ople these with new beings.

Moreover, there is still endless variety, endless amusement, and food
for study and contemplation, in our own species. In all countries still
the same, yet ever varying:--

"The proper study of mankind is man."

From which, I presume, we are to infer that it is time thrown away to
study woman.

At the same party in which the conversation was raised relative to
diplomacy, a person with whom I was, until that day, wholly
unacquainted, was sitting by me, and as it happened, the name of one
with whom I had long been on terms of intimacy was mentioned. "Do you
know him?" said my neighbour, with a very peculiar expression. I
replied that I had occasionally met him, for I thought there was
something coming forward.

"Well, all I can say is, that he is rather a strange person."

"Indeed!" replied I; "how do you mean?"

"Why, they say, that he is of a very uncertain temper."

"Indeed!" continued I, with the same look of inquiry, as if demanding
more information.

"Yes, yes, rather a dangerous man."

"Do you know him?" inquired I, in return.

"Yes; that is to say--not very intimately--the fact is, that I have
avoided it. I grant that he is a very clever man--but I hear that he
quarrels with everybody."

"Who told you so?" replied I.

Oh! he was not authorised to give the name of the person.

"Then," replied I, "allow me to say that you have been misinformed. I
have been on intimate terms with that person for nearly twenty years,
during which he never quarrelled with me or any one that I know of;
although, I grant, he is not over civil to those whom he may despise.
The only part of your communication which is correct is, that he is a
very clever man, and our government are of the same opinion."

My neighbour was discomfited, and said no more, and I joined the general
conversation. What may have been his cause of dislike I know not--but I
have frequently remarked, that if a man has made himself enemies either
from neglect of that sophistry and humbug, so necessary to enable him to
roll down the stream of time with his fellows without attrition, if they
can find no point in his character to assail, their last resort is, to
assert that he is an uncertain tempered man, and not to be trusted.

This is the last, and although not the most empoisoned, still the surest
shaft in the whole quiver of calumny. It does not exactly injure the
character, but it induces others to avoid the