The gospel of cheerfulness, I had almost said the gospel of amusement, is preached by people who lack experience to people who lack vitality. There is a vague impression that the world would be a good world if it were only happy, that it would be happy if it were amused, and that it would be amused if plenty of artificial recreation - that recreation for which we are now told every community stands responsible - were provided for its entertainment.

For indeed all that we think so new to-day has been acted over and over again, a shifting comedy, by the women of every century.

The dog is guided by kindly instinct to the man or woman whose heart is open to his advances. The cat often leaves the friend who courts her, to honor, or to harass, the unfortunate mortal who shudders at her unwelcome caresses.

It is difficult to admonish Frenchmen. Their habit of mind is unfavorable to preachment.

If history in the making be a fluid thing, it swiftly crystallizes.

A world of vested interests is not a world which welcomes the disruptive force of candor.

Erudition, like a bloodhound, is a charming thing when held firmly in leash, but it is not so attractive when turned loose upon a defenseless and unerudite public.