forms and colours, or the partially deaf receive into his ears the full melody of sounds. When all around us in nature, in art, in science, the attributes of the Creator, the stirring interests of life, afford such varied, such profitable, such inexhaustible topics of conversation, it certainly does seem perverse in us to reject them, and turn to the veriest trifles, the veriest inanities. Let it not be supposed that I object to wit and humour, when restrained within the bounds of reason and propriety; but wit and humour, to have any charm for persons of taste and discrimination, ought to be as replete with sense as the honey-comb is with honey; and against that species of wit that would sacrifice truth, religion, and moral sentiment, in short, all that wisdom and feeling revere, for the sake of a bon-mot, every right-minded person, would, it is hoped, protest. Well would it be for society, if all those who indulge a vein of wit and satire, could declare, with Fontenelle, that they never exercised it at the expense of virtue. am a Frenchman," says Fontenelle, "I am eighty years of age, and yet I have never ridiculed the smallest virtue."

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There is also much danger that an unrestrained indulgence of wit and humour may prove inimical to truth, since those who give themselves up to it, may insensibly, and without any intentional infringement of it, by a perpetual straining after apparent and partial agreements and disagreements, disqualify their minds for the recognition

of truth, when it is set before them; and thus, all their notions may gradually become perverted. This condition of the mind would be a serious misfortune, for which the most brilliant wit would poorly compensate.

Much speaking ought no more to be considered an indication of talent than much laughing of exuberant happiness. Although it is undeniable that many very eminent individuals, and capable of talking to the purpose, have been great talkers, it is equally undeniable, that the majority of persons given to much volubility, will be found talkers of nonsense; their much speaking leaving them no time either for the acquisition of knowledge or for reflection.

Silence, it is true, may be the shell in which ignorance and dullness entrench themselves; but even silence, under such circumstances, is better than foolish speaking. "The lips of talkers will be telling such things as pertain not unto them; but the words of such as have understanding, are weighed in the balance. Some man holdeth his tongue, because he hath not to answer; and some keepeth silence, knowing his time. A wise man will hold his tongue till he see opportunity; but a babbler and a fool will guard no time. Speak, young man, if there be need of thee; and yet scarcely when thou art twice asked. Let thy speech be short, comprehending much in a few words; be as one that knoweth and yet holdeth his tongue. If thou be among great men, make not thyself equal with

M

them; and when ancient men are in place, use not many words. If thou hast gathered nothing in thy youth, how canst thou find anything in thine age? If thou be amongst the indiscreet, observe the time: but be continually among men of understanding. Repeat not to another that which is told unto thee, and thou shalt fare never the worse. Whether it be a friend or foe, talk not of other men's lives; and if thou canst without offence, reveal them not. If thou hast heard a word, let it die with thee; and be bold, it will not burst thee."*

Almost equal in wisdom are these words of another Oriental, albeit not a sacred author, in reference to egotism, which is great indiscretion. "If a man be heard in his own praise, it is unprofitable boasting; and if he speaks to his own discredit, it will be deemed he has not said all the evil of himself which he might have done; it is better therefore, not to speak of self at all.Ӡ

PERSONAL TALK.

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That petty scandal to which too many are addicted, is the indiscretion of malevolence. propensity to petty scandal may grow upon a person out of the smaller beginnings of personal talk; that evil habit of discussing the concerns of our neighbours which arises from a lack of original * Ecclesiasticus.

† Lord Chesterfield goes so far as to say, "I would allow no man to speak of himself, unless in a court of justice, in his own defence, or as a witness."

ideas, and the ill-directed operation of such ideas as the mind may contain.

This habit has always been most prevalent in small societies, where individuals are almost all known to each other. Hence the scandal of highlife, so notorious; for although the circles of the fashionable world may be wider than those of a country neighbourhood, those moving in them are, for the most part, known to one another. It is, however, in a dull country neighbourhood, that petty scandal, or in other words, personal talk, flourishes the most luxuriantly. There, no concern in life, however trivial, is deemed too trivial for inquisitorial scrutiny. Even the Exclusives of the district, though they condescend not to associate generally, are often found descending to the meanness of prying, through the agency of servants, into the household arrangements of their neighbours, and making such the subjects of discourse and animadversion.

Wordsworth, in the first of four sonnets, devoted to this subject says,

"I am not one who much or oft delight
To season my fireside with personal talk
Of friends who live within an easy walk;
Of neighbours daily, weekly in my sight:
Better than such discourse, doth silence long,
Long barren silence square with my desire;
To sit without emotion, hope or aim,
In the loved presence of my cottage fire;
And listen to the flapping of the flame,
Or kettle whispering its faint undersong."

In the three succeeding Sonnets, the Bard, in a

strain of true philosophy as well as of noble poetry, proceeds to declare the remedy for the foible in question, or rather the preservative against it, as manifest in his own person.

66 Wings have we, and as far as we can go
We may find pleasure, wilderness and wood,
Blank ocean and mere sky, support that mood,

Which with the lofty sanctifies the low;

Dreams, books, are each a world; and books we know

Are a substantial world, both pure and good;

Round these, with tendrils strong as flesh and blood,
Our pastime and our happiness will grow,
There find I personal themes-

Great gains are mine, for thus I live remote
From evil speaking; rancour never sought,
Comes to me not: malignant truth or lie!
Hence have I genial seasons, hence have I

Smooth passions, smooth discourse, and joyous thought."

A blessed consummation; and does not the heart whisper that it is a natural one, and that herein is revealed the secret both of wisdom and happiness? Time and mind occupied with nobler thoughts and pursuits; the contemplation of nature, books, meditation – purer tastes cultivated, finer sympathies awakened; in a word, Education, which although it may not be able to form a Wordsworth, is fully capable of achieving all the rest. If we are careful to direct our children's attention to such objects as are likely to improve them; provide for them interesting and rational occupations; and, above all, scrupulously abstain from personal talk and satirical comments upon our neighbours in their presence, there will be no danger of their