The massive gates of circumstance
Are turned upon the smallest hinge,
And thus some seeming pettiest chance
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The massive gates of circumstance
Are turned upon the smallest hinge,
And thus some seeming pettiest chance
Oft gives our life its after-tinge.
The trifles of our daily lives,
The common things, scarce worth recall,
Whereof no visible trace survives,
These are the mainsprings after all.

By some fortuitous concourse of atoms.
[Lat., Fortuito quodam concursu atomorum.]

By some fortuitous concourse of atoms.
[Lat., Fortuito quodam concursu atomorum.]

To what fortuitous occurrence do we not owe every pleasure and
convenience of our lives.

To what fortuitous occurrence do we not owe every pleasure and
convenience of our lives.

The changeful change of circumstances.
[Lat., Varia sors rerum.]

The changeful change of circumstances.
[Lat., Varia sors rerum.]

So runs the round of life from hour to hour.

So runs the round of life from hour to hour.

Thus neither the praise nor the blame is our own.

Thus neither the praise nor the blame is our own.

Who does the best that circumstance allows,
Does well, acts nobly, angels could no more.

Who does the best that circumstance allows,
Does well, acts nobly, angels could no more.

F.M. The Duke of Wellington presents his compliments to Mr.
------ and declines to interfere in circumstances over which read more

F.M. The Duke of Wellington presents his compliments to Mr.
------ and declines to interfere in circumstances over which he
has no control.

For these attacks do not contribute to make us frail but rather
show us to be what we are.

For these attacks do not contribute to make us frail but rather
show us to be what we are.