1323
I would as soon attempt to entice a star
To perch upon my finger; or the wind
To follow me like a dog—as try to make
Some people do what they ought.
1324
ABBOTSFORD.
When Washington Irving visited Abbotsford, Sir Walter Scott introduced him to many of his friends and favorites, not only among the neighboring farmers, but the laboring peasantry. "I wish to show you," said Scott, "some of our really excellent plain Scotch people. The character of a nation is not to be learnt from its fine folks, its fine gentlemen and ladies; such you meet everywhere, and they are everywhere the same."
—Smiles.
1325
MEN—UNLUCKY.
Never have anything to do with an unlucky man. I never act with them. Their advice sounds very well, but they cannot get on themselves; and if they cannot do good to themselves, how can they do good to me?