An Objection to Hatred.—Plutarch says, very finely, that a man should not allow himself to hate even his enemies; for if you indulge this passion on some occasions it will rise of itself on others.—Addison.
Amusement for the Wise.
Amusement is not an end, but a means—a means of refreshing the mind and replenishing the strength of the body; when it begins to be the principal thing for which one lives, or when, in pursuing it, the mental powers are enfeebled, and the bodily health impaired, it falls under just condemnation.
Amusements that consume the hours which ought to be sacred to sleep, are, therefore, censurable.
Amusements that call us away from work which we are bound to do are pernicious, just to the extent to which they cause us to be neglectful or unfaithful.
Amusements that rouse or stimulate morbid appetites or unlawful passions, or that cause us to be restless or discontented, are always to be avoided.
Any indulgence in amusement which has a tendency to weaken our respect for the great interests of character, or to loosen our hold on the eternal verities of the spiritual realm, is so far an injury to us.
Fish against Fry.
The following jeu d’esprit was suggested by an action at law some years ago, in which the parties were a Mr. Fry and a Mr. Fish:—
“The Queen’s Bench Reports have cooked up an odd dish,