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Never in any country in the world has the worship of mere talent been carried to such an extent as in France. And the word “talent” is not here intended to imply capacity, but rather a kind of aptitude enabling its owner to shine. It is the kind of superiority in which is involved so much address and readiness of wit that it quickly degenerates into savoir faire, whereas genuine “capacity” leads its possessor to varied excellence, whence force of character and steadfastness of will can never be quite absent, or the capacity is an inferior one. But among the curiosities of French civilisation too superficially studied by foreigners is the habit of identifying every sort of superiority with the superiorities recognised by “society” and the “Court”—those of birth, position, and fashion.

A very remarkable proof of this lies in the attribution of honesty itself only to a certain class. The word “les honnêtes gens” was distinctive of those only who had the necessary qualifications for moving in the highest spheres—anything lower than that was not in the magic circle; and, besides the assumption of “honesty,” and of certain qualities constituting the British notion of a “gentleman,” talent was also instinctively ranked as belonging properly to those of a distinguished social standing.
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Peter Hagaman was a large man, fully six feet tall, bony and muscular. He had a rugged face, coarse dark hair and dark eys. He stood erect, had a stalwart appearance, and was very strong…

Notwithstanding his size, he was quick in movement, and deft in every branch of his vocation. His ful eys, set in a ful face, exprest the generous impulses of his nobl character. Benevolence was the leading trait of the moral element of this strong man. To hav plenty, to deal generously with all, to be kind to the poor, to encurage everything that tended to improve the condition of society and make the world better was his aim and effort.

A feature of the man is seen in this litl occurrence: One day Nelson Young Esq., said to him: “Mr. Hagaman! Why do you not sel that piece of timber?—It wil bring you a handsum price; the muney at interest wil be a handsum incum; and you, as long as you may liv, wil never need so much timber!”

Mr. Hagaman replied: “When I came into the world, there was timber here for my use; when I die, I wish to leav what I can for the use of those who liv after me.” Of that element that we call selfish his hart was barren.

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…We mention these things that parents may not be disappointed, or expect more from the occupation of a garden than it can at a very early age afford. A garden is an excellent resource for children, but they should have a variety of other occupations: rainy days, and frost and snow will come, and then children must be occupied within doors.

We immediately think of a little set of carpenter’s tools, to supply them with active amusement. Boys will probably be more inclined to attempt making models than drawings of the furniture which appears to be the most easy to imitate; they will imagine, that if they had but tools, they could make boxes, and desks, and beds, and chests of drawers, and tables, and chairs innumerable. But, alas! these fond hopes are too soon dissipated.

Suppose a boy of seven years old to be provided with a small set of carpenter’s tools, his father thinks, perhaps, that he has made him completely happy; but a week afterwards the father finds dreadful marks of the file and saw upon his mahogany tables; the use of these tools is immediately interdicted until a bench shall be procured. Week after week passes away, till at length the frequently reiterated speech of, “Papa, you bid me put you in mind about my bench, “Papa” has its effect, and the bench appears.
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