own interests,
to the neglect of their duty towards their neighbour:--the mass of
humanity not entirely selfish at heart--no, nor yet the larger portion
of it, by a good way!

Of course, there are some ill-natured people. Blisters, are these;
moral cataplasms imposed on us, probably, to produce that very feeling
we admire, acting as they do by contrast--one of the most vivifying
principles of mental action.

But, when we come to calculate their percentage, how very few they are
in comparison with the better-disposed numbers of God's creatures that
live and breathe, and sicken and die in our midst, and whose kindly
ministrations on behalf of their suffering brethren and sisters around
them, remain generally unknown, until they are far beyond any praise
that the world can give.

Yes, humanity is not so debased, but that its good points still excel
its bad! Just as you see but one real miser in a fixed proportion of
men; so, are there, I believe, quite as small a representative set of
absolutely heartless persons. I am certain that the "good Samaritans"
outvie the "Levites" in our daily existence--opposed, though my theory
may be, to the ruling of the old doggerel, which cautions us that--

"'Tis a very good world to live in,
To spend and to lend, and to give in;
But,
To beg, or to borrow, and to get a man's own,
'Tis the very worst world that ever was known!"

Look at my present case, for instance. Of course, personal instances
are, as a general rule, wrong; but, one cannot very well argue without
them--especially when telling a story, and when they come up so
opportunely in front of one's nose, so to speak.

No sooner was it generally known in Saint Canon's that I was going away,
than I met with offers of sympathy and assistance from many that I did
not expect. I did not require their aid, yet, the proffer of it could
not help being grateful to one's feelings, all the same.

There was Horner now. You know that I was always in the habit of
"chaffing" him, taking a malicious pleasure in so doing, from the reason
that he could not "chaff" me back again in return. Well, you wouldn't
have supposed that he bore me any great love or friendship, or felt
kindly disposed towards me? But, he did!

About a week after I left the Obstructor General's Office, he came to
me--I assure you, much to my astonishment--offering me his assistance.

"Bai-ey _Je-ove_! Lorton," said he, "sawy to he-ah you have left