After All;

a shallow nature , but he was open ancl frank in his disposition , while he was as capable of working a problem as of doing a good deed . " Well , Mr . Humberton , IIOAV are you ? " he said , before Arthur had recovered his surprise at the unexpected visit . " You look startled . I thought I would just pop in and cheer you up a bit , and I trust you will never require my professional services ; I have plenty of work . Don't be downheartedman ;

, come , cheer up . " "No , thanks , Dr . Chirrup , ! am not miserable ; merely musing . But I am very glad to see you ; it does me good . " " Thanks , thanks ; but yoii do too much of that melancholy ' musing , ' as you term it . Why don't you be ancl feel jolly as I do , ancl I ' ve had plenty of trouble in my time ?"

" Ay , but not like mine , " said Humberton , sadly , as his thoughts went back to the past . " Tut , tut , boy , you don ' t know what trouble is yet . Look here , you'll have to use more philosophy than you have done if you intend to live a happy life . Now I ' ve taken a fancy to yon , and I'm going to give you a bit of good advice now and then , ancl not having been blessed with sons of my own I shall

talk to you like a father at times , and I know you'll be sure enough to listen , and I hope you may profit by my experience . " " It is very good of you to take such an interest in me , " returned Arthur , gratefully . "Don't mention that . Now I know where your thoughts are . I ' ve been , similarly placed myself . Courage , man ; remember how Colonel Hay epigrainmatically says :

Wisely a woman prefers to a lover a man who neglects her . This one may love her some day ; some day the lover Avill not ; and There are three species of creatures , who when they seem coming are going , When they seem going they come . Diplomats , women , and crabs . " Yesbut I don't see the particular bearing of those quotations" objected

, , Arthur . " No , you won't look at it in a proper spirit . You know its ' years that bring the philosophic mind , ' according to Wordsworth . Depend upon it , my young friend , philosophy is adversity ' s sweet milk , as the divine Shakespeare terms it ; a good horse that teaches by examples , triumphing easily oi er difficulties . Does not the imaginative Keat ' that it will clian angel ' s

say p wings r" My clear fellow , if you will only take the trouble to analyze the difficulties that seem to yon insurmountable and unconquerable , yon will laugh at the idea that they should ever have troubled you . Try a little Baconismmultiply your enjoyments and mitigate your sufferings . Thanks , I will take a cigar ; " and the little old gentleman soon half filled the room with smoke , whde he gave vent to profound sentiments betiveen the puffs . " You

knowpuff , puff—the first idea—puff—is to diminish misery—puff . One must not grasp too much— -puff—that is a false philosophy—puff—but economize . The great source of melancholia is too great faith being placed in the fulfilment of hopeful anticipation . One should always be prepared for disappointment if it comes , and read y to bear up against it , though it need not be expected . 'Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof' live in the presentancl leave

; , the past and the future in a shadowy , uncertain unfulfilnient ; vain regrets and wild speculations will only Avork misery ancl discontent . " Ancl the doctor having delivered himself of this good advice ancl rather mixed metaphor set himself once more to vigorously puffing his cigar .

" But you would not have one attempt the indifference of a Stoic , or practice Platonic philosophy ? Am I to give up every comforting trace of romance that gilds the stern face of fact for a cold , cheerless philosophy that