order a slave, or some one handy, to remove the cause of offence. If, however, this is done too often, the fire will disappear and the cold will become more troublesome than the smoke was. The proverb warns men to choose the lesser of two evils, not to incur the risk of a greater for the purpose of ridding oneself of the smaller trouble." -Richard F. Burton.

Thou hast added water, add flour also. (Hebrew). You have asked many questions, now say something that is worth listening to.

Today drunk with fun, tomorrow the paddle. (Mauritius Čreole).

The proverb has special reference to slave days when neglect of duty was followed by punish

ment.

To reckon another's buttons. (Spanish).

The saying contains an allusion to a skilful fencer who is able to strike any part of his antagonist's body, and is applied to people who are shrewd in dealing with others.

To say "I" is the devil's affair. (Osmanli).
An egotist is the product of the devil.

Two to one I shall change myself to a crane. (Spanish). If my antagonist is superior to me in strength, there are two chances to one that I will retreat.

What comes over the devil's back goes under his belly. (English).

What one gains by dishonest practices will not profit the possessor and may bring much trouble. "By my faith,' said Cleveland, 'thou takest so kindly to the trade, that all the world may see that no honest man was spoiled when you were made a pirate. But you shall not prevail on me to go farther in the devil's road with you; for you know yourself that what is got over his back is spent-you wot how.""-SIR WALTER Scott: The Pirate.

What you want to say, say it tomorrow. (Japanese). "Think before you speak." (English).

When a tree is blown down, it shows that the branches are larger than the roots. (Chinese).

Misfortune shows whether a man is strong in profession only, or in character.

"We live in our roots not in our branches. What is your soul? Not, what is your talk? What is your quality? Not, what is your pretension or profession? How many men there are who are all branch! What will become of them? Ask the wind."-Joseph Parker.

When death comes, the dog presses up to the wall of the mosque. (Osmanli).

When death draws near, men turn toward religion for comfort and strength.

When he was born, Solomon passed by his door and would not go in.

(Spanish).

He might have been a wise man, but he is nothing but a fool. Applied to people who seem to be lacking in common sense.

With an old kettle one can buy a new one. (Spanish). An old man with money can marry a young girl if he wishes to do so.

Within two and a half fingers' breadth of the sky. (Marathi).

His conceit is so great that he acts as though his head almost reached to the sky.

You may blow till your eyes start out, but if once you offer to stir your fingers you will be at the end of your lesson.

(Gascon).

This saying alludes to one blowing on a reed-pipe. "We can say, Cicero says thus; these were the manners of Plato; these are the very words of Aristotle. But what do we say ourselves that is our own? What do we do? What do we judge? A parrot could say as much as that."-Michael de Montaigne.

You will give I know, but you will eat your shoes. (Kashmiri).

To "eat your shoe" is to be beaten with a shoe.

You will pay your debt, but not until you are compelled to do so by a thrashing.

PROVERBS THAT ARE FOUNDED ON HISTORIC INCIDENTS, LEGENDS, FOLK-TALES, ETC.

A black beginning mak's aye a black end. (Scotch). Said to have been first spoken by one, John Scott, as a comment on the loss of a flock of sheep that perished in Selkirkshire, Scotland, during the winter of 1620. Only one black ewe escaped, but it was afterwards driven into a lake by some boys and so was drowned.

A black goat has no heart. (Behar).

Applied to weak and timid men who have no courage.

Among the natives of Behar, the bile of a black goat is considered valuable because of its healing qualities.

The following tale indicates the origin of the proverb:

"Once a tiger, who had grown sick and feeble from

age, and was unable to hunt owing to failing strength, was strongly recommended by his physician to try the liver of a black goat. Thereupon the monarch of the forest ordered his vazir, the jackal, to get him a black goat. The wily 'Jack' by many false promises managed to inveigle a black goat within reach of his infirm master, who took no time in killing it. The cunning jackal, who was himself eager to eat the liver, having heard of its marvellous powers, suggested to his master a preparatory bath before taking the remedy. The tiger approving of the suggestion went to have a bath. In the meantime Jack' devoured the liver of the black goat. When the tiger came back he was surprised to find that the goat had no liver. Turning to the jackal the tiger asked what was the meaning

of this. 'Sire,' exclaimed the 'Jack,' 'I thought your majesty was aware that black goats had no liver; otherwise how could your servant have deceived a black goat into your presence?'"'John Christian in Behar Proverbs.

A camel for a farthing and still too dear.

(Persian).

Used to indicate poverty so extreme that a farthing seemed to be a large sum.

According to an old Persian story a merchant, having met with business reverses, was reduced to extreme poverty. When in this condition he happened to be in a place where a man had a camel to sell. The merchant's son went to the camel dealer and inquired the price of the animal. On being told that it could be purchased for a farthing he informed his father, who declared that the price was too high. In time business success returned to the merchant and he became rich. Travelling again with his son, he came to a village where an egg was on sale for a rupee. The young man, hearing what was charged for it, told his father, who at once expressed the opinion that it was very cheap at the price, his changed standards being due not to his knowledge of value but to his altered circumstances.

A goat has only three legs. (Hindustani).

The

Sometimes it is quoted, "The hare has only three
legs,' or "The fowl has only one leg.
phrase is used in referring to obstinate people who,
though they are convicted of error, will not
acknowledge that they are wrong.

It is said to have been first used by a man who,
having stolen a leg of a goat, hare, or fowl, sought
to prove his innocence by stubbornly insisting
that the animal did not possess by nature more
legs than could be seen.

Agreement with two people, lamentation with three. (Kashmiri).

"Two is company, but three is none. (English). The proverb came from the following story: A certain man ordered a servant to lead his horse to pasture in a near village where there was some