ThecareerofthelateDr。MarshallHallwasalifelongillustrationoftheinfluenceofcharacterinformingcharacter。
Manyeminentmenstilllivingtracetheirsuccessinlifetohissuggestionsandassistance，withoutwhichseveralvaluablelinesofstudyandinvestigationmightnothavebeenenteredon，atleastatsoearlyaperiod。Hewouldsaytoyoungmenabouthim，”Takeupasubjectandpursueitwell，andyoucannotfailtosucceed。”Andoftenhewouldthrowoutanewideatoayoungfriend，saying，”Imakeyouapresentofit；thereisfortuneinit，ifyoupursueitwithenergy。”
Energyofcharacterhasalwaysapowertoevokeenergyinothers。
Itactsthroughsympathy，oneofthemostinfluentialofhumanagencies。Thezealousenergeticmanunconsciouslycarriesothersalongwithhim。Hisexampleiscontagious，andcompelsimitation。
Heexercisesasortofelectricpower，whichsendsathrillthrougheveryfibre——flowsintothenatureofthoseabouthim，andmakesthemgiveoutsparksoffire。
Dr。Arnold’sbiographer，speakingofthepowerofthiskindexercisedbyhimoveryoungmen，says:”Itwasnotsomuchanenthusiasticadmirationfortruegenius，orlearning，oreloquence，whichstirredwithinthem；itwasasympatheticthrill，caughtfromaspiritthatwasearnestlyatworkintheworld——
whoseworkwashealthy，sustained，andconstantlycarriedforwardinthefearofGod——aworkthatwasfoundedonadeepsenseofitsdutyanditsvalue。”(7)
Suchapower，exercisedbymenofgenius，evokescourage，enthusiasm，anddevotion。Itisthisintenseadmirationforindividuals——suchasonecannotconceiveentertainedforamultitude——whichhasinalltimesproducedheroesandmartyrs。
Itisthusthatthemasteryofcharactermakesitselffelt。Itactsbyinspiration，quickeningandvivifyingthenaturessubjecttoitsinfluence。
Greatmindsarerichinradiatingforce，notonlyexertingpower，butcommunicatingandevencreatingit。ThusDanteraisedanddrewafterhimahostofgreatspirits——Petrarch，Boccacio，Tasso，andmanymore。FromhimMiltonlearnttobearthestingsofeviltonguesandthecontumelyofevildays；andlongyearsafter，Byron，thinkingofDanteunderthepine-treesofRavenna，wasincitedtoattunehisharptoloftierstrainsthanhehadeverattemptedbefore。DanteinspiredthegreatestpaintersofItaly——
Giotto，Orcagna，MichaelAngelo，andRaphael。SoAriostoandTitianmutuallyinspiredoneanother，andlightedupeachother’sglory。
Greatandgoodmendrawothersafterthem，excitingthespontaneousadmirationofmankind。Thisadmirationofnoblecharacterelevatesthemind，andtendstoredeemitfromthebondageofself，oneofthegreateststumblingblockstomoralimprovement。Therecollectionofmenwhohavesignalisedthemselvesbygreatthoughtsorgreatdeeds，seemsasiftocreateforthetimeapureratmospherearoundus:andwefeelasifouraimsandpurposeswereunconsciouslyelevated。”Tellmewhomyouadmire，”saidSainte-Beuve，”andIwilltellyouwhatyouare，atleastasregardsyourtalents，tastes，andcharacter。”Doyouadmiremeanmen？——yourownnatureismean。
Doyouadmirerichmen？——youareoftheearth，earthy。Doyouadmiremenoftitle？——youareatoad-eater，oratuft-hunter。(8)
Doyouadmirehonest，brave，andmanlymen？——youareyourselfofanhonest，brave，andmanlyspirit。
Itisintheseasonofyouth，whilethecharacterisforming，thattheimpulsetoadmireisthegreatest。Asweadvanceinlife，wecrystallizeintohabit；and”NILADMIRARI”toooftenbecomesourmotto。Itiswelltoencouragetheadmirationofgreatcharacterswhilethenatureisplasticandopentoimpressions；forifthegoodarenotadmired——asyoungmenwillhavetheirheroesofsomesort——mostprobablythegreatbadmaybetakenbythemformodels。HenceitalwaysrejoicedDr。Arnoldtohearhispupilsexpressingadmirationofgreatdeeds，orfullofenthusiasmforpersonsorevenscenery。”Ibelieve，”saidhe，”that”NIL
