Yes, as a shrewd farmer said to me the other day, "Self is always the first man on parade." from Maine. Self-praise is seen in States as well as na- The rustic tions and individuals. I can laugh yet over the rustic at the Centennial who hailed from the Pine Tree State, and, surveying the main building with wonder, inquired what it was. "That is the main building," said a kindly stranger. "Wall, I thought our State would beat all the rest in buildings, and she has!" ness of the A Massachusetts man expresses his views The greatin this style: "A great State. Old Massa- State of Maschusetts has ever taken the lead in what's sachusetts. great, good, useful, and profitable. She established the first school in the United States, the first academy and the first college. She set up the first press, printed the first book and the first newspaper; she planted the first apple tree, and caught the first whale; she coined the first money, and hoisted the first national flag; she made the first canal, and the first railroad; she invented the first mouse-trap, and washing-machine, and sent the first ship to discover islands and con tinents in the South Sea; she produced the first philosopher, and made the first pin; she fired the first gun in the Revolution, and gave 'John Bull' his first beating, and put her hand first to the Declaration of Independence. She invented 'Yankee Doodle,' and gave a name forever to 'the Universal Yankee Nation.' Truly a great State." My publisher suggested a brief preface, stating how I happened to collect and arrange this mosaic of quotations. I should cnjoy doing so, but the study of egotism has made me prudent and self-denying. I will only say I do not believe any one else could have done it as well! KATE SANBORN. "Vanity is so anchored in the heart of man that a soldier, sutler, cook, street porter, vapour and wish to have their admirers; and philosophers even wish the same. And those who write against it wish to have the glory of having written well; and those who read it wish to have the glory of having read well; and I, who write this, have perhaps, this desire; and perhaps those who will read this."-PASCAL |