Dr. Franklin says, "The eyes of other people are the eyes that ruin us. If all but myself were blind, I should

neither want a fine house nor a fine furniture."

I have often wondered how every man loves himself more than all the rest of men, yet sets less value on his own opinion of himself than on the opinion of others.

They who by imitations covet fame,
Oft incur dangers, and solicit shame;
For though the bright original we prize,
His abject imitator all despise.*

Men usually follow their wishes till suffering compels them to follow their judgment.

Who lives to nature rarely can be poor;

Who lives to fancy never can be rich.

--YOUNG.

THE TWO BRACELETS.

A Farmer General, one Monsieur B

Who dwelt in France when Louis held the throne, Lived like a Prince, from every trouble free,

Except a wife,-(th' exception's large, I own),

*From Bewick's Select Fables.

For she was fat as any Marchioness,
And given to extravagance in dress.

One day she brought a pair of bracelets-such
As few but Royal damsels would bespeak;
They cost-I cannot recollect how much,

But they were quite magnificent-unique,-
And having clasp'd them on, away she flies
Off to the Opera to show her prize.

It happen'd that the Queen was there that night,
Just opposite the box that Madam took,
And on the bracelets with intense delight
Frequently look'd-or else appear'd to look;
For she took special care to have them seen,
As if on purpose to outvie the Queen.

Soon to the box-door came a Page, attired
In the Queen's proper liv'ry, all in style.
And in the name of Majesty required

One of the bracelets for a little while,
That by her eye she might the pattern take,
And order some of the exact same make.

Off went the sparkling bauble in a trice,

While her rouged cheeks with exultation burn, As, bowing to the Royal party thrice,

She patiently expected its return ;

But when the Queen retired, and none was sent,
Our dame began to wonder what it meant.

A Lord in waiting soon confirm'd her fears:

"Oh, that pretended Page I've often seen,A noted sharper,-has been such for years.

Madam, you 're robbed, he came not from the
Queen :

I knew the Rogue, and should have had him taken, But that he slipp'd away, and saved his bacon."

Boiling with anger, Madam call'd her coach,
And drove to the Bureau de la Justice,
Where with loud tongue, and many a keen reproach
About the shameful state of the Police,

She call'd upon the Provost for relief,

And bade him send his men to catch the thief.

Early next morn she heard the knocker's din ;
Her heart beat high, with expectation big,
When lo the Provost's clerk was usher'd in,-
A former consequential little prig,

Who, with a mighty magisterial air,

Hem'd! and began his business to declare.

Madam, a man is brought to our Bureau,

On whom was found a bracelet of great cost, And we are all anxiety to know

Whether or not it is the one you lost; Wherefore I'll take the other, if you please, Just to compare, and see if it agrees."

"Dear Sir, I'm overjoy'd-'tis mine, I'm sure; Such a police as our's how few can boast! Here, take the Bracelet-keep the rogue secure. I'll follow you in half an hour at most; Ten thousand thanks-I hope you will trounce the spark,

Open the door, there, for the Provost's clerk."

O! how she chuckled as she drove along,

Settling what pangs the pilferer should feel; No punishment appear'd to her so strong,

E'en should the wretch be broken on the wheel;

For what infliction could be reckon'd cruel,
To one who would purloin so rich a jewel?

Arrived at the Bureau, her joy finds vent:

"Well, Mr. Provost, where 's the guilty knave? The other bracelet by your clerk I sent,

Doubtless it matches with the one you have; Why, then, outstretch your mouth with such surprise,

And goggle on me thus with all your eyes?"

"La! bless me, Ma'am you 're finely hoax'd-good lack!

I sent no clerk, no thief have we found out, And the important little prig in black

Was the accomplice of the page no doubt;— Methinks the rascals might have left you one, But both your Bracelets now are fairly gone !"*

From Gaieti ́s and Gravities.

53. FAULT-FINDING, CHARITY, &c.

Among the folks who're extra good
It's quite a solemn task to-day

To watch their neighbours lest these should
Occasionally go astray.

It may be beautiful-but still

The man who's so extremely prone
To mend the faults of others, will

Most probably neglect his own.

"PICK-ME-UP."

First think of yourself and then find fault with others.

-DAYARAM.*

Remember your faults, and don't be too hard upon

others.

An evil-minded man is quick to see

His neighbour's faults, though small as mustard seed;

But when he turns his eyes towards his own, Though large as Bilva fruit, he none descries.t -" MAHABHARATA."

Many find fault without an end, yet do nothing at all to mend.

Improve rather by other men's errors, than find fault with them.

* A Gujarati poet.

-OLD SPANISH PROVERB.

From Indian Wisdom by Monier Williams.