is not more irradiated by the morning flush than her sleeping beauty.

Ah, sweet are the uses of civility, and a rough arrangement society would be without it. Feeble as we discover ourselves to be, and too short-lived, with the best faculties, to get much wisdom, we find in it our most convenient solace at last. (It may sometimes be carried doubtfully far, as in the case of indulgent old Galba, 'who, having entertained Mæcenas at supper, and seeing his young wife cast tender glances, and complot love by signs, let himself sink down upon his cushion, like one in a profound sleep, to give opportunity to their fondling; which he himself handsomely confessed; for at the same time a servant making bold to filch a vase that stood upon the table, he frankly cried: Hold, you rogue. Do you not see that I sleep only for Mæcenas?) The apparently incongruous companionships we sometimes see must find their bond of union in a generous civility. Some cynic has said there could be no happy mar

riage but betwixt a blind wife and a deaf husband, which the bliss of this couple disproves. Their liberality forbids them seeing or hearing what might excite distrust or jealousy. His experience and age have taught him the folly of monopoly. Her beauty and youth, so generally acknowledged, have taught her the meanness of selfishness. Small is the worth of beauty from the light retired.' She must suffer herself to be desired, and not blush so to be admired.' He rejoices in his ability to load her with laces and jewels, and she also. His frailty has taught him humility, and he is glad of his wealth as a resource for her affections. It was natural, in the fulness of his possessions, and her ardor to share them, for him to forget the trifle of manhood. Something is sure to be forgotten, even by the wisest, in the tumult of the tender passion. Tithonus, you know, in love with Eos, asked. to be made immortal, that he might love her forever, but forgot, in his ardor, to ask the little essential of perennial youth. Finding

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himself maimed, and left to dwell in presence of immortal youth, immortal age beside immortal youth, and all he was in ashes,' and deploring that the gods could not recall the terrible gift, asked to be changed, and in pity was, into a grasshopper.

The worldly philosophy of Balzac, that there are few happy couples but couples of four, if ever true, would appear to be, in a certain sense, in this instance. The old gentleman has formed many attachments, beginning with his teens and increasing with his years, which are now so essentially a part of him that existence would be dreariness without them. The object of an early passion, living in the next street, for many years the wife of an India merchant, whom he every day visits, and whose society revives every pleasant memory, may be counted the first and tenderest. With her, he is oblivious of the events of fifty years, and lives over again the halcyon period when the world was best and wisest. His young hopes blossom again in retrospec

tion. If his relations with her be marked by a touch of tenderness, it is but the response of a thousand memories, and is too sacred ever to be impure. A jest upon it would give him a wound which nothing could heal. Its enjoyment is the compensation for unnumbered ills. Any thing may be referred to but that; that never unkindly. Too hallowed the cherished intercourse for defence or discussion. Another of his attachments is an old friend, with whom, in early years, he was associated in prosperous business. With him, the schemes and perils of trade are revived, and he is reminded of his energies and successes. Every crisis in their joint enterprises is again and again worked through, and every difficulty seems ever as hard as when their master minds and wills overcame it. Reviewing any one of their achievements the thousandth time, they forget their infirmities, and walk the room with the tread of conquest and defiance. The old fire and purpose flash out of their eyes, and all obstacles, so petty and contemptible, melt

away. Rejuvenated by this heroic process, 'Old Allgot' is not to be despised, nor his fellow-champion either. If the latter be a little disagreeable on account of unfortunate habits, he is not to be disparaged nor offended. So great a resource as his society 'twould be perilous to obstruct. It must be permitted as often and as long as either elect, without questioning or impatience. And his ailments, too, are attachments, which he cannot quit if he would. Formed late in life, long after the tenderer ties, they are just as tenacious and exacting. A lumbago, which so long has affectionately hugged his loins, claims much of his time and attention, and much gentle manipulation and consideration are required to soothe it. And an asthma has crept into his throat, modulating his voice, and making his respiration too sensible to himself and to others. As a profligate son, they must be endured, and a civil and accommodating treatment is necessary to make them tolerable. These and other peculiar ties and affections, requiring so much