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RECOLLECTIONS OF POVERTY. 1 

 No. I. 



AN elegant writer has remarked that '* knowledge of the human 

 heart is a science of the highest dignity," This is a truism which no 

 one will pretend to dispute. And human nature is ever before us in 

 all its varieties. 



Pursuing the even tenour of our way, how often is the attention ar- 

 rested by those brilliant manifestations of superior intellect which 

 distinguish a man above his fellows; and ever and anon, as some 

 master-spirit starts forth on the road to fame, advancing rapidly to 

 proud pre-eminence, dazzled by that combination of genius and talent 

 which throws a splendour around his path, we yield to him, instinct- 

 ively as it were, a tribute of admiration, reverence, and respect. We 

 hail with delight him who rises majestically over the stormy sea of 

 politics, and, " like the fabled deity of old, darting his effulgence over 

 the t rou bled j waters," dispels the lowerings of imperious and discon- 

 tented faction, and assuages the turbulence of angry passions and dis- 

 appointed ambition. In forensic debate we admire the eloquence 

 and learning, the wit and ingenuity, that master its intricacies and 

 illumine its mysteries. In the walks of science we pause awhile to 

 gaze on some lofty and untiring genius whose profound erudition 

 adorns the annals of learning, and who, 7 with sagacity and intelligence 

 almost supernatural, has drawn forth from the storehouse of nature 

 truths of great and weighty importance. Borne rapidly onwards 

 through life, surrounded ever by a bright halo of glory, which for- 

 bids our nearer approach, who can draw aside the veil that envelops 

 the inward operations of these mighty minds ? Like those meteoric 

 emanations which in resplendent brightness dart past our astonished 

 view, soon vanishing in space, their nature is mysterious and un- 

 known. 



Fatigued, oft we turn aside to the more tranquil scenes of private 

 life, and if we would form a just estimate of the character of our fel- 

 low creatures, or rightly appreciate their moral worth, it is here that 

 our contemplations must be directed. It is here that human nature 

 is seen in all the reality of unvarnished truth, stripped of those arti- 

 ficial aids which, throwing a transient gloss over the character, gain, 

 even for the worst of men, the applause of the world. It is here that 

 true nobility of soul shines forth in all its purity and splendour, a no- 

 bility which acknowledges no distinction of person, but belongs alike 

 to the proud heir of hereditary honours, the favourite of fortune, and 

 the child of poverty. 



Well and wisely have the caterers for public amusement and in- 

 struction drawn largely from this source ; and with such felicity of 

 description have they embellished the most common incidents of life 

 that it may safely be affirmed that there are no productions more 



