Position is not always gained by merit.

Withhold 'not good from them

going by railway and walking over a ploughed field,
whether you adopt common sources or set up one for
yourself. You will see, if your times are anything like
ours, most inferior persons highly placed in the army,
in the church, in office, at the bar. They have some-
how got upon the line, and have moved on well, with
very little original motive-power of their own. Do
not let this make you talk as if merit were utterly
neglected in these or any professions: only that getting
well into the groove will frequently do instead of any
great excellence.

Whatever happens, do not be dissatisfied with your worldly fortunes, lest that speech be justly made to you, which was once made to a repining person much given to talk of how great she and hers had been"Yes, madam," was the crushing reply, "we all find our level at last."

Eternally that fable is true, of a choice being given to men on their entrance into life. Two majestic women stand before you: one in rich vesture, superb with what seems a mural crown on her head, and plenty in her hand, and something of triumph, I will not say of boldness, in her eye; and she, the queen of this world, can give you many things. The other is beautiful, but not alluring, nor rich, nor powerful; and there are traces of care, and shame, and sorrow

To whom it is due.

God helps those who help themselves.

The hand of the diligent shall bear rule.

Do that which is good,

in her face; and-marvellous to say-her look is
downcast and yet noble. She can give you nothing,
but she can make you somebody. If you cannot bear
to part from her sweet, sublime countenance, which
hardly veils with sorrow its infinity, follow her-follow
her, I say, if you are really minded so to do; but do
not, while you are on this track, look back with ill-

concealed envy on the glittering things which fall in
the path of those who prefer to follow the rich dame,
and to pick up the riches and honours which fall from
her cornucopia. This is, in substance, what a true
artist said to me only the other day, impatient, as he
told me, of the complaints of those who would pursue
art, and yet have a fortune.

SIR ARTHUR HELPS.

BE merry, but with modesty; be sober, but not sullen; be valiant, but not venturous; let your clothes be comely, but not costly; your diet wholesome, but not excessive; mistrust no man without cause, neither be thou credulous without proof. Serve God, fear God, love God, and God will so bless you as either your heart can wish or your friends desire.

And thou shalt have praise.

LYLY.

He that refuseth reproof erreth.

He lives long who lives well.

Always be ready.

SIR JOHN PAKINGTON'S Three Rules.

AM indebted for whatever measure of success I have attained in my public life, to a combination of moderate abilities with honesty of intention, firmness of purpose, and steadiness of conduct. If I were to offer advice

to any young man anxious to make himself useful in public life, I would sum up the results of my experience in three short rules-rules so simple that any man may understand them, and so easy that any man may act upon them. My first rule will be, leave it to others to judge of what duties you are capable, and for what position you are fitted; but never refuse to give your services in whatever capacity it may be the opinion of others who are competent to judge that you may benefit your neighbours and your country. My second rule is, when you agree to undertake public duties, concentrate every energy and faculty in your possession with the determination to discharge those duties to the best of your ability. Lastly, I would counsel you that, in deciding on the line which you will take in public affairs, you should be guided in your decision by that which, after mature deliberation, you believe to be right, and not by that which, in the passing hour, may happen to be fashionable or popular.

Sow ill, reap ill.

Wisdom is better than weapons of war.

The highway of the upright is to depart from evil.

Every man's judgment

RELIGION.

FOR thy religion, distinguish not thyself by` be not factious for, nor serve under any sect whatever; be thou a Christian, the most pure, certain, noblest worshipper of God of all others. But if thou art pressed to give thy name up to any one profession, inquire after and embrace that whose principles conduce most to piety, that which comes nearest to the doctrine of Christ. And in the examination of questions in religion, though I am no divine, yet I dare venture to guide your conscience thus far. Be careful still to search into the consequences of a doctrine; rely upon the Scriptures which are, without exposition, plain; and which, if they offer injury to the attributes of God, rendering them such as we should abhor ourselves to be, or if they open the gate to looseness and profanity, by no means give them entertainment. Lastly, labour diligently to find the truth when God shall enable you with abilities for that great work, for I would not have you owe your religion to your education only; and for your encouragement to the search of this truth, heedfully remember the most excellent saying of our blessed Saviour "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God or man."

Cometh from the Lord.

Do they not err that devise evil?

Evildoers shall be cut off.

A Sabbath well spent,

God never denied Himself to him that sought Him
by prayer and holiness of life. And when you have
thus happily found this divine truth, embrace it sin-
cerely, and follow it constantly, and be sure to give
it honour by your conversation.

EARL OF BEDFORD.

MAN AND CIRCUMSTANCES.

NSTEAD of saying that man is the creature of circumstance, it would be nearer the mark to say that man is the architect of circumstance. It is character which builds an existence out of circumstance. Our strength is measured by our plastic power. From the same materials one man builds palaces, another hovels; one warehouses, another villas. Bricks and mortar are mortar and bricks, until the architect can make them something else. Thus it is that in the same family, in the same circumstances, one man rears a stately edifice, while his brother, vacillating and incompetent, lives for ever amid ruins. The block of granite, which was an obstacle on the pathway of the weak, becomes a stepping-stone on the pathway of the strong.

G. H. LEWES.

Brings a week of content.

The way of man is not in himself.