Hippogriff, n. An animal (now extinct) which was half horse and half griffin. The griffin was itself a compound creature, half lion and half eagle. The hippogriff was actually, therefore, only one-quarter eagle, which is two dollars and fifty cents in gold. The study of zoology is full of surprises.

Birth: The first and direst of all disasters.

The fact that boys are allowed to exist at all is evidence of a remarkable Christian forebearance among men.

CAVILER, n. A critic of our own work.

BRAIN, n. An apparatus with which we think that we think. That which distinguishes the man who is content to be something from the man who wishes to do something. A man of great wealth, or one who has been pitchforked into high station, has commonly such a headful of brain that his neighbors cannot keep their hats on. In our civilization, and under our republican form of government, brain is so highly honored that it is rewarded by exemption from the cares of office.

Meekness: Uncommon patience in planning a revenge that is worth while.

HUSBAND, n. One who, having dined, is charged with the care of the plate.