Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-10-22
NO. 25l.'
Misfellaneoms.
For the Journal.
THE HANDSOME AND DEPORNID LEG.

Mr.. EDITOR: The following truthful
article was taken from an old book, print.
ed in 1903. The name of the author is un.
known: 9sial
There are two sorts of people in the
world, who with equal degrees of health
and wealth, and the other comforts of life,
become the one happy and the other mis-
cradle. This arises very muck from the
different views in which they consider
things, persons and events. and the effect
of those different views upon their own
minds. esf
| In whatever situation men can be placed,
they may find conveniences and inconven.
fences; in whatever company they NAV
| find persons and conversation more or less
pleasing; at whatever table, they may
meet with meats and drinks OF better and
of worse taste, dishes better and worse
dressed; in whatever climate they will
find good and bad weather; under what
ever government they will lind good and
bad laws and bad administration Of
these laws; in whatever poem, or work OF
genius, they may see faults and beauties
in almost every face and in every person,
they may discover fine features and de-
fects, good and bad qualities.
Under these circumstances, the too sorts
of people above mentioned, fix their at
tention, those who are disposed to be hap
py, on the convenience of things, the
pleasant parts of conversation, the well
dressed dishes, the goodness OF the wines.
the fine weather, &c., and enjoy all with
cheerfuness. Those who are to be un-
happy, think and speak only of the con-
traries. Hence they are continually dis
contented themselves. and by their re-
marks, sour the pleasures Of society; Of
fend personally many people and make
themselves everywhere disagreeable. III
this turn of mind was founded on nature,
such unhappy persons would be the more
to be pitied But IA the disposition to
critcise, and to be disgusted is perhaps,
taken up originally by invitation, and Is,
unawares grown into habit. which,
though at present strong, may neverthe-
less, be cured when those who have it,
are convinced of its bad effects on their
felicity. hope this little admonition
may be OF service to them and put
them on changing habit. which, though
in the exercise it is chiefly an act Of
imagination. yet has serious conse-
quences in life, rs it brings on real griefs
and misfortuncs. For as many are Offend
ed by, and nobody loves this sort OF peo-
Pile; no one shows them more thanthe
most common civility and respect, and
hardly that; and this frequently puts them
out OF humor and draws them into dis
putes and contentious. Ii they aim at OBJ
tanning some advantage in rank Or fortune,
nobody wishes them success. or will stir q
step, or speak word to favor their pre-
tentionS. 81 -Fta d
Ii they incur public censnre or disgrace
no one will defend or excuse, and many
join to aggravate their misconduct. and
render them completely odious. If these
people will not change this bad habit, and
condesccnd to be pleased with what is
| pleasing without fretting themselves and
others abous their contraries, 1t is good
| for others to avoid ali acquaintance with
them; which is ALWAYS disagreeable,s and
sometimes very inconyenient, especially
when one finds ones self entangled in
their quarrels. An old philosophical friend
was grown from experiences, very cautious
in this respect or particular, and careiul-
| ly avoided any intimacy with such people
He had like other philosophers, Their
mometer to show him the heat OF ofweather,
and barometer, TO mark when it was
good or bad but there being no instrt,-
this unpleasing disposition in a person, he.
for that purpose, made use OF his legs; one
OF which was remarkably handsome. the
other by some accident crooked.and de-
formed. If a stranger. at the first inter-
view regarded his ugly leg, more than his
handsome one. he doubted him. If he
spoke of it and took no notice of the hard
some leg that was sufficient to determine
my philosopher to have no further acquain-
tance with him. fss
| Everybody has not this two legged in-
strument but every one with little al
ten,ion. may observe signs Of that carping.
fault finding disposition, aud take the
same resolution of avoiding any acquain-
tance of those infected with it, there
fore advise those critical, querlous, dis
contented, unhappy people, that if they
wish to be respected and beloved by others
and happy in themselves. they should
leave off looking at the ugly leg"