The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction - Volume 17, No. 488, May 7, 1831 by Various
page 32 of 50 (64%)
page 32 of 50 (64%)
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should study the good of each other, a number would surely have been
simultaneously created for the exercise of the principle, instead of one, who, being alone, was essentially selfish. Adam was all the world to himself. With the addition of Eve, human society commenced; and the fault of our first mother furnishes a grand and terrible example of the mischief of thinking of the benefit of another. Satan suggested to her that Adam should partake of the fruit--an idea, having in it the taint of benevolence, so generally mistaken--whence sin and death came into the world. Had Eve been strictly selfish, she would wisely have kept the apples to herself, and the evil would have been avoided. Had Adam helped himself, he would have had no stomach for the helping of another--and so, on his part, the evil temptation had been obviated. The HELP YOURSELF principle has at no time been extinct in society, while it is seen to be a universal law of Nature. The wolf _helps himself_ to the lamb, and the lamb to the grass. No animal assists another, excepting when in the relation of parent to young, when Nature could not dispense with the caprice of benevolence, which in this instance, be it observed, distresses the parties susceptible of the sentiment; for suckling creatures are always in poor condition. Appropriation is the great business of the universe. The institution of property is, on the other hand, artificial.--_Ibid._ * * * * * BALLET OF KENILWORTH, AT THE KING'S THEATRE. There is a very curious and ingenious, though not original, exhibition in this ballet. Among the festivities at Kenilworth Castle, in honour |
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