DIARIES.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 1518, 5 February 1886, Page 3

DIARIES.

Although sacredness is a purely subjective attribute of things, what is sacred to a Brahmiu being quite the reverse to a Christian for instance, the ridicule of anything held sacred, no matter by how small a minority, is not to be commended, simply because it is offensive. Still I cannot help quoting a burlesque of a type diary with which all readers of devotional memoirs are very familiar, it is so happy, and perhaps just also. I take it from " The Life of a Prig " —a religious satire, which is worth reading, because it is decidedly clever, and yet never oversteps the bounds of good taste. The entry is supposed to be written by a youth of sixteen, preparing for Oxford, and destined for the Church :

" Resolved to lose no opportunity of improving myself. While washing my teeth this morning, reflected upon the solemnity of life. In my bath, thought of my first parents in the Garden of Eden. While buttoning my braces, asked myself the question, ' What do I live for ? ' Much moved at family prayer with feelings of thanksgiving. Heads—That lamof a clergyman's family ; that I am a member of the Church of England; that I live within reach of a cathedral town ; that I am going to Oxford; that I have never been exposed to the temptations of school ; that 1 have the inestimable blessing of a mother who can read Greek. Resolution at breakfast not to talk much in society, or make myself too agreeable. A profitable morning Herodotus, trigonometry. For mortification at dinner, put sugar into beer and mustard into pudding, but secretly, lest being observed pride might supervene. Afternoon—walked with father to Hay hurst, where he had a funeral. Algebra, Hecuba, Greek verses, and Hume till tea. Feeling of oppression after tea. Thoughts ot death. What are those strange sensations from which I sometimes suffer ? Have I some mysterious disease ? How many have died young ? Why should not 1 ? Entertained myself by reading ' Anatomy of Melancholy' until supper time. Earnest conversation with Uncle George about the future of the Chinese missions. Felt much fervour at family prayers. In my own room, self-examination. Ob, how have I wasted the day ! Opportunities neglected ! Eaten too much at tea. Oh, why do we gorge ourselves with the luxuries of this life ? Resolution—will endeavour, as much as possible to check the flippancy of those around me."