Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1873-06-19
Miscellany.
THE ART OF CULTIVATING UNHAP
iINESS.

lie chase after happiness, or the pleas
IRE which we dignity by calling it hap
plness Is generally supposed to be the
common occupation of all the world. But
this = by no means the case. There are
people too apathctic to care about happi-
ness at all Some there are who pursue
il IN an inverted form: they find pleasure
in being unhappy, and happiness in max
ING themselves and all around them miser
able; while others do really prefer tragedy
TO comedy and if they can get it in no
other way, they will create tragedy, or the
illusion OF it, in 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 on the worlds broad
stage There is a certain dignity in the
claim. The tragedies of Euripides rank
higher than the comfortable savings of
Horace. Il also have suffered" they
proudly say; in sorrow only | seek for
consolation Clearly there are as many
ways OF being or doing the one thing as
there are OF being or doing the other.
10 cultivate the habits of ready forgive
ness, OF earnest and persistent cheerful
ness about small things, of looking on the
bright side, carries a man a long way in
one direction; to such, however, as choose
the opposite path, we volunteer some we'll
mentioned advice. Those who find their
picasure-or, if that be too strong a word
their satistaction-in developing unhappi-
ness III and for themselves and others
must bring to their task as much care and
concentration OF purpose as if the object
We're not only good and wise in itself, but
In the nature Of things absolutely neces-
sary and the means to this end should be
the subject of serious reflection. A we'll
sustained artificial physiognomy or de
meanor Of any kind often turns counter
lett into reality II a man fixes his face
Tor good temper he almost compels him
sell TO be good tempered, whereas by as
sumlng perpetually peeyish expression,
i peeFish temper IS engcndered. But this
i work Of time. OF course the better
and more thorough method is to create in
your own breast the sentiment YOU desire
- manifest And this with practice be
comes matter Of the utmost facility. Law
lng down line beforehand, so that in
representing unhappincss YOU NAV not
appear III the character Of Despair.
One OF the first moral qualities to be
cherished is suspicion This exercise
produces endless results, often quite unex-
pccted, since the operation of it hardly ad-
mlts either OF guidance or check for who
i 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
itIend-ot any OF these it is quite possible
IL end by believing the very worst. if YOU
steadily accustom yourself to the notion
And II not living beings, there are other
sources Try 10 detect particular maley-
olence rs regards Yourself in whatever
circumstances occur, or whatever fate be
iallS YOU; indulge in portents. dream
dreams and be careful to remember them
and attach great importance to them
Whenever they presage coming misfor
tunes In this way YOU may enjoy an
Guish at will and revel in miseries which
have not yet accrued BY describing
Your miserable state ofmind to others YOU
VIII probably propagate it, and so spread
lar anu wide the great secret of sadness.
II your friends resoutely refuse to share
your sentiments or even to listen. YOU
must content yourself with prognosticat-
ing Tor them sorrow in the future Then
there i envy 20 be induced and cherished
50 thal the sight Of the success of others
shall never fail to produce murmurs
grudging and sullenneSs i'm yonr own
breast. Too much from this point Of view
cannot be said in favor of the habit of
passive yindictiyenesss or the quality of
aaiorglyingneSS; there is no better fertil-
l<er han this with which to prepare the
ground for a fruitful crop of unhappiness.
lh5eLeA@r i not herein implied, because
tlat might lead to action, and in healthy
staha dp fight bad wishes might be blown
INTO the air, bad blood spent and thus all
Inc care and trouble expended would be
thrown away. Its a good plan to keep
II mind, and in certain fashion
celebrate the anniversaries of particular
grlets, losses, insults, or injuries. If nee
essary, make entries in your diary to aid
Your memory, for some people are absurd
~ loose on this head, and when they Grant
pardon, forget the offence as we'll as the
eause and date. Even if you forgive a
wrong, you are not bound to forget it. or
2 refrain from referring to it when so in
0.med, adding the fact of the pardon ac-
corded as an extra shaft of pain Repin-
and habitual discomfort are less
aaimiable but still very serviceable quail
.es They should be steadily indulged,
instantly fed, and the causes must be
aea silently reviewed and dwelt on, so
.aas nothing may be overlooked or for
-aten. This group, 4. e., envy, vindic-
.#eAcss, repining, and discomfort in
neral, have this clear advanta ge-bv
alIlTatlng them you not only create your |
special atmosphere of neutral tint or |
4lolan INK, but you positively obtain a |