passes for agreeable, is made up of civility and falsehood.

A short and certain way to obtain the character of a reasonable and wise man is, whenever any one tells you his opinion, to comply with it.

What is generally accepted as virtue in women, - is very different from what is thought so in men: a very good woman would make but a paltry man.

Some people are commended for a giddy kind of good humour, which is as much a virtue as drunkenness.

Those people only will constantly trouble you with doing little offices for them, who least deserve you should do them any.

We are sometimes apt to wonder to see those people proud, who have done the meanest things; whereas a consciousness of having done poor things, and a shame of hearing them, often make the composition we call pride.

An excuse is worse and more terrible than a lie: for an excuse is a lie guarded.

Praise is like ambergris; a little whiff of it, and by snatches, is very agreeable; but when a man holds a whole lump of it to your nose, it is a stink, and strikes you down.

The general cry is against ingratitude; be sure the complaint is misplaced, it should be against vanity. None but direct villains are capable of wilful ingratitude; but almost every body is capable of thinking he has done more than another deserves, while the other thinks he has received less than he deserves.

I never knew a man in my life, who could not bear another's misfortunes perfectly like a Christian.

Several explanations of casuists, to multiply the catalogue of sins, may be called amendments to the ten commandments.

It is observable that the ladies frequent tragedies more than comedies: the reason may be, that in tragedy their sex is deified and adored, in comedy exposed and ridiculed.

The character of covetousness is what a man generally acquires more through some niggardliness, or ill grace, in little and inconsiderable things, than in expenses of any consequence. very few pounds a year would ease that man of the scandal of avarice.

A

The people all running to the capital city, is like a confluence of all the animal spirits to the heart; a symptom that the constitution is in danger.

The wonder we often express at our neighbours keeping dull company, would lessen if we reflected, that most people seek companions less to be talked to than to talk.

Amusement is the happiness of those that cannot think.

A contented man is like a good tennis-player, who never fatigues and confounds himself with running eternally after the ball, but stays till it comes to him.

Two things are equally unaccountable to reason, and not the objects of reasoning; the wisdom of God, and the madness of man.

Many men, prejudiced early in disfavour of mankind by bad maxims, never aim at making friendships; and, while they only think of avoiding the evil, miss of the good that would meet them.

They begin the world knaves, for prevention, while others only end so after disappointment.

The greatest things and the most praiseworthy, that can be done for the public good, are not what require great parts, but great honesty: therefore for a king to make an amiable character, he needs only to be a man of common honesty, well advised.

Notwithstanding the common complaint of the knavery of men in power, I have known no great minister, or men of parts and business, so wicked as their inferiors; their sense and knowledge preserve them from a hundred common rogueries; and when they become bad, it is generally more from the necessity of their situation, than from a natural bent to evil.

A man coming to the waterside is surrounded by all the crew: every one is officious, every one makes applications, every one offering his services; the whole bustle of the place seems to be only for him. The same man going from the waterside, no noise is made about him, no creature takes notice of him, all let him pass with utter neglect !-the picture of a minister when he comes into power, and when he goes out.

Pope.

OTH

OLD ENGLISH PROVERBS.

In every work begin and end with God.
The grace of God is worth a fair.

He is a fool who cannot be angry; but he is a wise man who will not.

So much of passion, so much of nothing to the purpose.

'Tis wit to pick a lock and steal a horse, but 'tis wisdom to let it alone.

Sorrow is good for nothing but for sin.

Love thy neighbour; yet pull not down thy hedge.

Half an acre is good land.

Cheer up, man, God is still where he was.
Of little meddling comes great ease.
Do well, and have well.

He who perishes in a needless danger, is the devil's martyr.

Better spare at the brim, than at the bottom. He who serves God, is the true wise man. The hasty man never wants woe.

There is God in the almonry.

Prayer brings down the first blessing, and praise the second.

He is a proper man who hath proper conditions. Better half a loaf than no bread.

Beware of Had-I-wist.

Frost and fraud have always foul ends.

Good words cost nought.

A good word is as soon said as a bad one.

Little said soon amended.

Fair words butter no parsnips.

That penny is well spent that saves a groat to its master.

Penny in pocket is a good companion.

For all your kindred, make much of your friends. He who hath money in his purse, cannot want a head for his shoulders.

'Tis ill gaping before an oven.

Where the hedge is lowest, all men go over.
When sorrow is asleep, wake it not.

Provide for the worst, the best will save itself. A covetous man, like a dog in a wheel, roasts meat for others to eat.

Speak me fair, and think what you will.

Serve God in thy calling; 'tis better than always praying.

A child may have too much of his mother's blessing.

He who gives alms, makes the very best use of his money.

Heaven once named, all other things are trifles.
The patient man is always at home.

Peace with Heaven is the best friendship.
The worst of crosses is never to have had any.
Crosses are ladders, that do lead up to Heaven.
Honour buys no beef in the market.

Care-not would have.

When it rains pottage, you must hold up your dish.

He that would thrive must ask leave of his wife. A wonder lasts but nine days.

The second meal makes the glutton; and the second blow, or second ill word, makes the quarrel. A young serving man, an old beggar.

A pennyworth of ease is worth a penny at all times.

As proud comes behind as goes before. Beware of the geese when the fox preaches. Look not on pleasures as they come, but go. Fools build houses, and wise men buy them, or live in them.

Opportunity makes the thief.

Out of debt, out of deadly sin.
Pride goes before, and shame follows after.