Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1873-06-11
The Art Of CuItivating Un.
happiness.

pleasure which We dignity by calling
it happiness, is generally supposed
to be the common occupation OF all
the world. But this is by 10 means
the case. There are people too
apathetic to care about happiness at
al. Some there are who pursue it in
an inverted form; they find pleasure
III being unhappy, and happiness in
making themselves and all around
them miserable; Willie others do
really prefer tragedy to comedy, and
if they can get it in 10 other way,
they will create tragedy, or the illu-
sion of it, i'll private life. There are
few actors, either good or bad, who
have not at some time believed that
their role was tragedy, and it is thus
with these everyday actors Oh the
worlds broad stage. There is q
certain dignity in the claim. The
tragedies of Euripides rank higher
| than the comfortable sayings of
Horace. 81 also have suffered" they
proudly say Gin sorrow only 1 seek
for consolation" Clearly there are
as many ways of being or doing the
doing the other. To cultivate the
habit of ready forgiveness, of earnest
and persistent cheerfuIness about
small things, of looking OH the bright
side, carries man long way in enc
direction to such, however, as choose
the opposite path, we volunteer some
wcll-intcntioned advice. Those who
find their pleasnre-or, if that be too
strong word, their satisfaction-in
developing unhappiucss in and for
themselves and others, must bring to
their task as much care and concen-
tration of purpose as if the object
were not only good and wise in itself.
but i'll the nature of things absolutely
necessary; and the means 10 this end
should be the subject of serious re-
Election. A well sustained artificial
physiO@nomy or demeanor of any
kind often turns counterfeit into
reality. If q niap fixes his face for
good-temper, he almost compcls him
self to be good-tcmpered, whereas by
assuming perpetually peevish ex-
preston, u peevish temper is engeil-
dercd. But this is a work of time.
OF course the better and most thor
ouglI method is to create in your
own breast the sentiment you desire
to manifest. And this with practice
becomes matter of the utmost
facility, laying down q line before
hand, SO that Ill representing unhap-
piness you may not appear in the
character of Despair.
One Of the first. moral qualities to
be cherished is suspicion. This ex-
ercise produces endless results, often
quite unexpected, since the operation
of it hardly admits either of guidance
or check for who is there that in the
past, the present, or the future, may
not be bitterly distrusted if long
watched through particular focus
Father, mother, wife, husband, or
your best friend-of any of these it is
quite possible to end by believing the
very worst, if you steadily accustom
yourself to the notion. And if not
living beings, there are other sources.
Try to detect particular Inalevo-
leuce as regards yourself in whatever
circumstances occur or whatever fate
befalls you; indulge in portcnts,
dream dreams and be careful to re-
member them, and attach great i'm
portance to them Whenever they
presagc coming misfortunes. In this
way you may enjoy anguish at will
and revel in miscrics which have not
yet accrued. By describing Your
miserable state of mind to others YOU
will probably propagate it, and SO
spread far and wide the great secret
of sadness. If your friends resolute-
ly refuse to share your sentiments or
even to listen, you must content
yourself with prognosticatin. for
them sorrow in the future. Then there
is envy to be induced aud cherished,
SO that the sight of the success of
others shall never fail. to produce
murr,urs, grudging, and sullenness
i'll your own breast. Too much from
this point of view cannot be said in
favor of the habit of passive vindic-
tiveness or the quality of unforgive-
ness there ia no better fertilizer than
this with which to prepare the ground
for o fruitful crop Of unhappiness.
Revenge is not herein implied, be-
cause that might lead to action, aud
in healthy stand-up fight bad wishes
might be blown into the air, bad
blood spent, and thus all the care and
trouble expended would be thrown
away. 1t is o good plan 10 keep in
mind and il. q certain fashion cele-
brate tho anniversaries of PARTICULAR
griefs, losses, insults, or injuries. If
necessary, make entries in yenr diary
to aid your memory, for some people
are absurdly loose ON this head, and
when they grant pardon, forget the
offence as well as the cause snd date.
Even If you forgive q wrong, yos;aeel
not bound to forget it, or to rcffsini
from referring to 1t when 20 inclined.
adding the fact Of the pardon aesord-
cd as ap sxtrs SHAFT Of pain. Hepin-
ing and habitual discomfort are less
unamiable still very servieeable