REFLECTIONS.

Waikato Times, Volume II, Issue 101, 21 December 1872, Page 3

REFLECTIONS.

Whosoever is wise is apt to suspect and be diflklent of himself, and on that; iini'ount, is willing to " hearken unto counsel ; whereas t.lio foolish man, being in proportion to his folly Cull of himself, and swallowed up in conceit, will seldom take any counsel but his own, nnd for that very reason, because il, is his own. The best, dinners are those at, which all the guests can join in a common conversation, 1.0 wliich the host being within hearing ( ,f all his purty can give the proper lead. Suel dinners alone ran be agreeable to all, because no one is dependent on the liveliness of his or her nearest neighbour tor conversation, No one who wishes that, conversation should be pleasant to his neighbours as well as himself should speak more than two or three sentences at once. IFowever much he may have to say, it. will be all the move agreeably said for giving others the opportunity of indenting, illustrating, qualifying, or oven contradicting. The ball needs to be returned by the opnnsite player to malic a lively game. Man'n love is but. one of many feelings : in the scholar it is subservient to his thirst for knowledge ; in the patriot, it yields to the worship of country ; glory halves the heart of the soldier ; but in woman the alleetions arc omnipotent : <hev absorb all other thoughts, and make all other passions their slaves. The merit of some people is principally in the clearness of their perceptions, while the worth of others is mainlv in (he strength of their aft'oet.ions. The former appreciates without loving ; tho latter love without appreciating. It requires more virtues to make a good husband or wife, than what go to the finishing of tho most shining character whatsoever. The suggestions of conscience ought in every case to be regarded, not only because they lire true, but because they are important. .Uarrving a woman for her beauty is like eating a bird for its sweet .singing. Man asks two questions, '• Can you love me ?" and " Will you marry me? ,, IT a woman is too quick in answering the lirst, lie seldom asks the second. It is a way some people have of making themselves perspicuous in company, and they know no happiness without it. Lnless they can be the central point in a room, the persons to whom the largest amount of attention is given, and who attract, all regard, they are miserable ; if they are senitive as well as vain, fretting at being snubbed ; if only vain, chitting at undeserved neglect. .Mow little some of us know of the happiness to be found in that quiet gliding through life which gives all its pleasures without its penalties, and grants the sunshine without tho scorch ! J low little we know of tho graver sense of glory in concealed power !

It is a good thin*: to know how to speak one's native tongue correctly, and a good thing to liave learned to listen well to our pnrlners in conversation. In short, it is a good thins to bo able to communicate mil' ideas to others without wearying or 3 ing them either with ourselves or with our subjects ot conversation. But it is a better thing to haro good ideas and a kind heart , .. A few simple words from an honest heart, or looks of brotherly or si-terly sympathy, are far preferable, 1 think, to nny amount of artistic discourse by one who is chiefly concerned about the manner of his 'conversation rather than iibout its matter.

I know some houses well built and handsomely furnished, where it is not pleasant to be even a visitor. Sharp, nncry tones resound through thorn from morning till ni'cht, and .are. as contusions jh the measles, and much more to be dreaded. The children catch them, and they continue for life. A friend had such a neighbour within hearing of her house, and even Poll Parrot had caught the tone, and delighted in screaming and scolding, until she had to be sent into the country to improve her habits. Children catch cross I mes quicker than parrots, and it is a much more expensive habit. Where a mother sets the example you will scarcely hear a pleasant word anions: the children in their play with eneh other. \eb the discipline of such a family is weak and irregular. The children exneet so much scolding before they do anything they are bidden, while in many a home where the low firm voice of the mother, or a decided look of her eye, is law, they never think of disobedience- either in or out her sight. Oh ! mothers, it is worth a great deal to cultivate that excellent thins in a woman, a low, sweet voice. If you Hiv ever si much tired by the mischevious or wilful pranks of the little ones, speak low. It will be a great help to you, even to try to be cheerful, if you cannot wholly succeed. Ancer makes you wretched and your children d<o. Im-

patient, angry tones never did the heart good, but plenty of evil. Read what Solomon says of them, and remember that he. wrote with an inspired pen. You cannot, have the excuse for them that, they lighten your burdens any, for they make them ten times heavier. For your own, as well as your children's sake, learn to speak low. They will remember that one tone when yon are under the willows. So, too, would they remember a harsh and angry voice. Which lcijaev will you leave vour children ?