The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1855-04-06
Unsystematio Thinking.

The power of reflection is one of the
most interesting exercises of our intellectual
being. TO be capable of thought, is to
possess All incomprehensible capability-the
mind, to itself, is an indcfnaLle prodigy.
by reflection we compare the past with
the present, and judge of the future by Il
considcrance of what has been and now is.
The mind, however, needs to be cduca-
ted 1t must necessarily undergo a process
of systematic training, before We can rea.
sonably expect the result to be profitable,
either to ourselves or others. There must
be mental system and arrangement.
One of the most prominent charactcris-
tics Of the present age is too much talk and
too little reflection. Men often talk at ram
dom, and when that is the case, not unfrc-
quently talk nonsense. An association of
systematizcd ideas might be sought for with
rs much success in the whirlwind which
gathers III its march sticks, leaves, trash,
and so forth, as that mind where mental
culture is neglected, and the power of
thought untaught to think.
1t was either our fortune or misfortune
not long since to fall in with a "rarc 'un" of
the talking genus; and, as we could not
deny ourself the indulgence of feeling con-
sidcrahly amused at listening to as much Of
what he said as our frigid fingers and toes
would permit, it may not be amiss iii conncc-
ton with the foregoing remarks to divide
the amusement with our readers.
When we reached the house of our
triend,a little servant girl was busily engaged
in sweeping the floor, and at her the talk
began. "Make haste, there, gal," said our
host. (for he seemed to be in great hurry,)
"and get done sweeping, and fix this table,
for the cars will be here presently" at is
very cold morning; indeed" "You had
better sweep along, gall" "What is your
name, Sir" "l1ercs place you haven't
half swept! Give me that broom ~
"low far have you come this morning, sir9"
"Iell them to hurry breakfast" "Wherc
DO You live, and what is your profession ~
"Thcy say that that man-wlat's his namc9
NICHOLAS is dead.' "Bc in a hurry.
and wipe them dishes we'll" 81 hone in
God that if he is dead, some one else will
take his place, and whip the French and
English"
BY this time we were carried off, to some
extent, in our risble regions, but the fol-
lowing knocked us entirely off our balance,
and we enjoyed, in plain English, "a hearty
laugh" On scrutinizing our 'og, said he
Don't one corner of your for'ad stick out
turder than the other! 1t looks like It
does." 81 don't believe in nations Ioublc-
teamlns upon one another, and so 1 don't.''
u heard a man say once that there was
no way of baptism right but this spluncine
business"-"Come, gals, bring in break
f;st'-"but don't believe a word of it !: if
did, by jingo, I'd be splungcd twice a
week, I'll be dinged if didn't" Il expect
that we are to have difficulty with them
people over yandcr yit." II wouldn't be
splungcd sich day as this, it's too cold ;
but-thcrc's the whistler
The arrival Of the cars turned the atten-
ton of our host in another direction, and
IN a few minutes we exchanged the noise of
one of the most inccssant takers we have
ever met with, for the clatter and rattle of
the morning train, and were soon at home.
Tho Last News from Europe
THERE is no loprer anv doubf of Tho