Page:Cyclopedia of illustrations for public speakers, containing facts, incidents, stories, experiences, anecdotes, selections, etc., for illustrative purposes, with cross-references; (IA cyclopediaofillu00scotrich).pdf/374

 IMPROVEMENT

He came to my desk with a quivering lip, The lesson was done— "Dear teacher, I want a new leaf," he said, "I have spoiled this one." In place of the leaf so stained and blotted, I gave him a new one all unspotted, And into his sad eyes smiled— "Do better now, my child."

I went to the throne with a quivering soul, The old year was done— "Dear Father, hast Thou a new leaf for me, I have spoiled this one?" He took the old leaf, stained and blotted, And gave me a new one all unspotted, And into my sad heart smiled— "Do better now, my child."

(1561)

We can all help make the world better, as suggested by Annie Aldrich in these verses:

Make the world a little better as you go; And be thoughtful of the kind of seed you sow; Try to make some pathway bright As you strive to do the right, Making the world a little better as you go.

Make the world a little better as you go; You may help to soothe some fellow-creature's wo; You can make some burden light, As you try with all your might To make the world a little better as you go.

Make the world a little better as you go; As you meet your brother going to and fro, You may lend a friendly hand, Lift the fallen! Help them stand! Make the world a little better as you go.

(1562)

If Christian methods of felling the tree of evil had advanced as far as the art of tree-cutting described below, we should soon be rid of bad institutions and tendencies:

"It is reported in the German press," says Forestry and Irrigation, "that successful experiments have been made in various forests of France in cutting trees by means of electricity. A platinum wire is heated to a white heat by an electric current and used like a saw. In this manner the tree is felled much easier and quicker than in the old way, no sawdust is produced, and the slight carbonization caused by the hot wire acts as a preservative of the wood. The new method is said to require only one-eighth of the time consumed by the old sawing process."

(1563)

Some day we shall be wise enough to utilize the hint suggested in the extract, by caring as much at least for improving the human race as we now care for improving our domestic animals:

A. Ogerodnikoff, a wealthy Russian dealer in furs in Vladivostok, while visiting San Francisco, told an interesting story of experiments made by his cousin, Rachatnikoff, who has been devoting himself for years to the propagation of a beautiful race of people. Ogerodnikoff, according to the press reports, said:

"Years ago Rachatnikoff attracted to his estate especially handsome men and girls of more than usual beauty by offering free land to forty or fifty men carefully picked from among a large number of applicants and selecting for them as wives fine-looking young women from different parts of Russia. This selected colony has flourished beyond all expectation, and over a hundred children have been raised from these unions.

"These children are so pretty as to make the Rachatnikoff estate famous." (Text.)

(1564)

Improvement, Material—See.

Improvement Meeting With Disfavor—See .

IMPROVING TIME

One of the most important books on British ornithology is Gilbert White's "Natural History of Selborne." This work is made up of the jottings and notes of the author concerning the animals he saw in his daily walks through the woods and fields in the immediate vicinity of his little country parish, which he seldom left. (Text.)

(1565)

IMPUDENCE, BRAZEN

Unblushing assurance in rascality is not a new thing in the world.

A firm of shady outside London brokers was prosecuted for swindling, says Every-*