Life and Literature Part 11

145

You can lead a boy to college, but you can't make him think.

146

PARENTAL AUTHORITY.

The boy who does not respect parental authority, will very soon be apt to repudiate all law, both civil and ecclesiastical, human and Divine.

147

THE BLIND BOY.

"O say! What is that thing call'd light, Which I must ne'er enjoy?

What are the blessings of the sight?

O, tell your poor blind boy!

You talk of wond'rous things you see, You say the sun s.h.i.+nes bright; I feel him warm, but how can he Make it day or night?

With heavy sighs I often hear You mourn my hapless woe; But sure with patience I can bear A loss I ne'er can know.

Then let not what I can not have My cheer of mind destroy; Whilst thus I sing, I am a king, Although a poor blind boy."

--_Old Magazine._

148

THE ORPHAN BOY'S TALE.

Stay, lady, stay, for mercy's sake, And hear a helpless orphan's tale, Ah! sure my looks must pity wake, 'Tis want that makes my cheek so pale.

Yet I was once a mother's pride, And my brave father's hope and joy; But in the Nile's proud fight he died, And I am now an orphan boy.

Poor foolish child! how pleased was I When news of Nelson's victory came, Along the crowded streets to fly, And see the lighted windows flame!

To force me home my mother sought, She could not bear to see my joy; For with my father's life 'twas bought, And made me a poor orphan boy.

The people's shouts were long and loud, My mother, shuddering, closed her ears; "Rejoice! rejoice!" still cried the crowd; My mother answered with her tears.

"Why are you crying thus," said I, "While others laugh and shout with joy?"

She kissed me--and with such a sigh!

She called me "her poor orphan boy."

--_Mrs. Opie._

149

Emerson said: "Give a boy address and accomplishments, and you give him the mastery of palaces and fortunes wherever he goes; he has not the trouble of earning or owning them; they solicit him to enter and possess."

150

A great man being asked what boys should learn, he replied, "That which they will use when men."

151

It is good to rub and polish our brain against that of others.

--_Montaigne._

152

Eaten bread is soon forgotten.

--_English._

153

Birth is much, but breeding is more.

154

Good breeding consists in having no particular mark of any profession, but a general elegance of manners.

--_Dr. Johnson._

155

Good breeding is the result of much good sense, some good nature, and a little self-denial.

156

_Climate_--The climate of Great Britain, as that of no other country in a like lat.i.tude, derives its peculiarity from its situation and from the prevailing winds, which are from the southwest, except in the months of April and May. The thermometer for six months in the year averages near 60 degrees, and seldom, if ever, drops below 36 degrees during the remaining six months, thus affording, according to all authorities, one of the healthiest climates in the world.

--_Students' Reference Work_, Edited by Chandler B. Beach, A. M.

157

_The n.o.bility of Great Britain_--The British n.o.bility is the most enlightened, the best educated, the wisest, and bravest in Europe.