In many respects Benjamin Franklin was a wise man, and perhaps in no small way could he have shown his knowledge of human nature better than by adopting such rules. But I really do not think he has many followers. Just watch the conversation of even quite young people for awhile, with this thought in mind, and see how many of them seem to be absolutely sure of their position, even in regard to subjects where wise men differ. If we could have more doubt about things which have not yet been decided, and more certainty about things which God and the Bible have decided for us, we should have a much better, as well as a much pleasanter world. HANNAH HEARALL. OFF FOR BOYLAND. HO! All aboard? A traveler Sets sail from Babyland! Before my eyes there comes a blur; But still I kiss my hand, And try to smile as off he goes, My bonny, winsome boy! Yes, _bon voyage_! God only knows How much I wish thee joy! Oh! tell me; have you heard of him? He wore a sailor’s hat All silver-corded round the brim, And—stranger e’en than that— A wondrous suit of navy blue, With pockets deep and wide; Oh! tell me, sailors, tell me true, How fares he on the tide? We’ve now no baby in the house; ’Twas but this very morn, He doffed his dainty ’broidered blouse, With skirts of snowy lawn; And shook a mass of silken curls From off his sunny brow; They fretted him—“so like a girl’s,” Mamma can have them now. He owned a brand-new pocket-book, But that he could not find; A knife and string were all he took. What did he leave behind? A heap of blocks, with letters gay, And here and there a toy; I cannot pick them up to-day, My heart is with my boy. Ho! Ship ahoy! At boyhood’s town Cast anchor strong and deep. What! tears upon this little gown, Left for mamma to keep? Weep not, but smile; for through the air A merry message rings— “Just sell it to the rag man there; I’ve done with baby things!” EMMA HUNTINGTON NASON. */ [Illustration: ON THE LOOKOUT.] THE OLD WORLD TOO. AMERICA is still the “New World.” Each day pick up something new about it. It is your world now. But there is an “Old World.” You must know about that too. If you could go and see it, so much the better. The eye is a little contrivance, but large enough to take in all England, Ireland, Scotland and any other land it gets a chance to see. If you go abroad you must sail. There is no railroad or cable to carry you yet. A hundred years hence people may cross the Atlantic in balloons. But you can’t wait so long. Why should you? Here is the good ship Majestic—not exactly the one shown in the picture on the first page—which will take you over from New York to Liverpool in less than six days.