that is born of sorrow is the only joy that is
enduring." It may seem strange, but it is true, the last year of my life
has been the happiest I ever experienced.

CHAPTER XX.

A FEW OF THE LESSONS I HAVE LEARNED ON MY WAY THROUGH LIFE.

And now for a few of the lessons which I have learned on my way through
life.

1. One, alas! is, that it is very difficult to bring young people to
benefit by the experience of their elders. It would be a happy thing if
we could put old men's heads on young men's shoulders; but no method of
performing the operation has, as yet, been hit upon. It might answer as
well, if old men could empty their heads into the heads of the young.
But this is a task almost as difficult as the former. The heads of the
young are generally full of foolish thoughts, and vain conceits, and
wild dreams of what they are to be, and do, and enjoy in the days to
come, with large admixtures at times of more objectionable materials; so
that there is no room for the counsels and admonitions of their elders.
Then there are some who do not _like_ to be counselled or admonished.
Having set their minds on the attainment of a certain object, they are
unwilling to listen to any but such as commend their course, and
encourage them with promises of success. There are others who think
they have no need of counsel or admonition. Counsel and admonition are
proper enough for some people, but they are not required in their case,
they imagine. They do not exactly think themselves beings of a superior
order, beyond the reach of ordinary dangers; but they _act_ as if they
thought so. In words they would acknowledge themselves to be but men,
liable to the common frailties of their race; but their conduct seems to
say, "It is impossible _we_ should ever err or sin as some men do; we
are better constructed, and are born to a happier lot." Their purpose is
to do right, and it never enters their minds that they can ever do
wrong. And if you tell them that they are in danger of becoming
intemperate, or skeptical, or of falling into any great error or sin,
they feel hurt, and say, "Do you suppose we are dogs that we should do
such things?" Dogs or not, when the time of trial comes, they do them.
And then they discover, that men are not always so wise, so good, or so
strong as they suppose themselves; that people may be the subjects of
weaknesses of which they are utterly unconscious, till assailed by some
unlooked for temptation