of our fathers. We had travelled such great distances, seen so many wonderful things, spoken so many strange languages, and met with so many odd adventures, that any one would have thought we should never again wish to stir from our own firesides. It was doubtless a happy day when we left home; but it was a much happier one when we came back. Europe is worth the other three quarters of the world; but give me Old England, and you may take the rest of Europe to yourself, with Asia, Africa, and America into the bargain. A CAPITAL CHAPTER. Are these thy views? proceed, illustrious youth, JOHNSON. RISE early, and watch the rising sun as he flies abroad with wings of coloured light to proclaim the glory of his Almighty Maker, and offer up your praise and prayer to the Giver of all good. Enter steadily and fearlessly on the duties of the day. Be determined that no trial shall overcome your patience, and no impediment conquer your perseverance. If your object be a good one, say, "I will attain it!" and no doubt your word will be fulfilled. If you cannot say "I will," it is ten to one against your effecting your purpose. Never be found without an object. Ask yourself how you can do the most good; and when you have decided the point, throw your soul into your purpose. Never do good to obtain praise; this will be selling virtue at a price. Take a red-hot poker in your hand rather than a dishonest penny. Better be poisoned than perjured. Do no bad action to serve a good friend. Be indulgent to others' faults, but implacable to your own. Wage war with evil, and give no quarter. Die for the truth rather than live to uphold a lie. Never court needless danger, nor fly from a peril which duty imposes. Read good books, seek out good companions, attend to good counsels, and imitate good examples. Never give way to despondency. Does the sun shine? rejoice. Is it covered with a cloud? wait till the cloud has passed away. Roguery outruns Honesty; but he is soon out of breath, and Honesty overtakes and passes by him. No folly is greater than that of fancying yourself to be wise. Never go to bed till you are wiser than you were when you rose; for observation, experience, and reflection, the elements of wisdom, are the property of all who like to enjoy them. Be just in all things, for self-reproach is an intolerable burden, and an accusing conscience a bad bedfellow. Would you wear good shoes, walk nimbly in the path of duty. Before you begin a thing, ask if it be worth doing. Admire an oak-tree, but waste not your time in counting its leaves. The man depends on the boy; the peace of to-morrow on the actions of to-day. Sigh not over a trodden daisy, nor throw away your sympathy when there is so much misery in the world to require it. Lose your head rather than your integrity. I have heard the remark that it is better to be noble, than to be of noble birth; and, depend upon it, the saying is true. A crown of gold on the outside of the head, will not make amends for a lack of understanding within it. He who exchanges his own good opinion for that of others makes a miserable bargain. Thorn not thy finger with the thistles of controversy. Visit the abodes of the poor, and the avenues of thy own heart. It is better to walk with thine own feet than to ride in another's carriage. Many bow submissively to God's decrees so long as they prosper, who rebel against them when they are visited with adversity: add not thou to their number. He who is thankful |