WIT AND TRUTH.

People may talk about fiction being the source of fancy, and wit being at
variance with truth. Now, some of the wittiest things in the world are
witty solely from their truth. Truth is the soul of a good saying. "You
assert," observes the Socrates of modern times, "that we have a virtual
representation; very well, let us have a virtual taxation too!" Here the
wit is in the fidelity of the sequitur. When Columbus broke the egg,
where was the wit? In the completeness of conviction in the broken egg.




AUTO-THEOLOGY.

Not only every sect but every individual modifies the general attributes
of the Deity towards assimilation with his own character: the just man
dwells on the justice, the stern upon the wrath; the attributes that do
not please the worshipper he insensibly forgets. Wherefore, O my pupils,
you will not smile when you read in Barnes that the pygmies declared Jove
himself was a pygmy. The pious vanity of man makes him adore his own
qualities under the pretence of worshipping those of his God.




GLORIOUS CONSTITUTION.