[VARIETIES.]
“Mother” in fourteen languages.—Here are fourteen varieties of the word “Mother,” all bearing a distinct resemblance—Anglo-Saxon, Modor; Persian, Madr; Sanscrit, Matr; Greek, Meter; Italian, Madre; French, Mère; Swedish, Moder; Danish, the same; Dutch, Moeder; German, Mutter; Russian, Mater; Celtic, Mathair; Hebrew, Em; Arabic, Am.
Don’t be Indiscreet.—An indiscreet girl does more harm than an ill-natured one, for the latter will only attack her enemies and those she wishes ill to, but the other injures indifferently both friends and foes.
Ladies and Gentlemen.—Coolness and absence of heat and haste indicate fine qualities. A gentleman makes no noise; a lady is serene.—Emerson.
The Greatest Event in Life.—Marriage is the greatest event in life. It is also a new beginning of life. It is a home for the lonely, a haven of rest for those who have been too much tossed by the storms of life. It is the best and most lasting thing. It is heaven upon earth to live together in perfect amity and disinterestedness and unselfishness to the service of God and man until our life is over.—Jowett.
Words for Music.—Too much thought in words intended for music has a disturbing and over-weighting effect. Music does not only deepen emotion, it sometimes obscures the meaning. Hence the poet must meet it with a concession. The most effective words for songs are simple, slight, lucid, with unity—a simple idea worked out to one climax.
Avarice.—A neighbour once refused another the loan of his well. The latter was thus compelled to sink one himself, and in so doing he tapped his neighbour’s spring, so that his neighbour’s well ran dry. Thus avarice ofttimes defeats itself and benefits its enemy.