1/13/3

        While I can and do certainly agree with the comments of Mr. Bharman
on the subject--and the residue--of other people's tragedies, at least to a
major degree, his question about "why" we seem to revel in our brothers'
mishaps has over the centuries been addressed by all manner of sage
observers, most of them evidently keeping a straight face while they
uttered timeless nuggets. Darwin himself once wrote,"I love fools'
experiments.  I am always making them myself."

        Check out your dictionary of quotations under some key words to
learn something about "why."


        To wit:

         La Rouchefoucald: "We all have strength enough to endure the
misfortunes of others.

        Alexander Pope: "I never knew any man in my life who could not bear
another's misfortunes like a Christian."

        Boethius: "In every adversity of fortune, to have been happy is the
most unhappy kind of misfortune."

        Shakespeare: "Sweet are the uses of adversity,
                      Which, like the toad,ugly and venomous,
                      Wears yet a precious jewel in his head
                      And this our life exempt from public haunt
                      Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks,
                      Sermons in stones, and good in everything."

        But in the face of such optimism, there is always that dreadful
prospect of being sent somewhere you do not wish to go, as in:


        Anonymous: "Whoopee ti yi yo, git along little dogies,
                    It's your misfortune and none of my own,
                    Whoopee ti yi yo, git along little dogies,
                    For you know Wyoming will be your new home."

        Ever been to Wyoming in the winter?