* * * * *
It is easier to induce people to follow than to set an example--however
good it may be both for themselves and others, most men have a silly
squeamishness about proposing an adjournment from the dinner table. The
host, fearing that his guest may take it for a token that he loves his
wine better than his friends, is obliged to feign an unwillingness to
leave the bottle, and, as Sponge says--"In good truth, 'tis impossible,
nay, I say it is impudent, to contradict any gentleman at his own table;
the president is always the wisest man in the party."
"Be of our patron's mind, whate'er he says;
Sleep very much, think little, and talk less;
Mind neither good nor bad, nor right nor wrong,
But eat your pudding, fool, and hold your tongue."
MAT. PRIOR.
Therefore his friends, unless a special commission be given to them for
that purpose, feel unwilling to break the gay circle of conviviality, and
are individually shy of asking for what almost every one
wishes.--_Kitchiner_.
* * * * *
Though much has been done, the orthography of the Dutch language can
hardly be considered as positively fixed. A witty writer and one who has
_biographized_ the Dutch poets with some severity, but much talent, says--
Spell--"Wereld "--so sets up Siegenbeek, and then
Comes Bilderdyk, and flings it down again.
He will have "Wareld"--'Tis a pretty quarrel
Shall I determine who shall wear the laurel:
Not I!--I like them both--and so I'll say
"Waereld"--and each shall have his own dear way.
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