Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Collectanea.
COLLECTANEA .
THE PUBLIC PRESS . —The amount of intellect which is now brought to bear upon the public press of England forms one of the striking features of our age and country . Whether as regards the lucubrations of the quarterly and monthly periodicals , or the more rapid productions of the weekly and daily journals , where is the Englishman who does not feel elated at the reflection , that all this array of talent , this exhibition of mindis concentrated within his own native isleand isfor the most
, , , part , constantly occupied in efforts to advance its literature , its science , its religion , and thus to promote its true glory and its enduring greatness ? Such , indeed , is the reputation of the public press of Great Britain , and such the weight of its political influence , that it has , although imperceptibly , virtually introduced a new element into the constitution—a fourth estate . So that not only is it now necessary to the enactment of a new law that it should have the hih sanction of QueenLordsand
g , , Commons , but also that the measure should previously have had the concurrence of the public press , as the organ of the public mind and will , enlightened , moulded , and directed mainly by its intelligence and power . Public opinion , informed by and expressed through the press , now really governs in England . If responsibility he co-extensive with influence , how great must be the responsibility attaching to the position of eminence to which the press is thus called—a position not only
controlling the legislation of the country , but , by the ceaseless activities necessarily connected with its operations , and the wide range of subjects embraced by its labours , putting forth and exerting a plastic power over the minds of men , by which their habits of thought and principles of action- are formed , their characters determined , and their conduct regulated !
PATRIOTISM . —To speak fearlessly and honestly , to be severely truthful to one ' s own opinion , this , too , constitutes one of the marks of a patriot . As to being an orator , it is a gift ; it sometimes happens that a fieldpreacher will talk as eloquently as a learned lord ; and if a man speak honestly and from the sincerity of conviction , one manner of expressing himself is nearly as good as another . A politician who thinks much of his delivery stands in danger of becoming a vain man . As a fop takes too much trouble to dress himselfand becomes vulgarso a man vain of
, , his eloquence will at length dress it up in too fine language , and the words , like the tail of a peacock , may be very fine , but the subject of the speech as hollow as the silly cry of the vain bird . Sincerity is the language of the heart , and the language of the heart is truth ; whilst truth and sincerity ever sway the bosom of a true patriot . If a man be not true to himself , how can he be true to the interest of the country he serves?—The Idler Reformed .
MAXIMS OF BISHOP MIDDLETON . —Persevere against discouragements . —Keep your temper . —Employ leisure in study , and always have some work in hand . —Be punctual and methodical in business , and never procrastinate . —Never he in a hurry . —Preserve self-possession , and do not be talked out of conviction . —Rise early , and be an economist of time . — Maintain dignity , without the appearance of pride ; manner is something with everybody , and everything with some . —Be guarded in discourse , attentive and slow to speak . —Never acquiesce in immoral and pernicious
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Collectanea.
COLLECTANEA .
THE PUBLIC PRESS . —The amount of intellect which is now brought to bear upon the public press of England forms one of the striking features of our age and country . Whether as regards the lucubrations of the quarterly and monthly periodicals , or the more rapid productions of the weekly and daily journals , where is the Englishman who does not feel elated at the reflection , that all this array of talent , this exhibition of mindis concentrated within his own native isleand isfor the most
, , , part , constantly occupied in efforts to advance its literature , its science , its religion , and thus to promote its true glory and its enduring greatness ? Such , indeed , is the reputation of the public press of Great Britain , and such the weight of its political influence , that it has , although imperceptibly , virtually introduced a new element into the constitution—a fourth estate . So that not only is it now necessary to the enactment of a new law that it should have the hih sanction of QueenLordsand
g , , Commons , but also that the measure should previously have had the concurrence of the public press , as the organ of the public mind and will , enlightened , moulded , and directed mainly by its intelligence and power . Public opinion , informed by and expressed through the press , now really governs in England . If responsibility he co-extensive with influence , how great must be the responsibility attaching to the position of eminence to which the press is thus called—a position not only
controlling the legislation of the country , but , by the ceaseless activities necessarily connected with its operations , and the wide range of subjects embraced by its labours , putting forth and exerting a plastic power over the minds of men , by which their habits of thought and principles of action- are formed , their characters determined , and their conduct regulated !
PATRIOTISM . —To speak fearlessly and honestly , to be severely truthful to one ' s own opinion , this , too , constitutes one of the marks of a patriot . As to being an orator , it is a gift ; it sometimes happens that a fieldpreacher will talk as eloquently as a learned lord ; and if a man speak honestly and from the sincerity of conviction , one manner of expressing himself is nearly as good as another . A politician who thinks much of his delivery stands in danger of becoming a vain man . As a fop takes too much trouble to dress himselfand becomes vulgarso a man vain of
, , his eloquence will at length dress it up in too fine language , and the words , like the tail of a peacock , may be very fine , but the subject of the speech as hollow as the silly cry of the vain bird . Sincerity is the language of the heart , and the language of the heart is truth ; whilst truth and sincerity ever sway the bosom of a true patriot . If a man be not true to himself , how can he be true to the interest of the country he serves?—The Idler Reformed .
MAXIMS OF BISHOP MIDDLETON . —Persevere against discouragements . —Keep your temper . —Employ leisure in study , and always have some work in hand . —Be punctual and methodical in business , and never procrastinate . —Never he in a hurry . —Preserve self-possession , and do not be talked out of conviction . —Rise early , and be an economist of time . — Maintain dignity , without the appearance of pride ; manner is something with everybody , and everything with some . —Be guarded in discourse , attentive and slow to speak . —Never acquiesce in immoral and pernicious