Page:A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers.djvu/413

Rh which grow there unraked by himself. Perchance, some spring a higher freshet will float them within his reach, though they may be watery and frost-bitten by that time. Such shrivelled berries I have seen in many a poor man's garret, aye, in many a church bin and state coffer, and with a little water and heat they swell again to their original size and fairness, and added sugar enough, stead mankind for sauce to this world's dish.

What is called common sense is excellent in its department, and as invaluable as the virtue of conformity in the army and navy,—for there must be subordination,—but uncommon sense, that sense which is common only to the wisest, is as much more excellent as it is more rare. Some aspire to excellence in the subordinate department, and may God speed them. What Fuller says of masters of colleges is universally applicable, that "a little alloy of dulness in a master of a college makes him fitter to manage secular affairs."

Or be encouraged by this other poet's strain.

By them went Fido marshal of the field:

Weak was his mother when she gave him day;

And he at first a sick and weakly child,

As e'er with tears welcomed the sunny ray;

Yet when more years afford more growth and might,

A champion stout he was, and puissant knight,

As ever came in field, or shone in armor bright.