WANT OF THOUGHT. “J’écrirais assez bien si je savais penser,” was the confession of a French writer; one which might with truth be repeated by the greater part of modern authors, in whose works we find a superfluity of words, and a paucity of ideas. It is as though they wrote to avoid thought, instead of revealing and engendering it. Their works resemble certain trees, on which is found an abundance of leaves, but little fruit. WISDOM. Wisdom is e’er the harbinger of death. It comes not till it long has been invoked, To wean us gently from the world’s vain joys And show the yawning grave that waits for us. ADMIRATION. Those who are formed to win general admiration, are seldom calculated to bestow individual happiness. VIRTUE. Virtue, like a dowerless beauty, has more admirers than followers. FORGIVENESS. Forgiveness of injuries is apt to draw on the forgiver a repetition of wrongs, as people reason thus: “If he has forgiven so much, he can forgive more.” TRIALS. The spirit in which we receive trials either increases or diminishes their bitterness: fortitude and resignation disarm them of their sharpest darts; while anger and vindictiveness only augment their poignancy. PRINCIPLES. A man without principles is like a ship without a compass. TRUTH. Mendaciloquens respects truth so much, that he seldom approaches it. Nay, you are wrong, for he is known to take great liberties with it. AN UNPOPULAR MAN. An unpopular man is he who forms few friendships in life; but, _en revanche_, cultivates many enmities. TIME. Time, fell destroyer of all earthly good, Sworn foe to beauty, innocence, and joy, Thou leav’st us nought but dull and sad experience, Whichever comes when we no longer need it, And keeps aloof when we require its aid. KNOWLEDGE. Knowledge should be acquired gradually, and by study; for the superficial knowledge which is the result of the promiscuous and unregulated adoption of the discoveries of others, affects the mind, as the sudden removal of a person with weak eyes from a darkened room into a blaze of light, does the sight,—it overpowers and confuses. LOVE. Love cannot exist in the heart of woman unless modesty is its companion, nor in that of man unless honour is its associate. VICES. The vices of the rich and great are mistaken for errors; and those of the poor and lowly, for crimes. VIRTUE.