Page images
PDF
EPUB

NATURE STILL AND STERN.

269

seen on the sides of the bald excoriated hills. Primeval rocks and external ice constitute the landscape. . . ..

During the whole period of our stay in Spitzbergen we had enjoyed unclouded sunshine. The nights were even brighter than the days, and afforded Fitz an opportunity of taking some photographic views by the light of a midnight sun. The cold was never very intense, though the thermometer remained below freezing; but, about four o'clock every evening, the salt water bay in which the schooner lay was veneered over with a pellicle of ice one-eighth of an inch in thickness, and so elastic, that even when the sea beneath was considerably agitated, its surface remained unbroken-the smooth round waves taking the appearance of billows of oil. If such is the effect produced by the slightest modification of the sun's power in the month of August, you can imagine what must be the result of his total disappearance beneath the horizon. an adequate idea of the intense rigour of the six months' winter in this part of the world. Stones crack with the noise of thunder; in a crowded hut the 'breath of its occupants will fall in flakes of snow; wine and spirits turn to ice; the snow burns like caustic; if iron touches the flesh, it brings the skin away with it; the soles of your stockings may be burnt off your feet before you feel the slightest warmth from the fire; linen taken out of boiling water instantly stiffens to the consistency of a wooden board; and heated stones will not prevent the sheets of the bed from freezing. If these are the effects of the climate within an air-tight, fire-warmed, crowded hut, what must they be among the dark, storm-lashed mountain peaks outside!

No description can give

LORD DUFFERIN, "Letters from High Latitudes."

POOR RICHARD'S WISDOM.

Father Abraham stood up, and replied,—If you'd have my advice, I'll give it to you in short; for “a word to the wise is enough; and many words won't fill a bushel," as poor Richard says.

"If time be of all things the most precious, wasting time must be (as poor Richard says) the greatest prodigality;" since, as he elsewhere tells us, "lost time is never found again; and what we call time enough, always proves little enough." Let us, then, up and be doing, and doing to the purpose: so by diligence shall we do more with less perplexity. "Sloth makes all things difficult, but industry all easy," as poor Richard says; and, "He that riseth late must trot all day, and shall scarce overtake his business at night; while laziness travels so slowly, that poverty soon overtakes him,” as we read in poor Richard, who adds, "Drive thy business, let not that drive thee;" and, "Early to bed, and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.”

[ocr errors]

If we are industrious, we shall never starve; for, as poor Richard says, "At the working-man's house hunger looks in, but dares not enter." Nor will the bailiff or the constable enter; for, "Industry pays debts, but despair increaseth them," says poor Richard. What though you have found no treasure, nor has any rich relation left you a legacy: "Diligence is the mother of good luck," as poor Richard says, and, "God gives all things to industry; then plough deep while sluggards sleep, and you will have corn to sell and to keep," says poor Dick. Work while it is called to-day; for you.

POOR RICHARD'S WISDOM.

271

know not how much you may be hindered to-morrow; which makes poor Richard say, "One to-day is worth two to-morrows;" and further, "Never leave that till to-morrow which you can do to-day." "If you were a servant, would you not be ashamed that a good master should catch you idle? Are you, then, your own master, be ashamed to catch yourself idle," as poor Dick says. When there is so much to be done for yourself, your family, and your country, be up by peep of day. Handle your tools without mittens; remember that "the cat in gloves catches no mice," as poor Richard says. It is true there is much to be done, and perhaps you are weak-handed; but stick to it steadily, and you will see great effects; for "continual dropping wears away stones, and by diligence and patience the mouse ate into the cable; and light strokes fell great oaks," Richard says in his Almanack..

as poor

[ocr errors]

And again, "Three removes are as bad as a fire;" and again, "If you would have your business done, go; if not, send." And again, "The eye of the master will do more work than both his hands ;" and again, "Want of care does us more hurt than want of knowledge." . . . . And further, "If you would have a faithful servant, and one that you like, serve yourself." And again, he adviseth to circumspection and care, even in the smallest matters, because sometimes, "a little neglect may breed great mischief;" adding, "For want of a nail the shoe was lost; for want of a shoe the horse was lost; and for want of a horse the rider was lost, being overtaken and slain by the enemy; all for want of care about a horse-shoe nail.”

So much for industry, my friends, and attention to one's own business; but to these we must add frugality, if

we would make our industry more certainly successful. A man may, if he knows not how to save as he gets, "keep his nose all his life to the grindstone, and die not worth a groat at last." "A fat kitchen makes a lean will;" and, "If you would be wealthy, think of saving as well as of getting the Indies have not made Spain rich, because her outgoes are greater than her incomes."

Away, then, with your expensive follies, and you will not have much cause to complain of hard times, heavy taxes, and chargeable families; for, as poor Dick says, “What maintains one vice would bring up two children.” You may think, perhaps, that a diet a little more costly, clothes a little finer, and a little entertainment now and then, can be no great matter; but remember what poor Richard says, "Many a little makes a mickle;" and further, "Beware of little expenses; a small leak will sink a great ship."

This doctrine, my friends, is reason and wisdom; but, after all, do not depend too much upon your own industry, and frugality, and prudence, though excellent things; for they may be blasted without the blessing of Heaven; and therefore ask that blessing humbly, and be not uncharitable to those that at present seem to want it, but comfort and help them. Remember, Job suffered, and was afterwards prosperous.

And now, to conclude, "Experience keeps a dear school, but fools will learn in no other, and scarce in that; for it is true we may give advice, but we cannot give conduct," as poor Richard says. However, remember this: "They that will not be counselled, cannot be helped;" and further, that "if you will not hear reason, she will surely rap your knuckles."

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.

A MAN BENT ON QUARRELLING.

A MAN BENT ON QUARRELLING.

273

Captain Absolute.-To what fine purpose have I been plotting! A noble reward for all my schemes, upon my soul! A little gipsey! I did not think her little romance could have made her so absurd, either. I never was in a worse humour in all my life! I could cut my own throat, or any other person's, with the greatest pleasure in the world.

Sir Lucius O'Trigger.-Faith! I'm in the luck of it. I never could have found him in a sweeter temper for my purpose to be sure, I'm just come in the nick! Now to enter into conversation with him, and to quarrel genteelly. With regard to that matter, Captain Absolute, I must beg leave to differ in opinion with you.

Captain A.-Upon my word, then, you must be a very subtle disputant; because, Sir, I happened just then to be giving no opinion at all.

Sir L.-That's no reason; for, give me leave to tell you, a man may think an untruth as well as speak one.

Captain A.-Very true, Sir; but if a man never utters his thoughts, I should think they might stand a chance of escaping controversy.

Sir L.-Then, Sir, you differ in opinion with me; which amounts to the same thing.

Captain A.-Hark ye, Sir Lucius; if I had not before known you to be a gentleman, upon my soul I should not have discovered it at this interview;-for what you can drive at, unless you mean to quarrel with me, I cannot conceive.

Sir L.-I humbly thank you, Sir, for the quickness of your apprehension (bowing); you have named the very thing I would be at.

T

« PreviousContinue »