The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1858-05-04 00:00:00

rarietiess.

AN INQUIRING MIND.-11orsee Walpole tells • story
of a Lord Mayor of London in his time, who having
heard that • friend had had the small pox twice, and
died of it, inquired if he died the first time or the
second.

In Ireland a sharp fellow is said to be "ii cute u
Power's fox,' the fox of Ballybothenn, which used to
read the newspapers every morning to find out where
the hounds were to meet.

PHILOSOPHY OF COMPOSITION.—A friend complained
to • clergyman of the length of his discourse. "Yes,"
said the preacher, "but then you see I had not time to
make it shorter."

Every men has received some gifts, no man all gifts
and this, rightly considered, would keep all in • more
even temper; as, in nature, nothing is altogether use.
less so nothing is self sufficient. This, duly considered,
would keep the meanest from repining and discontent,
even that bath the lowest rank in most respects; yet
something he bath received that is not only • good to
himself, but, rightly improved, may be so to others like-
wise. And this will curb the loftiness of the most ad-
vanced, and teach them not only to see some deficienoies
in themselves, and some gifts in far meaner persons
which they want, but, besides the simple discovery of
this, it will put them upon the use of lower persons,
not only to stoop to the acknowledgment, but even,
withal to the participation and benefit of It; not to
trample upon all that is below them, but to take up and
use things useful, though lying at their feet. Some
flowers and herbs that grow very low are of a very
fragrant and healthful use.
Tag OPINION or °THUM —Many • man has ruined
himself by being too often guided by the opinion of
others. Ask the advice of twenty different persons on
the same subject, ten to one you will receive as many
different answers, each borne out with fitting argument
to make it appear the better reason. A man that has
no reliance upon his own judgment becomes perplexed,
endeavours to take a sort of middle path, again listing
as near as possible with the various advices he has
received; and, as a matter of course, fails in the under-
taking he may have in hand.

SOLACE—I do think that the neoessity for exertion,
for some kind of action (bodily or mental) in time of
distress, is a most infinite blessing, although the first
efforts at such seasons are painful. Something to be
done implies that there is yet hope of some good thing
to be accomplishq,, or some additional evil that may
be avoided; and M• degrees the hope absorbs much of
the sorrow. It is the woes that cannot in any earthly
way be escaped that admit least earthly comforting. Of
all trite, worn-out, hollow-mockeries of comfort that
were ever uttered by people who will not take the trou-
ble of sympathising with others, the one I dislike the
most 111 the exhortation not to grieve over an event,
"for it cannot be helped." Do you think if I could
help it, I would sit still with folded hands, content to
mourn Do you not believe that as long as hope re-
mained I would be up and doing? I mourn because
what has occurred cannot be helped. The reason you
give me for not grieving, is the very and sole reason of
my grief. Give me nobler and higher reasons for
enduring meekly what icy Father secs lit to send, and I
will try earnestly sad faithfully to be patient; but mock
me not, or any other mourner, with the speech, "Do
not grieve, for it cannot be helped. It is past remedy."

CHABITT.—I sometimes think there's two sides to th°
oommandment ; and that we may say, ' Let others d°
unto you, as you would do unto them,' for pride often
prevents our giving others a great deal of pleasure, in not
letting them be kind, when their hearts are longing to
help; and when we ourselves should with to do just the
tame, if we were in their place. Oh I how often I've been
hurt, by being coldly told by persons not to trouble in
about their care, or sorrow, when I saw them in
great grief, and wanted to be of oonifort. Our Lord
Jesus was not above letting folks minister to Him, for
he knew how happy it makes one to do aught for
another. It's the happiest work on aarth.—drory
Barton.
THE lINIENOWN.—It Ii difficult to convey to the soul
an idea of that which it has never seen or experienced.
As well may we try to conceive the joys of heaven hi to
teach • deaf man the power of music. We inform him
that it is beautiful, heart soothing, spirit stirring.
What is it like he inquires. Like (you write to him)
the thrilling touch of the one you love; like the cooling
breath of evening after best; like the sweet pesos whish
follows (ionisation of wrong—in vain; your pupil will
learn that mak it good, but of it, nature be will know
nothing. So it Is with those joys which eye bath not
seen nor ear heard. God teaches us heaven is like
mush), its joys like streams, like flowers—in vain; we
gain the idea of ineffable happiness—more we moot