A True Philosopher

I cannot part with these good people (the Dutch Beers,) without mentioning that the only real philosopher I ever met with in my life was one of them. He was, indeed, pre-eminent among his neighbors, who gave him the name of "the philosopher;" and I cannot resist relating the method in which they put his pretensions to that title, to the proof. Having safely housed in his "stores," the produce of the year, he paid a visit to Cape Town on some business, and while there was attacked with a dangerous illness, which detained him some time. As soon as his health permitted, he set out on his return home. On the very day before, a fire reduced to ashes his barns, his crops, his wine stores, and their contents; all were destroyed-he was ruined. Knowing him to be on his road home, a group of friends waited his arrival at the entrance of the village, some to communicate the sad news, but many professedly "to see what the philosopher would do or say."-He heard-his serenity was undisturbed, his countenance altered not: not a complaint escaped him; but, on the contrary, a thanksgiving to Almighty God for the preservation of the lives of his family! "I wish," said I to him one day when we were talking over this misfortune [misfortune], "you would give me your receipt for preserving equanimity, under such circumstances." "It is a very simple one," he replied:-"when I heard what was gone, I ran over in my mind the many things great and good God had left me, and so I thanked him for them."-Baynes Ramble in the East, &c.

An excellent rule for living happy in society, is never to concern one's self with the affairs of others, unless they desire it. Under pretence [pretense] of being useful, people often show more curiosity than kindness.