Year: 1871

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the foregoing. A child is unruly its
tutor desires to make clean breast of
the matter and secure reformation.
He prepares an already timber birch by
roasting it in the fire, that it may fit
the more snugly to unruly pedestals.
After proper mental preparation, the
lower limbs of the STRIPPING are tickled
into hralthy glow, perhaps to rather
an exhilarating smart. Feelings of fear
and suspense leave vivid recollection
upon the mind. The actual suffering
imprints the whole affair deeply in the
mental organization, and altogether
they form a sort of negative illusion,
which the child will avoid provoking
anew; just as puppy will shun hot
poker. The illusion is fixity that will
last, and with it, in the minds eye, the
child will so on acting in the same way
most likely to develop a good character.
Caution will sprout up and grow as
surely as cucumber will grow under
the influence of a warm April shower


Taller children have their illusions
The youth preparing for college, or
even studying we'll on in the course, has
but little idea of the scope and aim of
education. College rank, some glitter
ing prize at the years end, some worthy
honor conferred at the termination of
the course, is held out as inducement
to superhunan efforts. The bait is
readily taken; the prize is often won,
but that is not what is gained after all.
The illusion only served to spur the
hundred>and>one competitors on, while
all have obtained more or less discipline
of the mental powers, more or less
power of independent and consecutive
thought, more or less fxity of purpose
and perseverance. While pursuing the
coveted illusion. the man himself has
been unconsciously growing-all the
good points of a mental giant have been
developing, and the prlze, when obtain.
ed, is like the boys butterfly when
caught, only little dust in the hand.
The period at which men start in life,
is period of most vivid illusions. The
young merchant and the young profess
sional are both alike full OF hope, and
impatient for the consummation OF
plans that only time can convince are
not to be realized. Wealth, honor,
fame, are beautiful castles that seem
almost within the grasp-beautiful,
bright illusions that are quite as beau
tiful for being illusions as if they we're
real, for high attainments depend not
so much upon what is really possessed,
as upon what is hoped for. No one finds
what he expects, yet everyone makes
some approach towards his ideal. Life
is fresh, full of exuberance. bright in
hope, and if one object evades, there is
always another at hand.


The young man about to wed the
illusion of his heart, soul and mind, sees
the future all brilliant with visions Of
domestic bliss there is the ideal some
body which he is too blind to see in her
real character the one that makes life
worth living under any circumstances,
and equally intolerable under any cir
cumstances if not possessed the untold
and unmeasured joys of supposed
virtuous union; supply of lively,
cheerful spirits that are never to fai


during all the lonely evenings by the
domestic fireside; spirits ever bright


and congenial, tested beyond the possi-


bility of failure by few hours inter


course once q week, for three month.


or more. Enticing dreams of affection


already partially realized, that are Il


increase and grow more and more real


as month after month, and year afte


year, glides sweetly by. Who can hesi,


tate to embark 10 such delectable mod,


OF existence as this2 Alas many


gloomy day is ushcred in by gluriou


flood Of sunlight Go, when the dream


is passed, when the life is nearly yended


and illusion no longer needed, and asl


the worn out, sobered pilgrim, now vel


covered with the dust of the battle O


life, what has been the result of all hi


earliest fancies? J? Will he admit one O


them to have been a delusion, or eve


one to have been entirely fulfilled
He will tell you his happy days hav


been few and far between, his domesti
bliss, always land flowing with mil
and honey, which be was just about {
possess, but upon which he never quit
entered. Senses, expectations, antic
patrons and affections, all-all one hug
illusion, that the more you seek, til
surer you become that you will win
: the next trial; bnt the beauty of it il
that like tomorrow, it is always just
little way ahead.


, What, now, is the aim and scope
} illusion in life? Is it mere amusemer
; and nothing more? Nay, it is til
{ handspring of all life's activities, th
} grand driving-wheel of all human enc
: gies. If, at the outset of game
chess, or of croquet, the partners kne
! the result as accurately rs at the en-,
i they would never play the game.