THEIR BEST [Sidenote: _Wilfrid Maynell_] She is a very simple maid-- Nicknamed a "tweeny"; The cook's and housemaid's riven aid, Christ-named Irene. And when, in lower regions, she Hears hurled request, She laughs or cries: "Oh, right you be, I'll do my best." Her very best, be very sure! She holds it fast-- Religion undefiled and pure. And, at the last, When Life, from this sad house of her, Flits like a guest, She'll curtsy to the Judge: "O Sir, I did my best." The Judge, for sure, will bow His head; And, round the throne, Angels will know to God they've led His very own. This sentence then shall gently fall: "Irene, you Have done your best: and that is all Even God can do." MAGNIFICENT ENDS [Sidenote: _Disraeli in "Vivian Grey"_] In the plenitude of his ambition he stopped one day to enquire in what manner he could obtain his magnificent ends: "The Bar--pooh! law and bad jokes till we are forty; and then with the most brilliant success, the prospect of gout and a coronet. Besides, to succeed as an advocate, I must be a great lawyer, and to be a great lawyer, I must give up my chance of being a great man. The Services in war time are only fit for desperadoes (and that truly am I); but, in peace, are fit only for fools. The Church is more rational. Let me see: I should certainly like to act Wolsey, but the thousand and one chances against me! and truly I feel _my_ destiny should not be on a chance. Were I the son of a millionaire, or a noble, I might have _all_. Curse on my lot! that the want of a few rascal counters, and the possession of a little rascal blood should mar my fortunes!" GENIUS, WHEN YOUNG [Sidenote: _Disraeli in "Coningsby"_]