_diminution_ of marriages and births. The great principle is this:
as the number of men cannot exceed their means of subsistence, _if men
live longer, a less number is born_, and the human race is maintained
at its due complement with fewer deaths and fewer births, a contingency
favourable in every respect to happiness. The author illustrates this
very important principle by the population returns both of England and
France.

* * * * *




THE GATHERER.


A snapper up of unconsidered trifles.
SHAKSPEARE.

* * * * *


On reading in a provincial paper,[3] a passage entitled, "_Ornaments
of the Bench and Bar_."

Imitate no one you despise,
_Said_ one _whose_ mind was _great_,
Did he not _think_? despise not him
You _cannot_ imitate.