulent surface of the waters. PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGION. Philosophy was a boon bestowed by Reason to console mankind for the inevitable misfortunes of life, but being found insufficient for the task, she granted the blessing of Religion, a younger, a more gentle, and infallible consoler. POLITENESS. A substitute for goodness of heart. CONSCIENCE. A starving man, who committed theft, was asked by a pious person if his conscience had not cried out to him to forbear. “Alas!” replied he, “if it did, the cries of my stomach were so much louder, that they prevented me from hearing those of conscience.” PRESENTIMENTS. Presentiments are the heart’s prophecies; for the heart is a sibyl deeply skilled in all the mysteries of her own realm. YOUTH AND AGE. Youth resembles a Claude Lorraine glass, which imparts to all objects its own beautiful tints; but age is like a magnifying lens, which leaves no defect unseen. CONFIDENCES. Confidences are more frequently reposed in persons through a want of discretion, than from excess of friendship, and are oftener betrayed through incontinency of speech than from motives of treachery. COMMON MISTAKES. The common herd of mankind mistake anarchy for liberty, ostentation for generosity, passion for love, and vanity for pride; yet how widely different are they all! JUDGMENT OF WOMEN ON MEN.