they did in Emerson's time, there would be fewer failures.

335

When musing on companions gone
We doubly feel ourselves alone.

336

"Aye gang (always go) wi' them that's better than yerself."

--_Old Scotch Saying._

If this was done generally, there would be a levelling up, instead of a
levelling down.

337

Pleasant company shortens the miles.

338

COMPENSATION.

Mothers of many, with envious eyes,
Gaze as I drive through the evening cool,
Swift as I pass them, we mingle our sighs,
For my arms are empty--and theirs over-full.

"See her," they say, "with her laces and pearls!
All for the rich! 'Tis the world's common rule.
We have but rags for our boys and our girls;
Empty our pockets--her coffers are full."

Mothers! To yours, tender voices reply,
Little ones' hands at your skirts softly pull;
Widowed and lonely and childless am I,
Empty my heart--though my coffers are full.

--_Gus Gordon._

339

POOR AND RICH.

Art thou poor, yet hast thou golden slumbers?
O sweet content!
Art thou rich, yet is thy mind perplexed?
O punishment!

340

Every one must see daily instances of people who complain, from a mere
habit of complaining.

--_Graves._

341

A compliment is usually accompanied with a bow, as if to beg pardon for
paying it.

--_J. C. Hare._

342

Illuminate me with a ray of your intelligence!

343

Deference is the most complicate, the most indirect, and the most
elegant of all compliments.

344

_Legitimate Sport_--Those who fish for compliments deserve to get a
bite.

345

To attempt to advise conceited people is like whistling against the
wind.

--_Hood._

346

Never seem wiser, nor more learned, than the people you are with.

347

I've never any pity for conceited people, because I think they carry
their comfort about with them.

348

Conceit may puff a man up, but never prop him up.

--_Ruskin._

349

Many persons are obliged to their imagination for more than
three-fourths of their importan