H. W. Shaw, "Josh Billings" (1818-1886).-Wrote Sayings of Josh Billings, Josh Billings on Ice, Farmers' Almanax etc. Known also as a lecturer.

Samuel L. Clemens, "Mark Twain" (1835- - —).—A distinguished American humorist. An editor by profession. Wrote Innocents Abroad, Roughing It, Tom Sawyer The Gilded Age (jointly with Charles Dudley Warner), etc. Known also as a humorous lecturer.

Most of the other prominent humorists are given below, with their pseudonyms:

Charles G. Leland, "Hans Breitmann."

C. H. Webb, "John Paul."

James M. Bailey, “Danbury News Man."
D. R. Locke, "Petroleum V. Nasby."
Melville D. Landon, "Eli Perkins."

R. H. Newell, "Orpheus C. Kerr" (office-seeker)
Robert J. Burdette, "Burlington Hawkeye Man.”
Samuel W. Small, “Old Si."

GEMS OF THOUGHT.

ACTION.

THAT action is best which procures the greatest happiness for

the greatest numbers.

HUTCHINSON.

I have always thought the actions of men the best interpretera of their thoughts.

Trust no future, howe'er pleasant:

Let the dead past bury their dead!
Act-act in the living present!

Heart within and God o'erhead!

LOCKE.

LONGFELLOW.

It is well to think well. It is divine to act well.

HORACE MANN.

A slender acquaintance with the world must convince every man that actions, not words, are the true criterion of the attachment of friends, and that the most liberal professions of goodwill are very far from being the surest marks of it.

AMBITION.

WASHINGTON.

Most people would succeed in small things if they were not troubled with great ambitions.

LONGFELLOW.

The man who seeks one thing in life, and but one,
May hope to achieve it before life be done;

But he who seeks all things, wherever he goes,

Only reaps from the hopes which around him he sows

A harvest of barren regrets.

OWEN MEREDITH.

Onward, onward, may we press
Through the path of duty;
Virtue is true happiness,

Excellence, true beauty.
Minds are of supernal birth:
Let us make a heaven of earth.

MONTH.MERY

Ambition has but one reward for all-
A little power, a little transient fame,
A grave to rest in, and a fading name.

WILLIAM WINTER.
Talents angel-bright,

If wanting worth, are shining instruments,
In false ambition's hand, to finish faults

YOUNG.

Illustrious and give infamy renown.

BEAUTY.

Beauty was lent to nature as the type
Of heaven's unspeakable and holy joy,
Where all perfection makes the sum of bliss.

A thing of beauty is a joy for ever:

SARA J. HALE.

Its loveliness increases; it will never
Pass into nothingness; but still will keep

A bower quiet for us, and a sleep

Full of sweet dreams and health and quiet breathing.

Bocks are the legacies that a great genius leaves to mankind, which are delivered down from generation to generation as presents to the posterity of those who are yet unborn.

ADDISON.

That is a good book which is opened with expectation and closed with profit.

ALCCTT.

Some books are to be tasted; others, to be swallowed; and some few, to be chewed and digested.

ΒΑΦΩΝ.

If a book come from the heart, it will contrive to reach other hearts; all art and authorcraft are of small amount to that.

There is no Past so long as Books shall live.

CARLYLE.

BULWER-LYTTON.

CHARACTER.

Many men build as cathedrals were built-the part nearest he ground finished, but that part which soars toward heaven, he turrets and the spires, for ever incomplete.

HENRY WARD BEECHER.

Every one of us, whatever our speculative opinions, knows better than he practices and recognizes a better law than he obeys.

FROUDE.

Human improvement is from within outward.

FROUDE.

Handsome is that handsome does.

GOLDSMITH.

In this world a man must be either anvil or hammer.

LONGFELLOW.

Not in the clamor of the crowded street,
Not in the shouts and plaudits of the throng,
But in ourselves, are triumph and defeat.

LONGFELLOW.

Charms strike the sight, but merit wins the soul.

POPE.

The true grandeur of nations is in those qualities which con stitute the true greatness of the individual.

He makes no friend who never made a foe.

CHARLES SUMNER.

TENNYSON.

Whoe'er amidst the sons

Of reason, valor, liberty and virtue

Displays distinguished merit is a noble
Of Nature's own creating.

CHARITY.

THOMSON

Charity is a virtue of the heart, and not of the hands.

ADDISON.

To pity distress is but human; to relieve it is godlike.

HORACE MANN.

They serve God well

Who serve his creatures.

MRS. NORTON.

CHILDREN.

They are idols of hearts and of households;
They are angels of God in disguise.

CHARLES M. DICKINSON.

Children are what the mothers are.

Ah! what would the world be to us
If the children were no more?
We should dread the desert behind us
Worse than the dark before.

LANDOR

LONGFELLOW.

Behold the child, by Nature's kindly law,
Pleased with a rattle, tickled with a straw.

A truthful page is childhood's lovely face,

Whereon sweet Innocence has record made-
An outward semblance of the young heart's grace,
Where truth and love and trust are all portrayed.

The child is father of the man.

CONFIDENCE.

Self-trust is the essence of heroism.

SHILLABER

WORDSWORTH.

EMERSON.