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ABOUT PEOPLE.

man and a more easily recognized concept of thought, than the myriad beauty and separateness of leaf and stone, of cloud and snow-flake, the individuality of and in nature.

Somehow we all like to be called individual, if the word is applied as an adjective; the epithet original our modesty refuses, while to be told that we have idiosyncrasies or peculiarities excites our silent or outspoken ire. The frank information that the complexion is bad, tones of voice and manners annoying, is most disagreeable; but to be regarded as individual places us on a height from which we serenely take note of others' peculiarities. Individuality, idiosyncrasy, peculiarity, — they are the three terms in which our distinctiveness is rated, yet each falls short of the force of the word genius. We are right, however, in liking to be considered individual, for it is a recognition that we have striven for something; it is better to be on the heights — if noble heights — than on the plains. For something, that is

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