144. THE SUN. (HYMN OF RIG-VEDA THEREON). Risen in majestic blaze, Lo! the Universe's eye, Vast and wondrous host of rays, Shineth brightly in the sky. Soul of all that moveth not, See, he followeth the Dawn Look, his horses mounted high, Run their course the heaven along! Such the majesty and power, The worker leaves his task undone; His steeds are loosed, and over all When he rides in noontide glow, And when he sets, his absent might Hear us, O ye Gods, this day! Hear, O hear us graciously! "RIG-VEDA." * Hymn translated in verse by Griffith, from Mrs. Manning's "Ancient and Medieval India." 145. TEMPER. An easy temper is a good counsellor, and a pleasant tongue is an excellent leader. "JAVIDAN KHIRAD."* He is happy whose circumstances suit his temper, but he is more fortunate, who can suit his temper to any circumstances. Of all bad things by which mankind are cursed, There is a medicine for every disease, a cure for But none can cure a man's nature by any means. "What is the best thing that has been given to man ? was the question. The prophet (Muhammed) replied, "A good disposition." "MISHCAT-UL-MASÂBIH.”‡ All cannot be beautiful, but they can be sweet-tempered, and a sweet temper gives a loveliness to the face more attractive in the long run than even beauty. Have a smile and a kind word for all, and you will soon * From Ancient Iranian and Zoroastrian Morals by D. J. Medhora. † A Gujarati poet. Translated from Arabic by Captain Matthews. be more admired, nay, loved, than any mere beauty. A sweet temper is to the household what sunshine is to the trees and flowers. KING CHANG AND HIS SECRETARY. Chang king was president of the High Court of Criminal Cases, and being obliged to make on the following day his report to the Emperor upon an affair of consequence, which fell out in the evening, he called for a secretary, and drew up the writings, which employed him until midnight. Having finished his papers, he was thinking to take repose, when the secretary by accident struck the candle and threw it down. The fire caught the papers, burnt part of them, and the tallow spoiled the rest. The secretary was exceedingly sorrowful, and fell on his knees to ask forgiveness for the offence. "It is an accident," said the President, mildly, "rise, and let us begin anew !" SIR ISAAC NEWTON AND HIS DOG. Sir Isaac Newton had a favourite little dog, which he called Diamond, and being one day called out of his study, Diamond was left behind. When Sir Isaac returned, having been absent but a few minutes, he had the mortification to find that Diamond having thrown down a lighted candle among some papers, the newly finished labours of many years were in flames, and almost consumed to ashes. This loss, as Sir Isaac had no copy of the papers, was irretrievable: yet, without striking the dog, he only rebuked him with this exclamation, "O Diamond Diamond! thou little knowest the mischief thou hast done!" 146. TEMPERANCE. Temperance is the moderating of one's desires in obedience to reason. --CICERO. Temperance is reason's girdle, and passion's bridle. The uniform testimony of brain-workers is in favour of moderation, and temperance in all things-in study, exercise, eating, drinking, and even recreation. -SMILES. Temperance is a tree which has contentment for its root, and peace for its fruit. -ARABIC MAXIM. He that holds fast the golden mean, And lives contentedly between The little and the great, Feels not the wants that pinch the poor, Nor plagues that haunt the rich man's door. --COWPER. The temperate man's pleasures are durable, because they are regular; and all his life is calm and serene, because it is innocent. Temperance is the best physic. Joy, temperance, and repose, Slam the door on the doctor's nose. -LONGFELLOW. |