Daily union appeal. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1862-186?, 1862-08-27
FoIbles.

FoIbles.
Every man has his own peculiar foibles end /
weaknesses as well IS other characteristics. /
The celebrated Slater, who came over from
England to establish the first cotton mill in
In Rhode Island, could not imagine how to inn I
part opposite motions to distinct cylinders, /
which were to be turned by belts from the |
same central drum. He puzzled himself over
1t till half crazy, and then laid down under
his central drum and fell asleep, and dreamed /
Just what any factory girl in Lowell could /
tell him to do-that he crossed one Of the /
belts
Sir Isaac Newton almost roasted alive be- |
cause his fire was too hot, and he had not |
presence of mind enough to move away from 1
it. He did, however, know enough to ring for |
his servant, and, in burning Indignation, or
dered him to remove the CRATE. When the |
servant, taking advantage of lull in the |
fiery eruption, suggested, very respectfully
that it might be better for his master to move
his chair little "Oh, yes, so / might" re-
piled Mr.. Newton, 81 did not think Of that"
One would hardly suppose that man SO stu
pid as that would be the originator of nearly
one-half Of the mathematical and astronomi-
cal science in the world.
Robert Hall once forgot his own name,
could not recall it at the postofice, and was
obliged to 60 away without bis mail. He once,
it is said, stuffed his feet into his wifes valuable
mutf TO keep them warm, because his fire had
gone out, and he had not sense enough either
TO kindle it, or call for a servant to do it fer
him. In this condition he lighted his pipe
and had capita! smoke, muttering all the
while, 40, how comfortablel" His reverie
was broken by the entrance of his wife, who
heard him, and came TO see what it could be
that so filed his idea ef comfort. And yet
Robert Ball was eonfessedly one Of the great
est men the world ever saw.
celebrated New England clergyman, sew
eral years ago, who was settled in a country
parish was out on horseback making pastoral
visits. lie alighted at the house of one of his
brethren, who took his horse and hitched him
to a bar post, by pulling the end of the bride
through the upper mortice, and turning it
over the .op of the post. When the good
parson got ready TO start, he undertook to
"loose his colt" Meditating, it may be, on
the saying of the Master, that ait is easier for
camel to 90 through the eye of needle"
etc. he took hold of the bride and studied the
moose for some time, and then soiloquized,
Well, WE'LL 1t must be so They put my
horse through the bar-post to hitch HIM. But
how shall ever get him back p The par
ishioner heard the doleful lament, and came
TO the good mans relief. so at least runs the
story. Bat as waggish brethren, As we'll as
mischievous sinners, love TO tell funny stories
about ministers, these reports should always
be taken with few grains OF discount
Father Phinney, of Maine, who has gone
home, was one who knew something of men
and scythes. He once said, /" Who Of US is
there if you take US from heel to point, that
hasn't soft place somewhere, where the edge
will turn 2"
Few men ever lived who possessed mind
so well balanced and so well stored with use
full knowledge as John Quincy Adams. And
yet, with all his good qualities, he had one
foil WA nt,nho
render him, on some occasions, almost an un
comfortable companion. At one time, when
put forward as a candidate for office, it is said
his friends persuaded him to go out among his
constituency and address them, and make their
acquaintance, telling him plainly that, unless
he should make himself more familiar, there
was great danger of defeat He regularly
consented. Almost overjoyed to see him, the
people crowded around for an introduction.
One solid old man shock him heartily by the
hand and said, "Mr. Adams, | am glad to see
you. My wife used to live at yonr fathers
and says she has combed your head many a
time when you were boy" ayes said Mr..
Adams, in half queruloas tone, "and now, L
suppose, she combs yours This uncivil reply
made the old man draw his head into his coat
collar, and stink away abashed and angry.
This sprinkling Of bitterness, which was al
most the only fault in the constitution of this
truly great and good man, was injury to
him all through life, and was not only dreaded
by his enemies, but also by his friends.
The truth is, one man cannot be everything
that is desirable. 1t is contrary to the ar
rangement of mature and Providence" for
one constitution to embody all the desirable
qualities there are, and when nature has en-
dowed ono with some rare and brilliant tai
ents, he wal often be found really defective in
some other respects.
Self-training may do much toward correct
ing these faults, but the grace of God in an
swer to prayer, and careful watchfulness, will
do far more. This is a method that too few
people think of adopting; and yet it is really
the most successful which ever was or ever
can be adopted. If one is forgetful, absent
minded, given to make tart replies, or uncivil
rejoinders, is easily provoked with unreasona-
bic conduct, liable TO dependency or levity,
let him pray against it, ard watch against it
as he would against deadlier sin, till it is
overcome.
One reason why the little foxes spoil the
vines is, that they are not considered danger
Gus, and consequently are let alone.