The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-10-05

mnanings which, were we skilletl.in lexi-
Geographical nicoties, we might be tempt.
ed to compare and analyze; but doing SO
would occupy much time ind space.
more, indeed. thun our limits warrant.
In one sense, humor expresses face.
tious turn of mind, ind, in contradis-
tinotion to, wit. often ill-natured, con
veys only harmless pleasantly, lively and
amusing. "A merry twinkle Of the eye,
bland smile and gentle tone, most fre-
| quently accompany it's sallies Tho hu-
! morous man is esteemed as companion,
and gains. in good fellowship, what he
loses in dignity ut the social board. The
humorist sometimes combines moral in-
struction with his odd turns of thought,
and We nre apt to consider him, person
oily, rs fair sample Of well-fed huma-
nifty, who buttons his coat about u portly
frame, while no hollows mar the ro-
tnndity Of his cheeks. He is by no
means practical joker. illustrating q
comic idea by some tangible exemplifoa-
tion bearing hardly on others. His
spoken whinlsioalities leave no sting be-
that they may be effective. The humor.
Gus man, after his pattern, is always
loved and welcomed, being esteemed
spondency and gloom.
Humor, in another acceptation Of the
term, .is employed to designate that fitful
tone and temper Of mind which tho un-
regulated allow to govern them, expect
Ing that all with whom they are asso-
oiated viii submit to guidance, for the
time being, by whatever phase of feeling
sways themselves. This is not all. We
have heard sensible people offer, by way
OF EXCUSE for loddity and harshness, a
certain fit offtheir t'humor. y, or rather,
we should say, "whim." dominant at
the Imoment. 1t would he useful exer-
oiseI for such to study laws Of mental
equilibrium. if there are such laws, or at
all events, they should seek to subdue
evanescent ''frames and feelings" so
that Judgment be not obscured and rea-
son hold in allegiance.
A certain fiightiness and lack of relia-
bility preponderate in him who con.
demns to-day the same thing which he
approved yesterday, for no cause, save
that his humor has changed. If his opi-
nion is altered, let reflection and reason
account for the, new stand which he
takes.
Bad humor is the habitual state of
some minds. The gloom, peryading
their own survey Of life, reaches to all
about them, who are at all influenced in
their favor through love of friendship.
No wonder if the worn out heart, tired
OF combat with life and unpropitious cir
cumstances. succumbs to this demon, at
war with domestic felicity; but let not
manhood. in its noon, recline for an in
stant beneath the deadly upas tree OF
gloom. till ill1humor, by habit, masters
his mind; and makes his very presence
like q shade from Tophet. The wise man
snbdnes morosenees as he does every
other vicious inclipation, and only so far
q moral hero as lie bravely battles not
only vice but discomfort.
. Man, the pilgrim Of earth, whose brief
span of existence threescore years and
ten usually compass, should rather con
template the meroies than the affective
dispensations which vary his lot. These,
like shadows and sunlight, cross the
paths Of all. Such is tue decree of ON
Impotence; neither are earth . high places
free from sorrow.-Ne,o Orleans Times.
a LAWYERS KNowLEDaE.-All good
lawyers know the value, in the practice
OF their profession, OF general knowledge
or information to be obtained by practi-
cal intercourse with the world, and
studies outside of The law library. In n
book just published by the daughter Of