The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1889-12-15

Happy the man who can say ard feel
that shis life Is richly worth Living. that this
Is . good world 10 i've in, that his Is the
best country in the World. that his i the
best state in the country. that his county Is
the beat in TIE state. that his city Is the best
ia the county. and that OF ali In the city
none are eaual 70 bis church. home, wife,
babies, or. ~ the case may be. his sweet
heart
He who ear talk and feel thus. and 60 no
further. may be crank, and fanatical. and
bigosed. and selfish, bat he viii be true
patriot, an active member Of the cnnrch, q
reliable citizen. and devoted husband.
father or lover, as the case may be. On
the whole, he viii be pleasant COM
p&ilion-
lie who, in addition TO the above, can
shape his inclination 50 as TO make the best
OF those things which he does not consider
quite ~ good rs the best, and even 70 make
the best Of those things which appear about
As bad as things can get 70 be, has found
the suress path 10 happiness for himself. TO
be beloved By bis felIow-men. 10 make them
hsppy. and toward making the world in
fact shat he has managed to make il seem.
The best ssarling-point towards this
hsppy contamination IL for the party
Aforesaid TO realize that he himself is not
quite perfect. IL Is not necessary that he
shall magnify his faults. or in q jaundiced
way accuse himself of those which have
no existence. or too grieyously hemoan
those which are bat trivial. but just In
general and happy-goIucky way confess
that he himself is not exactly an angel
This viz pat MIN in proper frame OF
mind for the next step.
Next let him consider the case OF his
neieAbor. In this case reverse the above
rnie Don't LEI the FIRST thought be that
Le i not perfect. On the contrary, let
BIN search honestly sTIa diligently for his
good qualities. II in such candid investi-
CATION OF a neiehbor's character, and in
spite of q kindly disposition 10 overlook
them. faults will obtrude themselves, it
would be well for the investigator TO COM
pare them with his own. and the chances
are that In ninety-nine cases out Of a
hundred q mountain will dwindle to the
proportions OF a molehill Above ell
things let him forswear the word ''but" in
discussing bis neighbor's character. In
stead Of the expression. John Doe Is good
fellow. but" adopt a rigid formula of.
John Doe Is good fellow and
Next. consider the climate. the sod. pub
lie officers and the government in the same
spirit Consider first what public officers
are doing or trying TO do rather than max
ing carpsag discovery of what they are
perhaps anxious but unable 10 do. II q
meraber of the legislature. give a fellow
member the same benefit OF doubt that
the Law gives 20 prisoner at the dock-be-
lieve him innocent until there Is evidence
Of his guilt, and don't suspect him Of a
steal In every measure that involves an APP,
preparation. This course Of stndy--tor
which no charge Is made-will develop the
happy frame OF mind described above. 1t
At least will ward on the bilious condition
which prompted Constance Howell, in the
October NafioaaIiss. 70 impose upon the
reading woEla q labored article % prove.
first, that civilized countries are NOT pros
porous; second, that civilization does not
stand for happiness; third, civilization
does not make people good, and
finally that civilization Is failure
Not content" says Miss Howell.
'but discomfort, is our duty"
Our social system" she says, is founded
on injustice and supported by force"
'.Under this system" she again remarks
.'unhappiness is the rule. and happiness
tie exception. ailments are common. sound
health is rare" 1t has no hope 70 offer. !"
II this doleful follower Of Edward Bel
lamy is not totally fauiiless. the course
above suggested would improve her cOndi-
ten, at least 20 the extent OF making her
better company, provided she talks as she
writes. She is mistaken in supposing that
all things in common weald make any
hoay happy and eontenied who looks 81
the present condition Of the world as she
does. Perhaps this world might be better.
but growing viii not make il 50. This Is
pretty good world, and il Is doubtful
whether Edwsrd Beiiamy could make a
better.