A QUEEN'S THOUGHTS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1049, 11 February 1911, Page 13

A QUEEN'S THOUGHTS.

. . r« — : • . In tho form of a dainty booklet, Mr. Lano publishes tho "Golden Thoughts of Carmen Sylva, Queen of Roumariia," translated (by permission) by 11. Sutherland Edwards. Tho- epigrams hero collected .mako pleasant reading. . In the preface the translator contrasts the Queen of Houmania's "Thoughts" with . tho "Maxims" of La Rochefoucald. In this he does some 'injustice*to'.his. original. Carmen Sylva hardly belongs to.the samo of intellect as the great Frenchman; her sayings havp littlo of his brilliance and incisiveness, and make . a quieter and more gonial appeal to tho reader. ' Perhaps some of this greater geniality they owo to tho eox of their writer. But whether or no tho Queen of Koumania bo tho equal of La Rochefoucald, the book "is worth reading on its own account, and will mako on aceptablo gift at this season of tho year when gifts are so much in vogue. As examples of her wit and wisdom the following sentences are given:— • ■

"When two women of intelligence can extract nothing from a man, bo sure there is nothing in him."

"You can only bo witty when thoso around you aro witty; too. Tho cock crows in vain to tho ducks; they do not understand him."

"By too much talk the gold of our thoughts is so turned into small change that wo appear poor;" .

"It needs as "many rcflcclions to produco a thought as it docs generations to produeo a thinker."

"Dnty knits her brows only when you fly from her. . Follow her, and sho smiles."

"Be a Puritan yourself,' but do not insist on Puritanism in others."

"To every • mortal is granted a tongue and ovon a pen to defend himself. Sovereigns alono aro expected to bo like God, who allows Himself to be slandered without replying."

"Ono often hears the phrase, Tut not vour trust in princes!' quoted from the Bible; but tho rest of tho verse, 'for they also aro men,' is ' overlooked."

"Tho profession of queen requires but thrcß qualities; beauty, bounty, and fecundity."

"Prudery is a perfume which disguises a vitiated atmosphere." '

"To strengthen an affirmation men call God to witness, knowing that God will not contradict them,"

"When a man loves his children with an excess of passion, bo suro that ho is not happy.", ,

"Do not marry a woman whoso mouth droops at tho corners, Even were her month n cherry you Would find tho fruit bitter."

"In correcting the faults of their children'women keep above all in view those of their husband and his family."

"Man tosses liko a bull or crushes liko a bear. Woman nibbles liko a mouso or squeezes like a serpent."

"Men study a woman as they . study tho barometer; but they do not understand till tho day after."

"A woman docs not become a mother; she is a mother from her birth. A numerous family satisfies her .vocation, but does not crealo it."

"To strugglo against friends true courage is required. It is liko..putting nut your own firo to remain in the cold."

"Tho faults of your husband or your wifo are insupportablo only so long as you insist on correcting them, Put up with 'them o» you do •with' the anicll' of your dan— because- you like, him."-