" In the Phaedrus of Plato, we find this petition
in the mouth of Socrates; "O gracious Pan! and ye other gods who
preside over this place! grant that I may be beautiful within; and
that those external things, which I have, may be such as may best
agree with a right internal disposition of mind; and that I may
account him to be rich, who is wise and just." Wacic the Caliph, who
died A. D. 845, ended his life, the Arabian historians tell us, with
these words; "O thou whose kingdom never passes away, pity one whose
dignity is so transient." But what led us to these remembrances was
the happy accident which in this undevoutage lately brought us
acquainted with two or three diaries which attest, if there be need
of attestation, the eternity of the sentiment and its equality to
itself through all the variety of expression. The first is the
prayer of a deaf and dumb boy.
"When my long-attached friend comes to me, I have pleasure to
converse with him, and I rejoice to pass my eyes over his
countenance; but soon I am weary of spending my time causelessly and
unimproved and I desire to leave him, (_but not in rudeness_,)
because I wish to be engaged in my business.
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