Items of Interest.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 440, 18 August 1904, Page 7

Items of Interest.

HISTORY.— The letter of instructions, which the old generations write and posthumously transmit to the new; the messages, verbal or written, when all mankind delivers to every man.—Carlyle. Think well over your important steps in life, and having made up your minds, never look behind.—Thomas Hughes. A pound of energy with an ounce of talent will achieve greater results than a pound of talent with an ounce of energy.— William Matthews. It is only a great mind or a strong char, acter that knows how to respect its own provincialism, and can dare to be in fashion with itself.—J. R. Lowell.' Hard words are like hailstones in summer, beating down and destroying what they would nourish if they were melted into drops. Duty.—The shadow which cleaves to us, go where we will, and which only leaves us when we leave the light of life. —W. E. Gladstone. The will of God will be done; but 0, the unspeakable loss for us if we have missed our opportunity of doing it! —Brooke Foss Westcott. Whoever tries to do his duty faithfully is fulfilling the purpose for which he was created, and building up in himself the principles of a manly character.—Smiles. All which is real now remaineth . And faileth never; ~._,..• The hand which upholds it now, sustaineth The soul for ever. —Whittier.....

BGauty has been the delight and the torment of the world ever since it began. There is something irresistible in a beauteous form. The most severe cannot pretend that they do not feel an immediate prepossession in favour of the handsome. At the same time the handsome should bear this in mind, that no one can bestow this gift upon themselves, nor retain it when they have it.—Steele.

Great battles are really won before they are actually fought. To control, our passions, wo must govern our habits, and keep watch over ourselves in the small details of everyday life.—Sir John Lubbock.

We need to begin at thirty to be tolerant, patient, serene, trustful, sympathetic, and liberal. Then, at fifty, we may hope to have 'graduated with honours' from life's school of wisdom, and to be prepared for another score or two years of usefulness and enjoyment in the practice of these qualities. . . . Educate yourself for a charming old age. There is no time to ..lose.—Ella Wheeler Wilson.

0 ye, who that love is sweet, Set way-marks for all doubtful feet That stumble on in search of it. Sing notes of love; that some who hear Par off, inert, may lend an ear, Rise up and wonder and draw near. <- Lead life of love; that others who Behold your life, may kindle, too, With love, and cast their lot with you. . —Christina Rossetti.

Tho painter who is content with the praise of the world in respect to what does not satisfy himself is not an artist, bnfc an artisan; for though his reward be only praise, his pay is that of a mechanic for his time, and not for his art. He that seeks popularity in art, closes the door on his own genius; as he must needs paint for other minds, and not for his own.—W. Allston.

Thing truly and thy thoughts Shall the world's famine feed ; Spoak truly, and each word of thine Shall be a fruitful seed ; Live truly and thy life shall be A great and noble creed. —Horatius Bonar

No great work is ever done in a hurry. To develop a great scientific discovery, to paint a great picture, to write an immortal poem, to become a minister, or a famous general—to do anything great requires time, patience, and perseverance. These things are done by degrees, ' little by little.' Milton did not write 'Paradise Lost' at a sitting, nor did Shakespeare compose 'Hamlet' in a day. The greatest writers must begin with the alphabet, the most famious musicians once picked out their notes laboriously ; a child must learn to draw a straight line before he can develop into a Titan or a Michael Angelo.—W. J. Wilmot Buxton.

None so little enjoy life, and are such burdens to themselves, as those who have nothing to do. The active only have the true relish of life. He who knows not what it is to labour, knows not what it is to cn Joy. Recreation is only valuable as it unbends us ; the idle know nothing of it. It is exertion that renders rest delightful and sleep sweet and undisturbed. That the happiness of life depends on the regular prosecution of ; some laudable purpose, or lawful calling, which engages, helps, and enlivens all our powers, let those bear witness who, after spending years in active usefulness, retire to enjoy themselves.— Joy.