possess, whether children, horses, dogs, houses, or any other things, are better than those of our neighbours, "all our geese are swans." Or, as a common adage has it, "Every crow thinks her own bird fair." This disposition, when not carried to excess, is rather to be encouraged than reproved, as tending to make us contented and happy, in our situations; indulged too much, it occasions our becoming dupes to sycophants and flatterers. None fall so easily under the influence of this prejudice, as poets, orators, and artisans, who are generally as much enamoured with their own productions, as lovers are with the charms of their mistresses. "Nemo unquam, neque poeta, neque orator fuit, qui quenquam meliorem se + arbitraretur," there never was poet, or orator, Cicero says, who thought any other superior to himself in his art, nor any lover who did not find more beauty in his mistress than in any other woman.

Patria Fumus Igni alieno luculentior. Even the smoke of our own chimney shines brighter than the fire of a stranger's, for "Home

D 4

"Home is home, though ever so homely." "Bos alienus subinde prospectat foras," the strange ox frequently looks to the door, ready to return to the home, whence he has been lately taken; and we know that dogs can scarcely, by any kindness, be prevented from returning to the houses of their old masters. Chaque oiseau trouve son nid bien," the French say; and the Italians, "Adogui uccello, il suo nido é bello," every bird prefers his

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own nest.

As a comparatively small portion only of mankind can inhabit the temperate regions of the earth, or can acquire a larger portion of the goods of fortune, than are necessary for their subsistence, if this disposition to be contented with, and even to give a preference to our native soil, and our home, had not been implanted in us by Providence, the misery and distress, already so abundant in the world, would have been greatly increased. But we often carry this affection too far, and are thence led, not only to prefer our own possessions, as was noticed under the last adage, but to think too cheaply of, or

even to despise those of our neighbours. This sort of prejudice is most seen in neighbouring countries, and cannot be better illustrated than by adverting to the contemptuous expressions used by the common people of this country when speaking of France, which, though one of the most fertile countries in the world, they seem to think that it scarcely produces sufficient for the sustenance of its inhabitants. This amor patriæ is well described by Goldsmith in the following lines in his Traveller.

"The shuddering tenant of the frigid zone,

Boldly proclaims the happiest spot his own,
Extols the treasures of his stormy seas,
And his long night of revelry and ease.
The naked savage panting at the line,
Boasts of his golden sands, and palmy wine,
Basks in the glare, or stems the tepid wave,
And thanks his Gods for all the good they gave.
Nor less the patriot's boast, where'er we roam,
His first, best country ever is at home."

The reader may not be displeased at seeing the following on the same subject.

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Cling to your home, if there the meanest shed,
Yield but a hearth and shelter to your head,

And

And some poor plot, with fruitage scantly stored,
Be all that Heaven allots you for your board;
Unsavoured bread, and herbs that scattered grow,
Wild on the river's brink, or mountain's brow;
Yet e'en this cheerless mansion shall provide,
More heart's repose, than all the world beside."
Tales and Poems by the Rev. R. BLAND, p. 81.

Frons Occipitio prior.

By this enigmatical expression, that the forehead in which the eyes are placed, precedes the hind-head; the ancients meant to shew, that all business may be expected to be best performed, if attended to by the persons. who are to be benefited by it. A philosopher being asked by his neighbour, what would best fatten his horse? answered "the eyes of its master," as his presence would make his fields most fertile and productive, the foot of the owner being the best manure for his land. "Quando en casa no esta el gato, estiendese el raton," that is, "When the cat is away, the mice will play." T. Livius, on the same subject, says, "Non satis feliciter solere procedere, quæ oculis agas alienis," that business is not

likely to go on well, which is committed to the management of strangers. The Italians, French, and Spaniards, as well as ourselves, have adopted the answer given by the philosopher, among their proverbs, viz. "L'occhio del Padrone, ingrassa il cavallo." It. "L'œil du maître engraisse le cheval." Fr. "El ojo del amo engorda el caballo." Sp. that is, "The of the master makes the horse fat." A lusty man riding on a lean and sorry jade, being asked how it happened that he looked so well, and his horse so ill, said, it was because he provided for himself, but his servant had the care of the beast.

eye

The word "prior" in the adage, is used in the sense of potior, or melior, better.

Equalis Equalem delectat, and
Simile gaudet simili.

"Like to like." Hence we see persons of similar dispositions, habits, and years, and pursuing the same studies, usually congregating together, as most able to assist each other in their pursuits. Ogni simile appe