The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1853-01-05
communicated
THE "FOURS'-MR. PIERCE.

Sir William Temples rule as to wine was to
drink four glasses. The first was for health,
the second for enjoyment, the third for your
friends and the fourth for your enemies. There
can be no better toast for good Christie than
this fourth, if our temperance friends will allow
toast at all over glass of wine. French
ceremony forbids toasts at dinners, but not from
making war on wine. They drink their own,
Of all favors and colors, with the belief that it
helps to make them cheerful and temperate
race But to the "fours"-to the caption
Raren0ns nos naontOns.
Among Persian proverbs is one that runs thus.
that wise man in speaking should be mindful
OF four thngs-1, to whom he speaks; 2, of
whom he speaks; 3, when he speaks; 4, how
he speaks.
In Spain they also have saying about four
rood things, with the word old before each
namely, old wood to burn, old books TO read, old
wine to drink, and old friends to love.
Being lately where such topics as these came
ND amidst good cheer and good feeling, it was
said, ia sort of harmony with them, at least
as to numbers, that four things, each worthy Of
special note, had marked the course Of our Pres
ident elect since the great candidateship tor that
post was thrown upon him.
What were they ? it was asked. The answers
were as follows:
First He declined answering the prelimin-
ary circular addressed to him by gentleman in
Virginia. significant silence from the start
Put this down as number one.
The ne 1t is the remark he made to his neigh
bors and friends, the people of Concord, who
went 10 his house with bands, and torches, and
shouts oil congratulation under The first success
es or the canvass, that with singh toned and
honorable men the hour Of triumph should be
the hour OF mapnanimity. Number two.
M. 1ott roated with hin
very awakening in the fact Of his saying moth
ing, doing nothing throughout the entire can
vass, directly or indirectly, to seek votes for
himselrs Number this as three.
Last comes his reply, since elected, to the
democratic committee of Philadelphia, who de-
sired to offer him attentions arriving there on
his way to the seat Of government-nainely,
that whilst grateful for their offer, it would
"gratify him exceedingly to 60 to Washington
in the most qniet manner possible !; adding that
he had no time To denote to matters not immedi-
nfciv connected 10Th the duties and responsible
ties before him. Here 10 nuraber four, which
ncb!y completes the list.
rake the ensemble. Deal with the group
Ii Is fertile Of reflection. The triple fours first
mentioned--those Of Sir William Temple, of
the Persin proyerb, and Of the fine old Spanish
sayin.-concern social life. Mr.. Pierce's bear
upon qualities for administering the executive
power of great nation under all its difficulties,
complexities, and responsibilities, at home and
abroad. So weighed, the public wisdom they
embody may well delight the mind. Their nov
city in America latteriy almost serves to create
amazcment, and betokrns, reforms much needed.
LIT the piutarchs Of our land-those who can
analyxe the intellectual and moral points in
man i nature most like TO qualify him for wedf
ing power-appiy themselves to these four signs
fssiu franklin Pisrcr and inform usroffwh hat
tFey fairly give promise Washingtoh Union.