"
DEONTOLOGY, ii. 105-6.
(3) The following extract from a letter of M. Boyd, Esq., is given by
Earl Stanhope in his 'Miscellanies':- "There was a circumstance
told me by the late Mr. Christmas, who for many years held an
important official situation in the Bank of England. He was, I
believe, in early life a clerk in the Treasury, or one of the
government offices, and for some time acted for Mr. Pitt as his
confidential clerk, or temporary private secretary. Christmas was
one of the most obliging men I ever knew; and, from the, position
he occupied, was constantly exposed to interruptions, yet I never
saw his temper in the least ruffled. One day I found him more
than usually engaged, having a mass of accounts to prepare for one
of the law-courts--still the same equanimity, and I could not
resist the opportunity of asking the old gentleman the secret.
'Well, Mr. Boyd, you shall know it. Mr. Pitt gave it to me:--
NOT TO LOSE MY TEMPER, IF POSSIBLE, AT ANY TIME, AND NEVER
DURING THE HOURS OF BUSINESS. My labours here (Bank of England)
commence at nine and end at three; and, acting on the advice
of the illustrious statesman, I NEVER LOSE MY TEMPER DURING
THOSE HOURS.'"
(4) 'Strafford Papers,' i. 87.
(5) Jared Sparks' 'Life of Washington,' pp. 7, 534.
(6) Brialmont's 'Life of Wellington.'
(7) Professor Tyndall, on 'Faraday as a Discoverer,' p. 156.
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