Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-08-20
FOot-RuIes.
observations of a Philosophical Friend
of Ours)

observations of a Philosophical Friend
of Ours)
Distrust not wisdom;
She deserts thee not, if thou distrust her
not
BY attributing over-much to things less
excellent,
AS thou myself percievest. Milton.
No carpenter goes without a foot-rule.
And no one is without some sort Of mea-
sure Of what seems to be good useful,
enjoyable. and desirable. without stand
ards, rules. weights and measures,
things, generally, are mixed and bewil-
dering.
In the earliest stage Of our existence
we are blest in having no choice nor
judgment, only instinct that makes us
crave with all our being, the mothers
milk and the mothers care. But as our
natures open and expand and our appe-
tites and wants multiply. the necessity
Of refusing the evil and choosing the
good becomes more pressing. and the
knowledge of good and evil more and
more important; and standards, ideals.
tests more and more indispensable
Indeed, the differences between men and
degrees of happiness are determined by
their standards and by the zeal with
which they pursue or adhere TO them. The
apostle tells us of men whose God Is
their belly and who mind earthly things.
To these quality and quantity Of food are
matters Of the highest consequence, and
their measure Is a measure OF good. To
these a big and elegant feast is in the
nature of Heaven. To others muscular
strength and physical activity Is thing
greatly to he admired and desired. ON
the other hand, there are those TO whom
Imagination and intellect are alone eN-
celent In truth, heather mythology
tells the tale Of humanity, and each god
and goddess is the impersonation OF some
passion, appetite, craving, or ruling ldea
that controls some nature. Some are
whole-souled worshippers of one god;
some of another; some of many. The
ideals and desires of life are the gods
that they worship. And the gods vary
from the crude idol Of the African 10 the
top OF power and mind OF passion In the
great love that the prOudest might adore.
Il is a matter very much concerning
our everyday comfort and eYenness ana
peace OF mind 10 have our moral and in
tollectual foot-rule about us that we may
justify and satisfactorily judge and est'-
olate men and things. a man in the
company OF convyants. as they talk
leaIredly and admiringly of dishes ana
wines that he knows nothing about, may
feel exceedingly small, and wish that he
were more familiar with cookery-books
and winners. Another, where muscle is
made much Of, may count himself a lilfi-
putian. and wish that he were giant
nT..tttt Of vel
clans, or biologists, or historians, or
higher critics, man Of excellent average
of intelligence general knowledge, prac-
teal usefulness, and good citizenship,
may feel like pitiful dwarf and isnora-
mus while the magnates display their
learning. And these very professors ana
sages, In the company OF nnanciers ana
mllllonaires, may be made TO feel that all
their light II extinguished by the brill
liancy Of those gllttering lumnaries.
Every dog has his day.
1t IL very unpleasant thing
10 be- out OF ones element; TO
be forced in place where other
idols than our household gods are
worshipped In common society, where
the world. the flesh and the devil are In
mower. IL Is pretty trying for an ordinary
man TO hold his own and be true to his
standard. But II ia fearful az great re-
sorts. where wealth, and pride, and sell
6shness gather to display and spread
themselves. There every natural grace
and loneliness is In danger of being dis
credited. And bold-faced ugliness ana
pomp and selhshness impose their killing
SWAY: emulations. strifes. envies. and evil
speakings make the air and darkness
visible of the place. The overwhelming
disgrace is TO be poor unlucky, and out
OF fashion. Truth. sincerity, aud honest
naturoiness are altogether unconyention-
al. l.,
There is very little satisfaction IN
hating mammon worshippers. man can
helm being disguised. But it Is OF the
supremest Importance that man should
have his foot-rule about him. by winch
"a measure the worthiness and respect
ability of men and women, and mat ne
take good care to be true TO his stand
ards. otherwise, he may ma himself
bowtng to idols equal to the Egyptians.
More than once sensible men. coming 10
themselves. have exclaimed In the WORDS
Of Caiiban:
wbv what a thrice doubled ass was !,
To take this drunkard for king,
And worship this dull fool!