The Russellville Democrat., 1881-08-04
THE r,usEnoLp.
The Giftie Gfo Us to See Ourselves . Others See Us.
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 Others See Us.
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 70. waf some power the gfftie gisus
 To see ourseives as ithers see us"
 Every enc, suppose has heard reDeat- edly this common quotation nom tke great Scottish poet, but very few have even ventured to imagine the conse- quence should this state Of affairs really exist The mighty troubles and dread confusions that would ensue should we view ourselves through the medium of our neighbor's eyes, or measure ourselves by his estimation of us, would put to rapid flight great many of our precon- ceived ideas of our own importance.
 These two views would De rather on the patent medicine principle, whose sign generally reads to the beholder Look on thIs picture, then on that 7 the difference being as striking and the result as flattering. Although our neigh bor's eve-sight may be quite as perfect as ours, and although he bets freely that he will never be obliged to wear specs, still there is always slight cloud be- tween his eyes and your good actions, a cloud that gives misty appearance to what looks very bright and clear to you.
 Twas ever thus since Eve talked with snake, and on scientific principles twill so continue until the wicked heart of man is reconstructed and made over according to a different pattern. The present heart, however. will need great deal of alteration before it can be cut to fit the perfect pattern of Charity & Co.," some alarming here, patching there, "cutting 'cording to ones cloth" etc, before the new style will be any im- provement on the old. If Charity's mantles are so much admired, what an advantage a whole outfit from the same manufactory would be to the world.
 If the long g.winded minister could only see himself through the sleepy gaze oi bis congregation as be comes to hIs Now, sixthly, my brethren" his ora- torical flights would not be so untram- meled and the "seventhly" and "eighth. lyn of his discourse would be hastily omitted.
 If the annual spring poet could see himself as the poor oppressed editor the unhappy recipient of his mild efiu. sions-his rawlings over the woodland green" and @.daisies sweet" would be confined to hif own appreciative bosom. . And If we each and ali could see our selves by the light of our neighbor's s candle this world would contain more dissatisfied mortals than even a census taker would imagine. The wish of Burns is quite proper and pleasant from a po- etical point of view, the metre IS good, the words blend musically together, and all goes as merrily as marriage bell until the practical benefits of the inno- vation are discussed. It is then seen how uncomfortable Mrs. Smith would be if she knew how Mrs. Jones had criticised her new spring bonnet; and how angry Brown would be if he knew all the girls voted him 'the greatest bore in town, , and how true the old saying, "where ignorance is bliss 'tis folly to be wise"
 So let us all return thanks that what. ever is, is right" and not sigh for the power to bestow gift which most prob ably would reduce our self fcomplasency from the boiling rointto several degrees below zero; and seeing ourselves az others see us, realize that if such is life, then by all means give us death.