NIBBLES FROM GEORGE ELIOT.

Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 11, 28 May 1920, Page 4

NIBBLES FROM GEORGE ELIOT.

There are moments when by strange impulse we contradict our past selves — fatal mcinents, when a fit of passion, like a lava stream, lays low the work of half our lives. In every parting there is an image of death. Animals are such agreeable friends — they ask no questions, tbey pass no criticisrns. We are apt to be kinder to the brutes that love us than to the women that love us. Is it because the brutes are dumb ? One of the lessons a woman most rarely learns is never to talk to an angry or a drunken man. Mankind is not disposed to look na.rrowly '.nto the conduct of great victors when thei" victory is on the right side. The happiest women, like the happiest naiions, have no history. "People who love downy peaelies are aoi not to think of the stone, aud sometimes jar their teeth terribly against it." "If you get hold of a chap that's got no shame nor conscience to stop him, you must try what you can do by bunging his eyes up." — Adam. "You're mighty fond o' Craig; but for my part, I think he's welly like a cock as thinks the sun's rose o' purpose to hear his crow." There s folks 'ud stand on their heads ani tlren say the fault was i' their boots." — Mrs Poyser. I tell you there isn't a thing under the sun that needs to be done at all, but what a man can do better than a woman, nnless it's beating children, and they do

that in poor make-shift way ; it had better ha' been left to the men— it had better ha' been left to tbe men."— Bartle Massy. Mrs Tulliver, as we have seen, was not without inflnence over her husband. No woman is; she can always incline him to do either what she wishes, or the reverse. Hard speech between those who hava loved is hideous in the memory, like ti.e sight of gmatness and beauty sunk into viee and rags. Half the sorrows of women would be averted if they could repress the spemh they ltnow to be useless — nay, the speech they have resolved not to utter. a b&chelor's children are always yo \ug ; they' ro immortal children — always lisp>. :g. waddling, helpless, and with a chance of tnrning out good. One must be poor to know the luxury of giving ! "Marriage is a taming thing." — Caleb Qarth. In all failures, the beginning is certairly tlie half of the whole. A -woman dicates before mamiage m order that she may have an appet'te for submission afterwards.