ADMIRARI”isthedevil’sfavouritetext；andhecouldnotchooseabettertointroducehispupilsintothemoreesotericpartsofhisdoctrine。And，therefore，Ihavealwayslookeduponamaninfectedwiththedisorderofanti-romanceasonewhohaslostthefinestpartofhisnature，andhisbestprotectionagainsteverythinglowandfoolish。”(9)
ItwasafinetraitinthecharacterofPrinceAlbertthathewasalwayssoreadytoexpressgenerousadmirationofthegooddeedsofothers。”Hehadthegreatestdelight，”saystheablestdelineatorofhischaracter，”inanybodyelsesayingafinesaying，ordoingagreatdeed。Hewouldrejoiceoverit，andtalkaboutitfordays；andwhetheritwasathingnoblysaidordonebyalittlechild，orbyaveteranstatesman，itgavehimequalpleasure。Hedelightedinhumanitydoingwellonanyoccasionandinanymanner。”(10)”Noquality，”saidDr。Johnson，”willgetamanmorefriendsthanasincereadmirationofthequalitiesofothers。Itindicatesgenerosityofnature，frankness，cordiality，andcheerfulrecognitionofmerit。”Itwastothesincere——itmightalmostbesaidthereverential——admirationofJohnsonbyBoswell，thatweoweoneofthebestbiographieseverwritten。OneisdisposedtothinkthattheremusthavebeensomegenuinegoodqualitiesinBoswelltohavebeenattractedbysuchamanasJohnson，andtohavekeptfaithfultohisworshipinspiteofrebuffsandsnubbingsinnumerable。MacaulayspeaksofBoswellasanaltogethercontemptibleperson——asacoxcombandabore——weak，vain，pushing，curious，garrulous；andwithoutwit，humour，oreloquence。ButCarlyleisdoubtlessmorejustinhischaracterisationofthebiographer，inwhom——vainandfoolishthoughhewasinmanyrespects——heseesamanpenetratedbytheoldreverentfeelingofdiscipleship，fullofloveandadmirationfortruewisdomandexcellence。Withoutsuchqualities，Carlyleinsists，the’LifeofJohnson’nevercouldhavebeenwritten。”Boswellwroteagoodbook，”hesays，”becausehehadaheartandaneyetodiscernwisdom，andanutterancetorenderitforth；
becauseofhisfreeinsight，hislivelytalent，and，aboveall，ofhisloveandchildlikeopenmindedness。”
Mostyoungmenofgenerousmindhavetheirheroes，especiallyiftheybebook-readers。ThusAllanCunningham，whenamason’sapprenticeinNithsdale，walkedallthewaytoEdinburghforthesolepurposeofseeingSirWalterScottashepassedalongthestreet。Weunconsciouslyadmiretheenthusiasmofthelad，andrespecttheimpulsewhichimpelledhimtomakethejourney。ItisrelatedofSirJoshuaReynolds，thatwhenaboyoften，hethrusthishandthroughinterveningrowsofpeopletotouchPope，asiftherewereasortofvirtueinthecontact。Atamuchlaterperiod，thepainterHaydonwasproudtoseeandtotouchReynoldswhenonavisittohisnativeplace。Rogersthepoetusedtotellofhisardentdesire，whenaboy，toseeDr。Johnson；butwhenhishandwasontheknockerofthehouseinBoltCourt，hiscouragefailedhim，andheturnedaway。SothelateIsaacDisraeli，whenayouth，calledatBoltCourtforthesamepurpose；andthoughbeHADthecouragetoknock，tohisdismayhewasinformedbytheservantthatthegreatlexicographerhadbreathedhislastonlyafewhoursbefore。
Onthecontrary，smallandungenerousmindscannotadmireheartily。Totheirowngreatmisfortune，theycannotrecognise，muchlessreverence，greatmenandgreatthings。Themeannatureadmiresmeanly。Thetoad’shighestideaofbeautyishistoadess。
