you. Keep a wise distance from their caves, lest you pay too dearly for
approaching them. Remember that years passed, and whole districts were
ravaged, before the warrior came who was able to cope with the devouring
monster. When that knight DOES make his appearance, with all my heart
let us go out and welcome him with our best songs, huzzas, and laurel
wreaths, and eagerly recognize his valor and victory. But he comes only
seldom. Countless knights were slain before St. George won the battle.
In the battle of life are we all going to try for the honors of
championship? If we can do our duty, if we can keep our place pretty
honorably through the combat, let us say, Laus Deo! at the end of it, as
the firing ceases, and the night falls over the field.

The old were middle-aged, the elderly were in their prime, then, thirty
years since, when yon royal George was still fighting the dragon. As for
you, my pretty lass, with your saucy hat and golden tresses tumbled in
your net, and you, my spruce young gentleman in your mandarin's cap (the
young folks at the country-place where I am staying are so attired),
your parents were unknown to each other, and wore short frocks and short
jackets, at the date of this five-shilling piece. Only to-day I met a
dog-cart crammed with children--children with moustaches and mandarin
caps--children with saucy hats and hair-nets--children in short frocks
and knickerbockers (surely the prettiest boy's dress that has appeared
these hundred years)--children from twenty years of age to six; and
father, with mother by his side, driving in front--and on father's
countenance I saw that very laugh which I remember perfectly in the time
when this crown-piece was coined--in HIS time, in King George's time,
when we were school-boys seated on the same form. The smile was just as
broad, as bright, as jolly, as I remember it in the past--unforgotten,
though not seen or thought of, for how many decades of years, and quite
and instantly familiar, though so long out of sight.