Page:Romance & Reality 2.pdf/48

46 epitaphs kept for the especial use of patriots in power. Or—to descend to the ordinary ranks and routine of life—we furnish a house, that our friends may cry out on our extravagance or bad taste;—we give dinners, that our guests may hereafter find fault with our cook or our cellar;—we give parties, that three parts of the company may rail at their stupidity;—we dress, that our acquaintance may revenge themselves on our silks, by finding fault with our appearance;—we marry; if well, it was interest—if badly, it was insanity;—we die, and even that is our own fault; if we had but done so and so, or gone to Dr. such a one, the accident would not have happened. A man accepts a bill for his friend, who pays it—the obligation is held trifling. "What's in a name?" He fails—you have to pay it, and every one cries out against your folly. Oh, Life! what enables us to surmount your obstacles—to endure your disappointments—to believe your promises—but your illusions? There is a pretty German story of a blind man, who, even under such a misfortune, was happy—happy in a wife whom he passionately loved: her voice was sweet and low, and he