IN A FISHING COUNTRY 



matical one of finding the least common 

 multiple. 



If character be immutable, the manifesta- 

 tions of it are within control; else were it 

 a mere aggravation to say that petty mis- 

 fortunes, ill borne, make a fool (and a bore) 

 of the grumbler, whereas he Who bears 

 them handsomely makes a fool of his mis- 

 fortunes. How profound the wisdom of 

 the old man of Cadiz, — 



It wouldn't be that which it is. 



If it were what it weren't, 

 For he early had learnt 



W'ho said that life is what it is, 



The practical application of his philosophy 

 is to take things as they come. Not as 

 the uncomplaining ass meets his fate, for a 

 disposition that permits itself neither en- 

 thusiasms nor revilings is dull to live 

 with, in the woods or out of them. The 

 man able to depersonalize affliction, can 

 entertain you very well indeed with an 

 account of his sore toe. Because he rises to 

 a view of himself as merely that member of 

 the human race he happens to know the 

 best, can best talk about — contemplates the 

 ever-interesting species through the indi- 

 vidual. Even am I willing to listen to a 

 man telling about his unhappy round of 



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