roRTHER EXPEKIEJSrOES OF ME, STALE!, 
of building the chimiioey was complete, he had ever® 
passed the remark as to how it had been so cheaply 
done, and so it would never do to open up the account 
again in order to remodel or renew it. He must just 
submit to the unpleasant after results of his own 
cheap handiwork, a plight in which many others have 
found themselves fixed in much more important affairs 
in life, than building chimneys ! In fact he was in for 
the results of mistake, a bad bargain, the result entirely 
of his own actions, with none upon whom he could 
with justice vent his spleen, which for want of a vent 
burned all the more fiercely within. What a relief it, 
is to the mind, what a softening down of the feeling, 
of responsibility, when any error is committed, to have 
some one to blame ! If it were even nothing else than 
to have acted on the opinion or advice of some one,, 
I had confidence in his opinion ; he advised me, 
how soothing to a personal feeling of selfsufficieney,, 
how it removes tlie sting of the gnawing self-reproach 
of personal incapacity : indeed, this sting is so keen 
upon the very opinionative and self-willed, as to be- 
come unbearable, frequently prompting them, in order 
to obtain some relief, to lay the whole blame of their 
failure in any course of action, if not directly, in an 
indirect manner, upon some one else,, no matter how^ 
absurd or ridiculous the accusation may be. Even if 
they know it to be such, the feelings get vent, and 
self is vindicated. All must have frequently heard of,, 
or met with some, who, after having made up their 
minds to any course of action, go about,, asking advice^ 
from their friends ; they not only do not desire, but 
have no intention of acting upon any ad.viee, gonteary; 
to their own fixed opinion.. They desire, are in search 
of advice,, to carry ouk their own views, such as can 
be fallen back upon in event of failure. “ I did not> 
act on my own responsibility ; I took advice.. I was 
not to blame, &c.’’ Yes>, they took advice, because 
it suited them, and was in accordance with their owm 
opinions; if it had not been,, they would not have 
taken it, and are just as solely and wholly to blame 
for an error committed, as if they bad taken, or rather 
asked, no advice at all! ‘^A man convinced against 
his will, is of the same opinion still ; ” and it may 
be remarked of a good many, that a man advised 
against his will, is still of the same opinion, smoke- 
not know the way up yet, master donT be sorry,” 
grated harshly on master’s ears, and he passed some 
very unfeeling, and strong remarks,, which reflected very 
seriously on the moral character of the boy’s 
mother, but the boy said nothing, having probably 
some general idea that they were tolerably correct. 
He only put- his hands behind his back, said never 
a. word,, and retired to the kitchen, apparently in deep 
