Page:Letters of Life.djvu/140

128, I have no complaint to make. Still, there is one essential, one very sad deficiency."

They gazed upon each other, and upon him, with intense and painful curiosity.

"That to which I allude, young gentlemen, is a neglect of the duty of Christian laughter." Then, drawing up to its full height of six feet his large, symmetrical person, and expanding his broad chest, he commanded, "Do as I do," and uttered a peal of hearty, sonorous laughter. After summoning each one separately to imitate his example, and observing how the corrugated muscles untwisted, and the brow cast off its wrinkling thought, he said, "There, that will do for the present." He did not narrate any incident provocative of mirth, as he might readily have done, for he possessed wit as well as eloquence. Probably he deemed it sufficient to enforce the habit, and trust to their own ludicrous resources for themes to sustain it. The risible faculties might be a good counterpoise for polemics. If they were allowed their due exercise, I doubt whether we should have as many cross controversies. If Milton and Salmasius had sacrificed to Momus, instead of concocting bitter objurgations, the world would have been just as wise.

Singing-school was a graver yet much-prized enjoyment of early days. It was the custom of our church to employ a competent teacher for several months in the year, to train her young people in the melodies of