Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1880-04-16
The Compensations of Life 1t is

true that there are but few miseries that
do not bring happiness sooner or later to
balance them. There is always something
to be grateful for in the troubles and repin-
ings if we take the pains to hunt for il. The
evils which besct us are more imaginary than
real after all, and II suitable remedy is gen
orally within reach to counteract their bane-
full influences 1t only requires courage,
alertness and presence of mind to combat
successfully mislortunes in every shape, The
first insidious approach of mental despair or
irresolution should be shaken off with the
energy of desperation. The mental eqNi-
poise should be guarded with jealous care
and vigilance Like the delicate mechan-
ism of a watch, the nicely balanced wheels
of thought should he kept free from vio-
lent shocks or those corroding, eating cares
those petty, daily annoyances which i'll
temper, jealousy or envy engender and ban
ish all sunshine and happiness from life,
BY making the best use of the present with
out pausing to think it might have been bet
ter we make life most agreeable to ourselves
and others, which, after all, is the meaning
and object OF existence. He who lives for
himself alone has not only TO pay the pen
atty of misguided counsels, but the far
weightier one Of following impulses and
desires of which sellishness and egotism are
the handspring. The anxiety and care for
others, the responsibility of watching over
something besides ourselves are the strongest
safeguards against our own hearts and pas
sions. Happiness comes from sense of
duty performed and obligations fulfilled.
Ii is not altogether dependent upon external
objects. No circumstances, however, can
bring happiness or contentment to the heart
that is callous or depraved 1t is Il flower
which must he nurtured tenderly ere its
sweet lips part to kiss the hand that gave it
birth or repay with its fragrance the debt OF
love
1t is said by some writer that we are hap
piest just before being happy, and that the
object of our desires loses its attraction when
reduced 10 POSSESSION. But this feeling,
whether it arise from safety or disgust, is
the result OF over-indulgence All excess is
injurious. No man who has proper consid-
Grafton for his stomach will eat salmon, lob
ster or cheese just before retiring There is
a natural law of reaction which fixes a limit
to human joy and pain. The conlectioner
who has his shop filled with sweatneats is
easily surfeited with them. The man who
is harrassed by al blue devils" the avenging
Nemesis of dyspepsia, after eating syrup and
tannel-cakes for supper naturally shoulders
at the memory Of the hdeous dreams they
inspired Nature is II faithful sentinel and
her language is unequlvocal To transcend
the limit Of happiness we inevitably incur
the penalties Of excess. Prudence should die
tate moderation in all things. Two criminals
were about to be hung; an immense crowd
gathered to witness their execution, and, AZ
they mounted the gallows, connection
arose in the crowd and cries of agony rent
the air, some unfortunate wretch having fall
len under the feet of the mob. Said one Of
these happy fellows to the other; "Ah, Tom
amt you glad you are not in that crowd p
| Wherever We look we find compensations
and balances There is subtle distinction
however, between being contentcd and sat
istied; one is the triumph of mind oven
matter, the other the passiycness Of animal
instincts. The hog, when he has had his
pail of swil, is satisfied, but man is never
satisfied with his achievements in the broad
est meaning OF the word. 1t is his nature to
be restless-eyer struggling onward and
upward.