Correspondence.

Colonist, Issue 25, 15 January 1858, Page 4

Correspondence.

To the Editor of the Colonist. Sir,—lt must be a great pleasure, to men of generous minds, to'witness the comfort and independence of varioiis artizans, tradesman, and labourers. Freeddm of thought and behaviour naturally results from such a condition1. . Without any of that -falseness of pride which overestimates every p'eis'onal attribute or attainment, and uti'-ier-values another's desert, beauty,, or w/>rrh, each of our industrial neighbours is;invth'tse congenial circu'tnstiinces in which be1 may edslly exemplify 'the dignified" humility, always admired, but not so often attained. Ti»e exalted lowliness in allusion consists in feeling and acting in accordance with truth. It affects no mock simplicity in excess, if such may be ; it apes no demure meekness or sanctity; it counterfeits no modest viitue; it gently and strongly acts, but a'6s no borrowed part. Ail its qualities are native, or those which are superinduced, or are obtained by right means; and are appi dpi late as whole ome diet or/refreshment, to invigorate the coustitulion. The Humble mechanic or labourer is n-t a servile being, cringing and fawning like a spaniel or a cat, but, when true io his erect mau'hood, a respectful person .who honours all sorts of supposed excellencies iri another which his own breast hones ly venerates in the abstract or.in his owu conscious character. Knowing himself, he neither appraises his own stock of goodness, or knowledge, or wealth too highly,' nor plays the deceiver by rubbing his gold with quicksilver, as it were, to induce men to think tlidt such is his grace, such his marvellous godliness, he hides the divinity withiri him by making the sovereigns of His words and deeds look like common shillings. There is an artful, sanctimonious lying of this kind; for the sake of popularity of a certain sort, as reprehensible as slander; in fact, it is a viriu'ous self-slimier, to use so paradoxical a term, of one's wisdom, or attainments, or doings,—by way of saying there's a Saint for you! How lowly I am! When the thin covering of my Christian merits is worn off you will find a heavenly coin iriost precious, with a divine image dud superscription thereon ! But, afti-r all; we must not mistake the metal, in such cases; the lacquer only conceals a farthing, or, the poorest of Roman coins; there is neither better nature in it, nor Christian cr .intrinsic excellence. Pure humbleness of- spirit, consisting of exact conformity of the feelings, moral perceptions and principles .of action •to all we.' knoV of truth, it will follow that individuals, particularly in what are deemed the lower walks'of; life, will often be regarded as proud fur the very reason that, acting without giiile, they shape their expressions and demeanor rightly, without agreeing in', their deportment with custom, or the false Usages of society. Now we wish to dwell on the importance of our friends, ill the several departments of labour, aspiring after this goodly peculiarity of truthfulness in humility, inasmuch as their lot iri life is favourable to its growth and development. Not having been trained espalier-fashion, so as to suit the modes of a plausible, but external refinement merely, they spring into the purer sunshine arid air of more social benefits, secured by competence of a sober and moderate order, arid in the exercise of industry, which is ever promotive of the virtues, they become best enabled of any men to attain to excellence in this respect. Ori the other hand, when men, placed as they are, once begin to tread in the track of the stray sheep of popular fashion, every infected lock o( deceit that has grown on parties morally diseased, shakes its vermin of vice upon them at every step or turning of their career. There is a ■dowhrightne3s, imitative of unsophisticated worth,-—which is pride in plain clothes, and more primitive phrase. Mistaken people often array themselves m the same, and bluntly employ it.as a substitute for less pretending politeness, which is too. expensive for their coarser dispositions. But the well affected and truly humble man or woman rises to the truer, fairer sate of right kindness;, that has no ueed of anything abruptly rude, or au outspoken plainness which is so frequently nothing but

dogmatic arrogance; but this is mostly allowed by persons of discernment and taste, to be only a mere peremptory apology for ignorance and its offspring, pride.' , . , Hence; Sir, .whilst I esteem that nobleness of humility which, is the graceful counterpart of truth, and repudiate the disguise's of an affected lowliness, whether smoother or rougher, I would say that humble-minded pecJple are ever natural. What is it that pleases us, In their carriage arid delivery, but living nature, pruned aiid directed probably for fruitfuiness, but still Valthy nature, rooted and spreading by lively streams dffeVling. \ . A brother workman, this morning, having expressed his approval of these views, arid regarding them as being at least as good as some other'truisms that need repetition, I take the liberty of committing them to your care, for more extensive use. 1 ... ..-. '[ .. :, .- ■.:• JUS. ■■> Nelson, January 14, 1858.