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one。 We usually find but our own temperament reflected in the
dispositions of those about us。 If we are ourselves querulous； we
will find them so； if we are unforgiving and uncharitable to them；
they will be the same to us。 A person returning from an evening
party not long ago； complained to a policeman on his beat that an
ill…looking fellow was following him： it turned out to be only his
own shadow！ And such usually is human life to each of us； it is；
for the most part； but the reflection of ourselves。
If we would be at peace with others； and ensure their respect； we
must have regard for their personality。 Every man has his
peculiarities of manner and character； as he has peculiarities of
form and feature； and we must have forbearance in dealing with
them； as we expect them to have forbearance in dealing with us。
We may not be conscious of our own peculiarities； yet they exist
nevertheless。 There is a village in South America where gotos or
goitres are so common that to be without one is regarded as a
deformity。 One day a party of Englishmen passed through the
place； when quite a crowd collected to jeer them； shouting： 〃See；
see these peoplethey have got NO GOTOS！〃
Many persons give themselves a great deal of fidget concerning
what other people think of them and their peculiarities。 Some are
too much disposed to take the illnatured side； and； judging by
themselves； infer the worst。 But it is very often the case that
the uncharitableness of others； where it really exists； is but the
reflection of our own want of charity and want of temper。 It
still oftener happens； that the worry we subject ourselves to； has
its source in our own imagination。 And even though those about us
may think of us uncharitably； we shall not mend matters by
exasperating ourselves against them。 We may thereby only expose
ourselves unnecessarily to their illnature or caprice。 〃The ill
that comes out of our mouth；〃 says Herbert； 〃ofttimes falls
into our bosom。〃
The great and good philosopher Faraday communicated the following
piece of admirable advice； full of practical wisdom； the result of
a rich experience of life； in a letter to his friend Professor
Tyndall：… 〃Let me； as an old man； who ought by this time to have
profited by experience； say that when I was younger I found I
often misrepresented the intentions of people； and that they did
not mean what at the time I supposed they meant； and further；
that； as a general rule； it was better to be a little dull of
apprehension where phrases seemed to imply pique； and quick in
perception when； on the contrary； they seemed to imply kindly
feeling。 The real truth never fails ultimately to appear； and
opposing parties； if wrong； are sooner convinced when replied to
forbearingly； than when overwhelmed。 All I mean to say is； that
it is better to be blind to the results of partisanship； and quick
to see goodwill。 One has more happiness in one's self in
endeavouring to follow the things that make for peace。 You can
hardly imagine how often I have been heated in private when
opposed； as I have thought unjustly and superciliously； and yet I
have striven； and succeeded； I hope； in keeping down replies of
the like kind。 And I know I have never lost by it。〃 （11）
While the painter Barry was at Rome； he involved himself； as was
his wont； in furious quarrels with the artists and dilettanti；
about picture…painting and picture…dealing； upon which his friend
and countryman； Edmund Burkealways the generous friend of
struggling meritwrote to him kindly and sensibly： 〃Believe me；
dear Barry； that the arms with which the ill…dispositions of the
world are to be combated； and the qualities by which it is to be
reconciled to us； and we reconciled to it； are moderation；
gentleness； a little indulgence to others； and a great deal of
distrust of ourselves； which are not qualities of a mean spirit；
as some may possibly think them； but virtues of a great and noble
kind； and such as dignify our nature as much as they contribute to
our repose and fortune； for nothing can be so unworthy of a well…
composed soul as to pass away life in bickerings and litigations
in snarling and scuffling with every one about us。 We must be at
peace with our species； if not for their sakes； at least very much
for our own。〃 （12）
No one knew the value of self…control better than the poet Burns；
and no one could teach it more eloquently to others； but when it
came to practice； Burns was as weak as the weakest。 He could not
deny himself the pleasure of uttering a harsh and clever sarcasm
at another's expense。 One of his biographers observes of him；
that it was no extravagant arithmetic to say that for every ten
jokes he made himself a hundred enemies。 But this was not all。
Poor Burns exercised no control over his appetites； but freely
gave them rein：
〃Thus thoughtless follies laid him low
And stained his name。〃
Nor had he the self…denial to resist giving publicity to
compositions originally intended for the delight of the tap…room；
but which continue secretly to sow pollution broadcast in the
minds of youth。 Indeed； notwithstanding the many exquisite poems
of this writer； it is not saying too much to aver that his immoral
writings have done far more harm than his purer writings have done
good； and that it would be better that all his writings should be
destroyed and forgotten provided his indecent songs could be
destroyed with them。
The remark applies alike to Beranger； who has been styled 〃The
Burns of France。〃 Beranger was of the same bright incisive
genius； he had the same love of pleasure； the same love of
popularity； and while he flattered French vanity to the top of its
bent； he also painted the vices most loved by his countrymen with
the pen of a master。 Beranger's songs and Thiers' History
probably did more than anything else to reestablish the Napoleonic
dynasty in France。 But that was a small evil compared with the
moral mischief which many of Beranger's songs are calculated to
produce； for； circulating freely as they do in French households；
they exhibit pictures of nastiness and vice； which are enough to
pollute and destroy a nation。
One of Burns's finest poems； written； in his twenty…eighth year；
is entitled 'A Bard's Epitaph。' It is a description； by
anticipation； of his own life。 Wordsworth has said of it： 〃Here
is a sincere and solemn avowal； a public declaration from his own
will； a confession at once devout； poetical and human； a history
in the shape of a prophecy。〃 It concludes with these lines：…
〃Reader； attendwhether thy soul
Soars fancy's flights beyond the pole；
Or darkling grubs this earthly hole
In low pursuit；
Knowprudent； cautious self…control；
Is Wisdom's root。〃
One of the vices before which Burns felland it may be said to
be a master…