bondsman.  “Just sign me this little bit of paper,” was a request often made to him by particular friends, “What is it?” he would mildly ask; for, with all his simplicity, he prided himself upon his caution!  Yet he never refused.  Three months after, a bill for a rather heavy amount would fall due, and who should be called upon to make it good but everybody’s friend—­the man who couldn’t say “No.”

At last a maltster, for whom he was bondsman—­a person with whom he had only a nodding acquaintance—­suddenly came to a stand in his business, ruined by heavy speculations in funds and shares; when the man who couldn’t say “No” was called upon to make good the heavy duties due to the Crown.  It was a heavy stroke, and made him a poor man.  But he never grew wise.  He was a post against which every needy fellow came and rubbed himself; a tap, from which every thirsty soul could drink; a flitch, at which every hungry dog had a pull; an ass, on which every needy rogue must have his ride; a mill, that ground everybody’s corn but his own; in short, a “good-hearted fellow,” who couldn’t for the life of him say “No.”

It is of great importance to a man’s peace and well-being that he should be able to say “No” at the right time.  Many are ruined because they cannot or will not say it.  Vice often gains a footing within us, because we will not summon up the courage to say “No.”  We offer ourselves too often as willing sacrifices to the fashion of the world, because we have not the honesty to pronounce the little word.  The duellist dares not say “No,” for he would be “cut.”  The beauty hesitates to say it, when a rich blockhead offers her his hand, because she has set her ambition on an “establishment.”  The courtier will not say it, for he must smile and promise to all.

When pleasure tempts with its seductions, have the courage to say “No” at once.  The little monitor within will approve the decision; and virtue will become stronger by the act.  When dissipation invites, and offers its secret pleasures, boldly say “No.”  If you do not, if you acquiesce and succumb, virtue will have gone from you, and your self-reliance will have received a fatal shock.  The first time may require an effort; but strength will grow with use.  It is the only way of meeting temptations to idleness, to self-indulgence, to folly, to bad custom, to meet it at once with an indignant “No.”  There is, indeed, great virtue in a “No,” when pronounced at the right time.

A man may live beyond his means until he has nothing left.  He may die in debt, and yet “society” does not quit its hold of him until he is laid in his grave.  He must be buried as “society” is buried.  He must have a fashionable funeral.  He must, to the last, bear witness to the power of Mrs. Grundy.  It is to please her, that the funeral cloaks, hatbands, scarves, mourning coaches, gilded hearses, and processions of mutes are hired.  And yet, how worthless and extravagant is the mummery of the undertaker’s grief; and the feigned woe of the mutes, saulies, and plume bearers, who are paid for their day’s parade!