It is a common proverb, in allusion to the superior fertility of the Roman soil over the Tuscan—that the Pope has the flesh of Italy, and the Grand Duke the bones. The Tuscans are industrious; and the Romans are lazy. I prefer the bones to the flesh!
Quere.—A writer on school discipline says that it is impossible to make boys smart without the use of the rod. What do you think of that, my young friends?
Similes.
“Pray, mother, what are similes?”
“They are resemblances, my child; the word simile means a thing that is like another. We often use them to give clearness and energy to our ideas. I will tell you some similes in common use, and put into rhyme so that you may remember them.
- “As proud as a peacock—as round as a pea;
- As blithe as a lark—as brisk as a bee.
- As light as a feather—as sure as a gun;
- As green as the grass—as brown as a bun.
- As rich as a Jew—as warm as toast;
- As cross as two sticks—as deaf as a post.
- As sharp as a needle—as strong as an ox;
- As grave as a judge—as sly as a fox.
- As old as the hills—as straight as a dart;
- As still as the grave—as swift as a hart.
- As solid as marble—as firm as a rock;
- As soft as a plum—as dull as a block.
- As pale as a lily—as blind as a bat;
- As white as a sheet—as black as my hat.
- As yellow as gold—as red as a cherry;
- As wet as water—as brown as a berry.
- As plain as a pikestaff—as big as a house;
- As flat as the table—as sleek as a mouse.
- As tall as the steeple—as round as a cheese;
- As broad as ’tis long—as long as you please.”
Proverbs and Sayings of the Chinese.
What is told in the ear is often heard a hundred miles.