ABILITY.- Ability is a poor man's wealth.-M. Wren.

Ability involves responsibility: power, to its last particle, is duty.-A. Maclaren.

What we do upon some great occasion will probably depend on what we already are; and what we are will be the result of previous years of self-discipline.-H. P. Liddon.

Natural abilities can almost compensate for the want of every kind of cultivation, but no cultivation of the mind can make up for the want of natural abilities.-Schopenhauer.

Ability doth hit the mark where presumption over-shooteth and diffidence falleth short.-Cusa.

All may do what has by man been done.Young.

The height of ability consists in a thorough knowledge of the real value of things, and of the genius of the age in which we live.-Rochefoucauld.

Who does the best his circumstance ailows, does well, acts nobly, angels could no more.-Young.

The force of his own merit makes his way-a gift that heaven gives for him.Shakespeare.

The art of being able to make a good use of moderate abilities wins esteem, and often confers more reputation than greater real merit.-Rochefoucauld.

Men are often capable of greater things than they perform.-They are sent into the world with bills of credit, and seldom draw to their full extent.- Walpole.

As we advance in life, we learn the limit of our abilities.- Froude,

The abilities of man must fall short on one side or the other, like too scanty a blanket when you are abed.-If you pull it upon your shoulders, your feet are left bere; if you thrust it down to your feet,

your shoulders are uncovered.-Str W. Temple.

An able man shows his spirit by gentle words and resolute actions.-He is neither hot nor timid.—Chesterfield.

No man's abilities are so remarkably shining as not to stand in need of a proper opportunity, a patron, and even the praises of a friend to recommend them to the notice of the world.-Pliny.

Some persons of weak understanding are so sensible of that weakness, as to be able to make a good use of it.-Rochefoucauld.

We are often able because we think we are able.-J. Hawes.

The winds and waves are always on the side of the ablest navigators.-—Gibbon.

ABSENCE. - Absence from those we love is self from self-a deadly banishment.-Shakespeare.

Short absence quickens love; long absence kills it.-Mirabeau.

Love reckons hours for months, and days for years; and every little absence is an age.-Dryden.

Absence in love is like water upon fire; a little quickens, but much extinguishes it.Hannah More.

The absent are like children, helpless to defend themselves.-Charles Reade.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder.Bailey.

Absence lessens moderate passions and increases great ones; as the wind extinguishes the taper, but kindles the burning dwelling.-Rochefoucauld.

Distance of time and place generally cure what they seem to aggravate; and taking leave of our friends resembles taking leave of the world, of which it has been said, that it is not death, but dying, which is terrible.-Fielding.

Absence, like death, sets a seal on the