They have greater opportunity of observing human nature; but here also the books are too many and various.

They are cleverer than country boys, but they are less profound; their observation may be quicker; their perception is shallower.

They know better what to do on an emergency; they know worse how to order their ways.

Of course, in this, as in a thousand other matters, Nature will burst out laughing in the face of the would-be philosopher, and bringing forward her town boy, will say, 'Look here!' For the town boys are Nature's boys after all, at least so long as doctrines of self-preservation and ambition have not turned them from children of the kingdom into dirt-worms.

But I must stop, for I am getting up to the neck in a bog of discrimination.