Nothing contributes more certainly to the animal spirits than benevolence.  Servants and common people are always about you; make moderate attempts to please everybody, and the effort will insensibly lead you to a more happy state of mind.  Pleasure is very reflective, and if you give it you will feel it.  The pleasure you give by kindness of manner returns to you, and often with compound interest.  The receipt for cheerfulness is not to have one motive only in the day for living, but a number of little motives; a man who, from the time he rises till bedtime, conducts himself like a gentleman, who throws some little condescension into his manner to superiors, and who is always contriving to soften the distance between himself and the poor and ignorant, is always improving his animal spirits, and adding to his happiness.

I recommend lights as a great improver of animal spirits.  How is it possible to be happy with two mould candles ill snuffed?  You may be virtuous, and wise, and good, but two candles will not do for animal spirits.  Every night the room in which I sit is lighted up like a town after a great naval victory, and in this cereous galaxy, and with a blazing fire, it is scarcely possible to be low-spirited; a thousand pleasing images spring up in the mind, and I can see the little blue demons scampering off like parish boys pursued by the beadle.

MRS. PARTINGTON
[Sidenote:  Sydney Smith]

As for the possibility of the House of Lords preventing ere long a reform of Parliament, I hold it to be the most absurd notion that ever entered into human imagination.  I do not mean to be disrespectful, but the attempt of the Lords to stop the progress of Reform reminds me very forcibly of the great storm of Sidmouth, and of the conduct of the excellent Mrs. Partington on that occasion.  In the winter of 1824 there set in a great flood upon that town—­the tide rose to an incredible height, the waves rushed in upon the houses, and everything was threatened with destruction.  In the midst of this sublime and terrible storm, Dame Partington, who lived upon the beach, was seen at the door of her house with mop and pattens, trundling her mop, squeezing out the sea-water, and vigorously pushing away the Atlantic Ocean.  The Atlantic was roused, Mrs. Partington’s spirit was up; but I need not tell you that the contest was unequal.  The Atlantic Ocean beat Mrs. Partington.  She was excellent at a slop or a puddle, but she should not have meddled with a tempest.  Gentlemen, be at your ease—­be quiet and steady—­you will beat—­Mrs. Partington.

HOW MARK EDITED AN AGRICULTURAL PAPER
[Sidenote:  Mark Twain]

I did not take the temporary editorship of an agricultural paper without misgivings.  Neither would a landsman take command of a ship without misgivings.  But I was in circumstances that made the salary an object.  The regular editor of the paper was going off for a holiday, and I accepted the terms he offered, and took his place.