The hydraulic press., 1858-08-28

does not do this, therefore he is an ig-
noramus. He is shut out from the
creation to which he rightly belongs
by the circumstances of his birth and
from the very first minute oft. Fresh
from his mothers womb he lies on
linea, and his couch is draped with
damask or with costlier silks and
lace. His first perceptions are of
human Difference to wealth-the
SOULS self-abnegation to material ac>
cidents. He inhales not the free air
of democratic nature-drinks not his
mothers milk even, but inspires the
perfumed odors of dazzling boudoirs
and draws his sustenance from hires
ling breasts.
He grows up a comparatively iso-
lated being, confined to kindred asso-
ciates and Fictitious joys behind those
monastic bars of gold which exclude
him as well from knowing mankind as
from frequent opportunity to assist
them. He is deprived Of that en-
larged sympathy, acquired only by
equal communion with all men, which
is the source of innumerable pleas,
ures as it is the soother of innumer-
able woes.
And the wife he takes to his bosom
takes from the false world of the
drawing-room and weds in the FASH
ionable church whose white marble
and stained windows inspire no relig-
ion-what is she better? No sight
is more painful to witness than that
of such woman, a pyramid Of costly
stuffs, Of feathers, silks and laces,
gliding down the pave with naughty
steps and ever-present consciousness
of self, beautiful as a peacock and as
vain, as if nothing stood between earth
and heaven but her! Such spec
tacle is painful because the woman
seems Ignorant of all that is best in
herself Ignorant Of that humility and
tender sympathy which lie deep in
every good woman's breast, prompting
to the quiet performance Of good
deeds.
1t is painful and pitiful because it
forces doubts of domestic happiness,
and leaves US with the reflection that
when she dies she will leave nothing
valuable but her wardrobe. But the
born-rich is protected by his own sell
ishness, perhaps, from such troubles
some thoughts as these. Ego is ever
nppermost in his mind as in hers
For him men were made, not he for
men.
If you dispute the justice of this
he is insulted; if you smile
upon him he frowns; if you court his
society he repulses you.
Thus is be condemned to waste
life, or to lose it, in ignorant selfish
ness, guiItless of plebian companion
ship; passing away, at last, from the
possession Of wealth without having
made a sign by which it may be
known he lived. Truly, there is
cause to pity him. fskS
How different the fate of he Nwho
smerges from some lonely hut in the
wilderness, to wrestle with the angel
Of life till day dawns on his triumph!
The struggle may be hard, but it is
attended by collateral delights and
peculiar advantages.
Ills affections are not quenched but
enlarge with his experience. Every
where along the pathway of existence
friends are springing to meet him
for none are too humble for has ac-
quaintance, and from all he gains
much good, obtains many a rare gem
Of knowledge to enrich his mind with
all.
No we'll drilled exclusiyeness makes
him afraid of the world; tits his fami-
", and he loves it. The simplest
members of this family are not con.
temned, for contempt is a growth Of
conventionality. He need take no
deep masonic oaths of brotherhood;
the very fact Of his being pledges
him to fraternity. Every new acs
quaintance is an acquisition Of profit
able pleasure; from every chat by the
roadside he gains something which in
after years will prove pleasing ret
rospection, if nothing more. If any
despise him, he can afford to smile and
pity while be smiles, studying curl
ously, meanwhile, that anomaly in
dependent man which makes him
deem himself independent! If soli-
tude be his portion, or contumely, or
tas p ~x>