rcumstances;
one is not under them, as though they were an umbrella. Nobody ought to
say "under the circumstances." However, this is merely by the by.

It's a queer thing, though, that Mr. Hilaire Belloc, who certainly writes
some of the best English going, says that "under the" and so forth is all
right. Certainly it is not. But, as I said before, this is not a point
about which we are talking.

One ought to read want "ads" for many reasons. For instance, you can
thus become completely mixed up as to whether or not you are still young.
"Young man wanted," you will read, "about sixteen years of age, in an
office." Goodness gracious! It does seem that this is an age of young,
very young, men. What chance does one of your years have now? On the
other hand, you read: "Wanted, young man, about thirty-five." So! Well,
this is an age, too (you reflect) in which people remain young. There
are no old folks any more; they are out of fashion. Witness, "Boy
wanted, strong, about eighteen."

They (want "ads") ought, particularly, to be read at times when you have
a very good job. It is then especially that the reading of them is best
for you. They do (or they ought to) soften your arrogance.

If--like Mr. Rockefeller, jr.--I were a teacher of a Sunday school class
(which, as Mr. Dooley used to say, I am not). I would say: "The best
religious teaching is to be found in the help-wanted advertisements in
the newspapers. We will take up this morning these columns in this
morning's papers."

As a matter of fact, if you are out of a job I should strongly advise
against your reading advertisements for help wanted. In the first place,
nobody ever got a job through one of these advertisements. I know this,
as the phrase is, of my own knowledge. Then, the influence of suggestion
is very powerful in these announcements. If you are without a position,
it is depressingly plain to you that you are totally unqualified to
obtain one again, of any account. If you have a berth paying a living
wage, you perceive that some mysterious good fortune attends you, and you
are made humble by fear for yourself, and compassionate towards others.
For who are you, in heaven's name, and what the devil do you know, that
you should make a living in this world! In this world where there is
wanted: "Highly educated man, having extensive business and social
connection. Must be fluent correspondent in Arabic, Japanese, and
Swedish, and an