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116 HOW TO SETTLE A DISPUTE.

shrug their shoulders, and make unmeaning
explanations.”

The Englishman stared at the American,
as if he, tooy thought him out of his mind.
At last he said to him, “ Sir, these letters are
addressed to gentlemen in Bourdeaux : where
do you suppose you are?”

“In Bourdeaux, to be sure,” said the
American. . ‘

‘Not so,” said the Englishman: “ you are
in the city of Lyons, 700 miles from Bour-
deaux.” The simple explanation of the whole
scene was, that the traveller had entered the
wrong coach, and instead of proceeding to
Bourdeaux, had gone 400 miles in the oppo-
site direction. This story shows the im
portance of looking well to the outset of a
journey ; or, if you please, to the commence-
ment of a discourse, or a dispute. In the one
case, be sure to enter the right coach ; in the
other, start with a clear understanding.

If, unluckily, you should ‘by any chance
get into a dispute, the best way is to’stop
short, and ask your antagonist te enter into a
consideration of what the point of Jebate is.
This is apt to have a cooling effect upon both, '

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