An 'Attic' Philosopher

! what discomfort! what sudden starts! what ever-returning thirst! what a chaos of mournful and confused fancies! We can neither sleep nor wake; we see

mirror of the community: what passes in our minds infallibly seems to us a history of the univers

avails itself of, without heeding the workman? I will tell you, my unseen friend, for whom these lines are written; my unknown brother, on w

only the continuation of that I have followed till now; the other is wider, and exhibits wondrous prospects. On the first there is nothing to fear, but also little to hope; on the other are great dangers and great fortune. Briefly, the questi

ind light - who

of winter! Spring announces its approach; a soft breeze sk

green, of which the poets of the sixt

ladsome m

s newly d

lady, le

ove my l

s I scatter to them every morning. I open my window, and th

which the setting sun has kindled to a blaze of fire. He has not studied the flora of these Alps of civilization, carpeted by lichens and mosses; he is not acquainted with the myriad inhabitants that people them, from the microscopic insect to the domestic cat - that reynard of the roofs who is always on the prowl, or in ambush; he has not witnessed the thousand aspects of

he feast they are usually so ready to devour! It is not my presence that frightens them; I have accustomed them to eat out of my hand. Then, why this fearful suspense? In vain I look around: the roof is clear, the windows

oolish panics which make the funds fall at the Bourse!

ht, the shadow of two pricked-up ears; then a paw advanced, then the head of a tabby-cat showed itself at the

hat no danger could menace them! I thought I had looked w

many misfortunes come from hav

onnoitre all the environs to be able to take possession of them again. My eyes search in succession all

d to rest; they are those of two unknown neighbor

owd of tradespeople throng the latter: they take down the silk hangings and carry off the furniture, and I now remember that the young singer passed under my window this morning with her veil down, and walking with the hasty step of one who suffers some inward trouble. Ah! I guess it all. Her means are exhausted in elegant fancies, or have been taken away by some unexpected mis

o consider life as a regular employment which brings its daily wages, or as a game in which the future is determined by a few throws? Why seek the risk of extreme chances? For what end hasten to riches by dangerous r

e, like shadows encroaching more and more on some bright space; my fears multiply; and the uncertainty becomes every moment more painful to

ll the windows which were opened to the sunshine of a beautiful day are shut again. Only on

o look upon the earth as a field of battle, and so long cut off from the peaceful pleasures of a quiet lot, that they seem to begin life at an age when others end it. The tastes of their early years, which were arrested by the stern duties of war, suddenly break out again with their white hairs, and are like the savings of youth which they spend again in old age. Bes

ds of the scarlet nasturtium, convolvulus, and sweet-pea. Henceforth he will come every day to watch for their first sprouting, to protect the y

whirls in clouds through our streets, when the eye, dazzled by the glare of white stucco, knows not where to rest, and the glowing roofs reflect their heat upon us to burning, the old soldier will s

nd tend the growth, if w

g time are become darker; it thunders loudly, and the rain pours down! Those

storm. It seems as if each one, when thus taken by surprise, loses the factitiou

s indifference, made to order, and runs like a schoolboy! He is a thrifty ci

te, slackens her pace with the increasing storm. She seems to find pleasure in braving it, and does

is rounds, when he is a young philosopher, studying the effects of electricity. And those schoolboys who leave their ranks to run after the sudden gusts of a March whirlwind; those girls, just now so

painter were employed in beautifying it, but their works are already destroyed by the leaving of so many tenants; the cornices of the front are disfigured by mud; the arabesques on the doorway are spoiled by bills posted upon them to announce the sale of the ef

warning tone. Everything says: "Take care! be content with your happy, though humble lot; happiness can be

ill. But what does it signify if it teaches us wisdom? The low voice that speaks in our breasts is always a friendly voice, for it tells us what we are, that is to say, what is our capability. Bad conduct results

kman, and should think of the business of my neighbors who so suddenly disappeared; I am a timid observer, and should call to mind the flowers so slowly raised by the old soldier, or the shop brought to

ch, above every other, it should be the aim of both public and private education to anticipate! If that were got rid of, what treasons would be spared, what baseness avoided, what a chain of excess and crime would be

ave declined their offer! This decision has restored my peace of mind. I stopped singing, like

far from my abode the weakness of heart and giddiness of head which follow prosperity. Holy Poverty! teach me to endure without complaining, to impart without grudging, to seek the end of life higher than in pleasure, farther off than in power. Thou givest the body strength