Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

strengthening the character. "Pour moi," said Montaigne, "qui ne demande qu'à devenir plus sage, non plus savant." Of course, as Bacon said, we must "read, not to contradict and confute, nor to believe and take for granted, nor to find talk and discourse, but to weigh and consider."*

A great schoolmaster is said to have threatened his pupils that if they did not love one another he would flog them. But moral lessons, however correct, if given coldly and sternly are little likely to be effective, while a kind word, a generous thought, even a tone or a look, may kindle and change a whole character.

But while noble, the profession of the schoolmaster is fatiguing, exhausting, and most responsible. The Hindoos considered that the child depended more on the teacher than on either the father or mother. But even apart from the relationship there are few children who do not learn more from their parents than from any teacher, however learned or inspiring. It is unnecessary to attempt impossible comparisons. We shall all do well to remember that, as Fénelon said, "Notre corps est semblable aux bêtes, et notre âme est * Bacon,

semblable aux anges. Il faut bien choisir les images qu'on y doit gravir; car on ne doit verser dans un réservoir si petit et si précieux que des choses exquises.”*

But while it is difficult to exaggerate what good schoolmasters and schoolmistresses can do for children, good fathers and mothers-especially mothers may do more. St. Jerome advised Læto to send him her daughter and he would educate her; but Fénelon, when consulted in a similar case, strongly dissuaded a friend from sending her daughter to some nuns. A mother, he said, was much better than any convent.

Men are generally fairly faithful to their ideal of a man. The temperate man shrinks with horror from the idea of being drunk; the drunkard thinks it natural that a man should drink if he has the money; the sluggard thinks that every man would be as idle as he dared; the industrious man cannot understand anyone not working his best; if a man believes that courage is manhood, he will face death without shrinking.

Evidently, then, it is most important to instil lofty ideals into the minds of the young. It is surely an inspiring thought that we can all do something to extend * De l'éducation des filles.

the bounds of human knowledge. Education begins in the nursery, and ought only to close with life. It ought certainly not to end with the school or university. It has failed in its object unless it raises the character, gives dignity and interest to life, and enables us in some degree to appreciate the wonders and beauty of the world in which it is our privilege to live.

CHAPTER IX.

ON FRIENDS AND ENEMIES.

SOME people take much trouble to make enemies. It is a sad waste of time. Enemies make themselves quickly enough generally too quickly. No doubt a wise enemy is less dangerous than a foolish friend. Still it is but rarely that an enemy is any use, generally Moreover, those who are useful are never those we make for ourselves. Unquestionably, however, enemies have their uses. For instance, they often warn us of faults, against which a mistaken kindness might prevent our own friends from warning us. Moreover, an enemy is an enemy.

the reverse.

misunderstanding possible.

There is no doubt or Friends are not always

[ocr errors]

sincere; enemies always are. But professed friends are sometimes the bitterest and most dangerous foes. Marshal Villars, when taking leave of Louis XIV. on going to take the command of the French forces, is said to have begged the king to "defend me from my friends, I can protect myself from my enemies."*

“An old friend is like old wine, which, when a man hath drunk, he doth not desire new, because he saith the

Saw old is better."** But every old friend was new once; and

if he be worthy, keep the new one till he becomes old.

One of the greatest pleasures of life is the association with kindred spirits; one of the greatest trials is loneliness. But loneliness of space is nothing compared to loneliness of spirit. The pain of losing friends shows how much we owed to their presence.

however, who loves Nature need ever be lonely.

No one,

In history there are no more touching episodes than the love of friends. Pylades, whose affection for Orestes was proverbial, and Jonathan, whose devotion to David "exceeded the love of women," are among the most charming characters in history.

* The same saying is attributed to Francisco Sforza.
** Jeremy Taylor.

It is difficult to make a true friend, and when made the treasure should be carefully kept.

Those friends thou hast, and their adoption tried,

Grapple them to thy soul with hoops of steel.*

Keep them under thine own life's key. Friendship is doubly blessed; it renders prosperity more brilliant, and adversity more bearable. Cherish them, help them, work for them, defend them, stand up for them if attacked, rejoice with them if they prosper, sympathise with them in evil times, console them if they are in trouble.

The Arabs think it unpardonable treachery to attack

Though

a man who has eaten your salt; and so it is. the Romans had a proverb that many bushels of salt must be eaten before a real friendship could be formed, if you are not going to treat him as a friend, do not invite him to your house.

It is better to see imaginary charms and virtues in a friend, than to overlook merits or magnify faults. Joubert wrote to Madame de Beaumont: "Portez-vous mieux; c'est le seul changement que je désire en vous.”** But while we may reasonably hope much from our

* Shakespeare.

66

**"I wish your health was better; it is the only change in you which I should like to see."

« AnteriorContinuar »