Year: 1867




sicians and the like who are blind.
manned or unfortunate have a curious
way Of appealing at the same time to
the sympathics and the taste OF the pub
lie. We are puzzled sometimes to know
whether they would have us make them
objects of charity or Of admiration.
They very often set forth their misfor-
tunes more prominently than their art
1t is difficult at the same time to pity and
to admire person; the one emotion
generally swallows the other.


If man is really unfortunate the
fact that he can lecture, declaim or sing
is not calculated to make him more pitt
ful to us. If, on trial we find that he
fails in these accomplishments our pity
will not prevent us numbering him
among the humbugs. Misfortune never
sanctifies pretension If man appeals
to our sympathy we think he ought to
tell the truth. But If he does tell us the
truth as to what he can do, and do well,
he does not need our sympathy 80 far as
money is concerned; and money is his
object else he would be content to take
bis pay in sympathy.


We are always sad to see a beggar
If we think he is practising deception
we are sad and ashamed; for he is
man. If he is really unfortunate yet
does not appear to be ashamed to beg
we are ashamed for him in that he is not
manly, for we always look for traces of
a noblcr manhood amid the ruins of a
man. If he begs like a noble man we
honor him Notwithstanding he is a
beggar. We do not like beggar by
trade; we do not like to have him mix
inducements for us to give. To open
our purse through compound emotions
is very unsatisfactory way of doing.
We like to have definite motives We
like to feel certain whether we are giving
or paying. 1t is said that it is better to
give than to receive-If that is so let US
know whether we are giving or receiy-
ing Is it charitable business, or bust
ness charity!


One Of these lecturers or whateverhe
may be would scorn to be called beg
gar; then why not stand upon the merit
Of his business? Perhaps he has no
merit; then let him stand upon the
merit of his misfortune. Perhaps lie
has not misfortune enough on which he
may depend as a-busineSs: then let him
transact smaller buSiness-and call it
business. Let us have things by their
right names. Where there is not actual
want let us not have semi-beggars. We
have whole beggars enough on which to
bestow our extra cash, We do not in
tend to be harsh toward the unfortunate;
but when the unfortunate resort to trick IS
we protest. If man can lecture well
or sing well so as to command a good
audience on the merit of his gift, add a
hundred or more to his audience by
mourntully announcing the loss Of an
arm in the service Of his country may
be "sharp" but it is also mean Did he
not freely give that arm to his country
He processes to have gift by which he
can instruct or entertain the people.
Has not Providence been kind to him,
What if the peculiar gift had been taken
instead of the arm-then would he have
worked with both hands and appealed
to our sympathy for double wages
Perhaps he would But to our mind
he is a noble man who manfully makes
the best use of what Providence leaves
him.


Some people have very curious ideas
of patriotism, Poor soldier" they say.
"you have been shattered in war, take
up some fine art, go before the public
and stand upon the merit of your
patriotism" Now that is abominable
advice; it tends to demoralize both the
soldier and the art. If he is conscious
of ability why sneak into our sympathies3
We wutc jmperSOaaig-we do not by
virtue of being lawyer, preacher, SOL
dier or coal-digger ask your attention.
If we can say anything worth your
hearing We need not tell you that we
are supe"anuated lawyer or preacher
or MANNED soldier or coal-digger; nor
should your lecturer, elocutionist or
musician. Be either a professional
beggar or a beggarly professor. If
people are not certain which you are
they will not know hOtC to receive YOU
and some whom you most esteem will
not receive you at all.


We repeat it is difficult at the same
time to pity and to admire one of these
unfortunate professors. In fact he leaves
us in doubt as to what he would have
us do. If he does well we admire and
feel like paying him-he gives us the |
worth Of our money If he falsfies his
profession he is a dishonest beggar
There is dilemma somewhere.


Nobody likes to be tossed between
the horns of a dilemma. Nobody likes
to be fooled either by a lecturer or q
beggar. One man may regard it as an
affair of entertainment altogether We
do not like the arrangement. Oysters
and ice-cream are both nice; but we
can not imagine the one to be the other 4
Perhaps you say we make too fine a
point-well, it is the confusion ofchariy
and taste.


ssrA constable in Ken lucky, in pub