42 SDBGEON-GENERAL C. A. GORDON-, M.D., C.B.^ Q.H.P., ETC., 



as if one had seen nothing ; not to let one's thoughts be 

 taken up with trifles." [Maxims still followed by experi- 

 enced administrators in other countries than China.] 



3. Tlie duties of husband andivife. — When marriage is being 

 treated of, the principal thhig to be regarded is whether there 

 is likely to be sympathy between husband and wife, a point 

 too often disregarded ; convenience, rank, position, or ancient 

 family alliances being only thought of. The young bride is 

 sometimes to be pitied; she may come of a wealthy family into 

 one whose aflairs are in great disorder ; she may see colduess 

 on the part of her husband without daring to complain ; she 

 may be near her mother's house, yet unable to see or talk 

 with her, and then, the more she was cherished at her own 

 home, the more she feels her present condition. 



" When is it," the question is asked, " that a woman 

 despises her husband?" The answer given is, " When she is 

 pufted up because she has made his fortune," in other words, 

 brought riches to him who had none of his own, Avhether by 

 inheritance (the unearned increment), or as the fruits of his 

 labour. As for the husband, his true character is firmness 

 in maintaining good order in his family, 



4. Of the duty of friends. — However strict the union between 

 friends may be, a word dropped by chance may offend dell- 

 cg-cy. What course shall you follow ? Why I dissemble, and 

 let it pass as a trifle ; take great care not to give a harsh 

 answer, or to make the fir^t person you nieet with the con- 

 fident of your resentment. Nothing is more easy than for 

 children as they grow up to contract the usages and customs 

 of their parents, who, if they are laborious, industrious, and 

 frugal, the young man will form himself by their examples ; and 

 on the contrary, if they are given to vanity, merry-making, 

 and pleasure, he will soon fall into their extravagances. If, 

 from example of his companions, vice shall take root in his 

 young heart, it will be difficult to eradicate it. Therefore, 

 court the company of a wise man. When you pitch upon a 

 friend a hundred good qualities ave seen in him at first, but 

 when you are habituated you discover in him a thousand 

 faults. (Few persons stand knowing.) During the lifetime 

 of our acquaintances we speak of nothing but their faults ; 

 after their death, nothing but of their praises. He who 

 treats his living friends with the same esteem and aflfection 

 which he would express for them if dead, will reap great 

 benefits in friendship. My friend, who was in a poor and 

 obscur3 position, suddenly finds himself in the midst of splen- 



