Discriminate in the use of POLITE and KIND. Don’t say “your _polite_ invitation was received;” “You are very _polite_ in being so obliging;” “They gave us a _polite_ reception.” Use _kind_. Discriminate in the use of SUCH and SO. Don’t say, “_Such_ a handsome bonnet;” “_Such_ a lovely girl;” “_Such_ a rough road.” Use _so_ handsome, _so_ lovely, etc.—_From “Discriminate.”_[M] * * * * * ONE MEANS OF HELPING RUSSIA.—But there is no obstacle which can not be overcome by energy, spirit of sacrifice, and courage. The Russian despotism must and will be destroyed; for it is not permitted to the stupid obstinacy of one, nor to the infamous egotism of a few, to arrest the progress and light of a nation of a hundred million souls. We can only wish the mode of execution of the unavoidable may be the least disastrous, least sanguinary, and most humane. And there is a force which can strongly contribute to this—it is the public opinion of European countries. It is strange, but quite true; Russian governmental circles are much more impressed by what is said about them in Europe than by the wailing of all Russia from the White Sea down to the Euxine.—_From “Russia Under the Tzars,” by Stepniak._ * * * * * THE GOLDEN PRIME OF ’49.—A knowledge of the characteristic features of the mining days of 1849 is essential to a full appreciation of the good sense and political wisdom shown by the miners as a class. Merchants, mechanics, farmers existed but to supply the miners; and the gold of the mines was the chief resource of California. Four fifths of the able-bodied male population were living in the mineral belt, or were on their way thither, when the working season of 1849 opened. Only four years before there had been but five hundred Americans in California; in February, 1848, but two thousand; by December, 1848, this number had grown to six thousand; by July, 1849, to fifteen thousand; and by December, 1849, to fifty-three thousand. Chiefly owing to the gold rush of 1848-53 the center of population of the United States moved eighty-one miles farther west. Within four years after the spring of 1849 the population of the new state was 300,000, and more than $260,000,000 had been dug from the gold fields.—_From Charles Howard Shinn’s “Mining Camps.”_ * * * * * THE WISE MAN’S VIEW OF LIFE. “Look on the Spirit as the rider! take The Body for the chariot, and the Will As charioteer! regard the Mind as reins, The Senses the steeds, and the things of sense The ways they trample on. So is the Soul The Lord that owneth spirit, body, will, Mind, senses, all; itself unowned. Thus think The wise! “He who is unwise drives with reins Slack on the neck o’ the senses; then they romp, Like restive horses of a charioteer.