Bygones Worth Remembering, Vol. 1 (of 2)

red to give an opinion of himself. Others will do that much better, if he will wait But if a man may not speak of himself at all-reports of adventure, of personal endeavour, or of serv

e of men or of opinions, I may venture upon-is written for the

der which alone they flourish. Noble maxims have their limitations. Few have universal applicability. If, for instance, the advice to "let bygones be bygones" be taken as universally true, strange questions arise. Are mistakes never more to teach us what to avoid? Are the errors of others no more to be a warning to us?

at reparation he can. The Bygone proverb does not apply to him. There are other derelictions of greater gravity than fall under the head of intellec

is well such things should be borne in mind by those who may renew, by fresh appointment, these opportunities of calamity. It would be to encourage in

ical man-traps, which never act when depredators are about. In human a

nnot be "thrust" on any man. It is true that intrinsic greatness is often left unrecognised. It would be a crime against progress were these cases

reason out their own. I merely explained the nature of what I took to be erroneous in theological and public affairs. Neither did I find fault with prevailing ideas, save where I could, or thought I could, suggest other principles of action more conducive to

y,-if his inquiry was relevant and I had the knowledge he sought Sometimes, as at Cheltenham (in 1842), when an i

eart not on

just

ow what yo

ezy vent

ng it, I came to be c

ut whether they relate to acts, or events, or opinions, to tragedy or gaiety, they are all meant to fulfil one condition-t

n rising, I said, "If you knocked me down, never mind; if I knocked you down, I beg your pardon." He did not reciprocate my forgiveness, thinking I had run against him intent