Juliet Signal

A Cooler to Vanity.—Christopher North thus rebukes inordinate self-esteem in young orators, by telling a story something like the following:

A certain young clergyman, who was by no means disposed to underrate the full power of his eloquence, having been invited to preach in a neighboring parish, complied. While preaching, he noticed that one of his audience, an interesting looking woman in mourning attire, appeared to be deeply affected. The young man, when service was over, spoke much to the minister of the parish about the case, with evident gratification at the powerful effect of his discourse, and proposed visiting the distressed hearer at once at her own house. This was acceded to, and having called upon her, the young man opened the conversation. "I perceived, my friend," said he, "that you seemed to feel very much under my discourse this morning, will you give us some account of the exercises of your mind?" "Ah!" said the woman, "I did indeed feel very much, as you say. You must know, Sir, that I am a poor, lone widow. I had a good husband, and every week he and I would take the old goat, with our little raisins from the garden, and by our sales could raise enough to keep us comfortable. But three years ago my man died, and then I had to go alone and do the best I could, with the help of the good beast. But a year ago my dear old goat died too," (here she burst into tears) "and here I have been, alone ever since, and this morning," (she continued sobbing) "when I went to church and heard your voice, it sounded so much like the dear old goat, that I couldn't help crying; I couldn't—Boo, hoo, hoo."