dant recommended him to take a
sea voyage, he agreed to go with me to Jerusalem, if I would hire a
ship to take us there." "Seize, mortal," Mr Montefiore continues,
quoting the words of the poet:

"Seize the transient hour,
Improve each moment as it flies;
Life a short summer--man a flower;
He dies, alas! how soon he dies."

1825 (5855 A.M.).--The lessons he sets for himself this year are given
in quotations from authors, the selections showing the reflex of the
impressions made on his mind by current events.

The first is an Italian proverb: "Chi parla semina, chi tace racolta,"
corresponding to the English, "The talker sows, the silent reaps."

Those which follow are from our own moralists:--

"A wise man will desire no more than what he may get justly, use
soberly, distribute cheerfully, and live upon contentedly."

"He that loveth a book will never want a faithful friend, a wholesome
counsellor, a cheerful companion, or an effective comforter."

"The studies afford nourishment to our youth, delight to our old age,
adorn prosperity, supply a refuge in adversity, and are a constant
source of pleasure at home; they are no impediment while abroad, and
attend us in the night season, in our travels, and in our
retirement."

"He may be well content that need not borrow nor flatter."

He attends this year regularly all the meetings of eight companies or
associations: the Alliance British and Foreign Life and Fire
Assurance, the Alliance Marine Assurance, the Imperial Continental Gas
Association, the Provincial Bank of Ireland, the Imperial Brazilian
Mining, the Chilian and Peruvian Mining, the Irish Manufactory, and
the British Colonial Silk Company.

With all this, no doubt often very exciting work, he still finds time
for attending all the meetings of charitable institutions of which he
is a member, more especially those of his own community; while he is
often met in the house of mourning performing duties sometimes most
painful and distressing to a sympathising heart.

_February 11th._--He attends for the first time the General Board of
the Provincial Bank of Ireland.

Being now considered an authority of high standing in the financial
world, various offers were made to him by promoters to join their
companies or become one of their directors. Among these undertakings
is one which I will name on account of the interest every man of
business now takes in it. I allude to a compan