scrupulous in imputing motives to those
who interfere with him, and interprets
everything for the best. He is never mean
or little in his disputes, never takes unfair
advantage, never mistakes personalities or
sharp sayings for arguments, or insinuates
evil which he dare not say out. From a
long-sighted prudence he observes the
maxim of the ancient sage, that we should
ever conduct ourselves toward our enemy
as if he were one day to be our friend. He
has too much sense to be affronted at in-
sults, he is too well employed to remember
injuries, and too indolent to bear malice.
He is patient, forbearing, and resigned on
philosophical principles: he submits to pain
because it is inevitable, to bereavement be-
cause it is irreparable, and to death because
it is destiny. If he engage in controversy
of any kind, his disciplined intellect pre-
serves him from the blundering discourtesy
of better perhaps, but less educated, minds
who, like blunt weapons, tear and hack in-
stead of cutting clean, who mistake the
point in argument, waste their strength on
trifles, misconceive the adversary, and leave
the question more involved than they
found it."

-74-