Talking of the origin of language,--_Johnson_: "It must have come by inspiration. A thousand, nay, a million of children could not invent a language. While the organs are pliable, there is not understanding enough to form a language; by the time that there is understanding enough, the organs are become stiff. We know that after a certain age we cannot learn to pronounce a new language. No foreigner who comes to England when advanced in life, ever pronounces English tolerably well; at least such instances are very rare. When I maintain that language must have come by inspiration, I do not mean that inspiration is required for rhetoric, and all the beauties of language; for when once man has language, we can conceive that he may gradually form modifications of it. I mean only that inspiration seems to me to be necessary to give man the faculty of speech; to inform him that he may have speech; which I think he could no more find out without inspiration than cows or hogs would think of such a faculty." --_Boswell's Life of Johnson._ 1074 _Laughter._--To laugh, if but for an instant only, has never been granted to men before the fortieth day from his birth, and then it is looked upon as a miracle of precocity. --_Pliny, the Elder._ 1075 A good laugh is sunshine in a house. --_Thackeray._ 1076 John Dryden said,--"It is a good thing to laugh, and if a straw can tickle a man, it is an instrument of happiness, and of health." 1077 He who laughs overmuch may have an aching heart. 1078 The vulgar laugh and seldom smile; whereas well-bred people often smile and seldom laugh. 1079 Laughing is not always a proof that the mind is at ease, or in composure. 1080 Agree if possible, for the law is costly. 1081 If you've a good case, try to compromise; If you've a bad one, take it into court. 1082 The law's delay, the insolence of office. --_Shakespeare._ 1083 Law is sometimes like a mouse-trap; easy to enter, but not easy to get out of. 1084 FOLLY OF GOING TO LAW. To go to law is for two persons to kindle a fire at their own cost to warm others, and singe themselves to cinders; and because they cannot agree as to what is truth and equity, they will both agree to unplume themselves, that others may be decorated with their feathers. --_Feltham._ 1085 He that goes to law for a sheep will be apt to lose a cow. 1086 A lawyer's office is, I'm sure you'll find, Just like a mill, whereto for grinding come A crowd of folk of every sort and kind. 1087 REQUISITES FOR GOING TO LAW.