A wise man changes his opinion-the fool never.

Do well and have well.

Napoleon, with his gigantic industry, alternating with
such apparent idleness, is an example of energy.

We do not mean to imply that chronic indolence,
if relieved occasionally by spasmodic fits of industry,
is to be recommended. Men who have this character

run into the opposite extreme of that which we have
been stigmatising, and fail as invariably of securing
success in life. To call their occasional periods of
application energy, would be a sad misnomer. Such
persons, indeed, are but civilised savages, so to speak;
vagabonds at heart in their secret hatred of work, and
only resorting to labour occasionally, like the wild
Indian who, after lying for weeks about his hut, is
roused by sheer hunger to start on a hunting
excursion. Real energy is persevering, steady,
disciplined. It never either loses sight of the object
to be accomplished, nor intermits its exertions while
there is a possibility of success. Napoleon on the
plains of Champagne, sometimes fighting two battles
in one day, first defeating the Russians and then
turning on the Austrians, is an illustration of this
energy. The Duke of Brunswick, idling away
precious time when he invaded France at the out-
break of the first Revolution, is an example to the
contrary. Activity beats about a cover like an un-
trained dog, never lighting on the covey. Energy
goes straight to the bird at once and captures it.
FREEMAN HUNT.

Well is that well is.

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes.

Eagles fly alone, but sheep herd together.

Perseverance overcometh difficulties.

THE LADDER OF LIFE.

HE steps from the bottom of the ladder of fortune to the summit are not many, nor, after a knowledge of what they are constituted has been acquired, are they difficult to ascend. Each has a name and a nature which must be distinctly learned and understood by all who would seek to climb. The first step is faith, and without this none can safely rise; the second, industry; the third, perseverance; the fourth, temperance; the fifth, probity; and the sixth, independence. Having gained this position on the ladder, the future rise is easy; for faith will have taught the climber never to doubt or despair; industry will have kept him from vice, either in thought or deed; perseverance will have shown him how easily difficulties are surmounted when calmly met; temperance will have preserved both health and temper; probity will have ensured respect and given stability to the character; and independence of spirit, while it gives dignity to the man, will also gain the admiration of the world. One step more has to be acquired, which is experience, the only true knowledge of life, and then the summit of the ladder is within easy reach.

Acquire and beget a temperance.

The word of an honest man's enough.

Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall.

Often a man's own angry pride

EARL STRAFFORD TO SIR WILLIAM
SAVILLE.

IVE in your own house; order and understand your own estate; inform and employ yourself in the affairs of the country; carry yourself respectfully and kindly towards your neighbours; desire the company of such as are well governed and discreet amongst them, and make them as much as you can your friends; in country business keeping yourself from all faction; and at the first be not too positive, or take too much upon you, till you fully understand the course of proceedings; for, have but a little patience, and the command and government of that part of the country will infallibly fall into your hands, with honour to yourself and contentment to others; whereas, if you catch at it too soon, it will be but a means to publish your want of understanding and modesty, and that you shall grow cheap and in contempt before them that shall see you undertake that, where you are not able to guide yourself in your own way.

Be sure to moderate your expense, so as it may be without foolish waste or mean savings; take your own accounts, and betimes inure yourself to examine how your estate prospers, where it suffers, or where it may be improved; otherwise there will such an

Is cap and bells for a fool.

Virtue is bold, and goodness ever fearful.

Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee.

Look not upon the wine when it is red.

easiness and neglect gather upon you, as it may be
you will never patiently endure the labour of it whilst
you live, and so, as much as in you lies, cast from you
that which tends most to the preservation of your
fortune of any other thing; for I am persuaded few
men that understood their expense ever wasted; and
few that do not ever well govern their estate.

For your servants, neither use them so familiarly
as to lose your reverence at their hands, nor so dis-
dainfully as to purchase yourself their ill-will; but
carry it in an equal temper towards them, both in
punishments and rewards.

Let no company or respect ever draw you to excess in drink, for be you well assured that if ever that possess you, you are instantly drunk to all honour and employments in the State; drunk to all the respects your friends will otherwise pay you, and shall by unequal staggering paces go to your grave with confusion of face, as well in them that love you as in yourself. Therefore abhor all company that might entice you that way.

Spend not too much time, nor venture too much money, at gaming; it is a great vanity that possesseth some men, and in most is occasioned by a greedy mind of winning, which is a pursuit not becoming a generous noble heart, which will not brook such starving considerations as those.

In a word, guide yourself in all things in the paths

The Lord is good to all.

To be courteous to inferiors is a duty.

Laziness shall cover a man with rags.

Idleness is the parent of crime.

of goodness and virtue, and so persevere therein that
you may thence take out those rules which, being
learnt, may, when it comes to your turn, as well grace
and enable you to lead and govern others as, whilst
you are learning of them, it will become you to follow
and obey others; and thus shall you possess your
youth in modesty, and your elder years in wisdom.

God Almighty prosper and bless you, in your
person, in your lady, in your children, and in your
estate, wherein no friend you have shall take more
contentment than your most affectionate uncle and
most faithful friend,

Dublin Castle, this 29th of December, 1633.

STRAFFORD.

IDLENESS.

HE most concealed, and yet the most violent of all our passions, is usually that of idleness. It lays adamantine chains of death and of darkness upon us. It holds in chains, that cannot be shaken off, all our other inclinations, however tempestuous. That no more mischief is done in the world, is very much owing to a spontaneous lassitude on the minds of men, as well as that no more good is done.

An idle brain is the devil's workshop.

The devil's an enemy to mankind.