The New York herald., 1879-08-31

Sidney smith; and il we laugh at joke which
manufactured by Napoleon We are told that it was
not Napoleon but Julius Caesar who originated IL.
Our wit is all borrowed from the Greeks who bor-
rowed it from the Egyptians. who borrowed it from
the Hebrews. We have always supposed that the
Hebrews were q grave and dignfed race; but If it
be true that they are the only genuine. original
packages in which the witty sayings OF to-day
first wrapped up We rather wonder that they got
across the Red Sea as well as they did. So long,
however, the things We laugh at are new to us it
matters little how many generations have enjoyed
them in turn. Like old wine. they all the better
for having been kept.
There is a certain class of people in the world who
have q peculiar faculty of saying and doing the
wrong thing without really meaning it, Sometimes
they call themselves "candid. you know" and un-
der the head of candor they indulge in imperti-
nences which no one else would dare to utter. They
boast that they are perfectly natural, and then
do such things that you feel like adding tho word
'.fool' to tho word natural" They tell you of
your faults for your good. of course but still with
a relish which makes you sure that they are glad to
have discovered your weakness, and still moro glad
to have opportunity to talk about it. We must ad
NIT that amid the general hard grind living. and
while we wish to give its need OF praise to every
virtue. very greatly prefer that worldly polite
candor which regards it duty to talk about
them until sorry that we were ever born.
Sometimes phrase which at the beginning looks
like a compliment meanders off at the end into
something not quite 30 pleasant. lady in widows
weeds was once sitting opposite . somewhat con-
ceited gentleman. and her furtive glances at him
attracted the attention Of the company. At last.
feeling that apology necessary. she sad with
tears in her eyes, "Ah. sir. you SO remind OF my
dear departed. that can scarce keep my eyes on
from your face" This certainly was compliment
tary and the gentleman who had the honor of look
ing like the departed began to feel that his hitherto
modest opinion of himself not exactly the
thing. "Your husband. madam" he began. not
without certain tenderness in his tones. however.
"was. I believe. hne looking man. and who
was loved by every one; with clear eye and hand
some mouth; he was an old fashioned gentleman.
and had lovsble disposition think. assure
you I feel highly honOred in being able to remind
you of him." Then he was startled by the fearful
tones of the widow. who fairly broke down under
the effort. and was compelled to use her handker-
chief. ''Yes. yes. sir, you remind me of poor dear
John all the time but it isn't because you
like him. oh no; it's because you the very hop
posite OF him in every partcler."
Europe is just now pondering over . certain de-
fnition which Pope wrote on the back Of one of
Dean Swift's letters:-"A king-a scarecrow Of
straw. yet protects your corn"
What Goldsmith wrote criticism on the
French people may be safely stored away in our
memory one Of the laws of happiness:-
They please, are pleased, they give to get esteem
Till. seeming biest. they grow to what they seem.
During the hard times, from which nearly every
nation in Europe is suffering. and from which we
are ourselves just emerging one Is reminded, so
strict is the necessity for economy Of the story Of
the Irishman. When urged to buy portmanteau. he
naYvcly asked, "And what shall 1 buy it for?"
'.Why," was the reply. "to put your clothes in to
be sure "WhatI aud go naked?" said the political
economist.
Benvenuto Cellini tells that when as boy he
saw q salamander come out of the fire unhurt his
grandfather gave him q sound beating. that he
might the better remember unique prodigy.
There are q great many things which the boys OF
our own dayought to be made to remember in the
Same way.
lines by Mark Lemon:-
Taxes are equal. Is o dogma which
I'll prove at once, exclaimed = tory boor:
Taxation hardly presses on the rich.
4.- And likewise presses hardly on the poor.
A little philosophy makes the burden Of life much
easier A disconsolate man asked the reason for
his melancholy. II owe money. and cannot pay it,"
was the detected reply. "Then." said the comfort
ing philosopher. 'you had better leave your melan-
choly for your creditors to indulge in. Isn't 1t
enough that one Of tho parties should be sorry for
what neither Of the parties can help? And the poor
man went away with the cheering consciousness
that when is hopelessly insolvent 1t is bad
enough to have all his creditors unhappy without
indulgng in the same luxury himself.
Rich people can better afford to be religious than
others-for they can compel their servants to keep
the fssts of the Church. while they themselves keep
the feasts.
1t is best to do your duty. and neither wait for
the hattery nor fear the condemnation Of others.
What the poet wrote OF . fool. we may say Of the
world
Thy praise dispraise Is to me alike;
One doth not stroke me. nor the other strike.
DIR. KALLOCH'S SHOOTING.