Thesmallsnob’shighestideaofmanhoodisthegreatsnob。Theslave-dealervaluesamanaccordingtohismuscles。WhenaGuineatraderwastoldbySirGodfreyKneller，inthepresenceofPope，thathesawbeforehimtwoofthegreatestmenintheworld，hereplied:”Idon’tknowhowgreatyoumaybe，butIdon’tlikeyourlooks。Ihaveoftenboughtamanmuchbetterthanbothofyoutogether，allbonesandmuscles，fortenguineas！”
AlthoughRochefoucauld，inoneofhismaxims，saysthatthereissomethingthatisnotaltogetherdisagreeabletousinthemisfortunesofevenourbestfriends，itisonlythesmallandessentiallymeannaturethatfindspleasureinthedisappointment，andannoyanceatthesuccessofothers。Thereare，unhappily，forthemselves，personssoconstitutedthattheyhavenotthehearttobegenerous。Themostdisagreeableofallpeoplearethosewho”sitintheseatofthescorner。”Personsofthissortoftencometoregardthesuccessofothers，eveninagoodwork，asakindofpersonaloffence。Theycannotbeartohearanotherpraised，especiallyifhebelongtotheirownart，orcalling，orprofession。Theywillpardonaman’sfailures，butcannotforgivehisdoingathingbetterthantheycando。Andwheretheyhavethemselvesfailed，theyarefoundtobethemostmercilessofdetractors。Thesourcriticthinksofhisrival:”WhenHeavenwithsuchpartshasblesthim，HaveInotreasontodetesthim？”
Themeanmindoccupiesitselfwithsneering，carping，andfault-
finding；andisreadytoscoffateverythingbutimpudenteffronteryorsuccessfulvice。Thegreatestconsolationofsuchpersonsarethedefectsofmenofcharacter。”Ifthewiseerrednot，”saysGeorgeHerbert，”itwouldgohardwithfools。”Yet，thoughwisemenmaylearnoffoolsbyavoidingtheirerrors，foolsrarelyprofitbytheexamplewhich，wisemensetthem。AGermanwriterhassaidthatitisamiserabletemperthatcaresonlytodiscovertheblemishesinthecharacterofgreatmenorgreatperiods。LetusratherjudgethemwiththecharityofBolingbroke，who，whenremindedofoneoftheallegedweaknessesofMarlborough，observed，——”HewassogreatamanthatIforgothehadthatdefect。”
Admirationofgreatmen，livingordead，naturallyevokesimitationoftheminagreaterorlessdegree。Whileamereyouth，themindofThemistocleswasfiredbythegreatdeedsofhiscontemporaries，andhelongedtodistinguishhimselfintheserviceofhiscountry。WhentheBattleofMarathonhadbeenfought，hefellintoastateofmelancholy；andwhenaskedbyhisfriendsastothecause，hereplied”thatthetrophiesofMiltiadeswouldnotsufferhimtosleep。”Afewyearslater，wefindhimattheheadoftheAthenianarmy，defeatingthePersianfleetofXerxesinthebattlesofArtemisiumandSalamis，——hiscountrygratefullyacknowledgingthatithadbeensavedthroughhiswisdomandvalour。
ItisrelatedofThucydidesthat，whenaboy，heburstintotearsonhearingHerodotusreadhisHistory，andtheimpressionmadeuponhismindwassuchastodeterminethebentofhisowngenius。
AndDemostheneswassofiredononeoccasionbytheeloquenceofCallistratus，thattheambitionwasrousedwithinhimofbecominganoratorhimself。YetDemostheneswasphysicallyweak，hadafeeblevoice，indistinctarticulation，andshortnessofbreath——
defectswhichhewasonlyenabledtoovercomebydiligentstudyandinvincibledetermination。But，withallhispractice，heneverbecameareadyspeaker；allhisorations，especiallythemostfamousofthem，exhibitingindicationsofcarefulelaboration，——theartandindustryoftheoratorbeingvisibleinalmosteverysentence。
Similarillustrationsofcharacterimitatingcharacter，andmouldingitselfbythestyleandmannerandgeniusofgreatmen，aretobefoundpervadingallhistory。Warriors，statesmen，orators，patriots，poets，andartists——allhavebeen，moreorlessunconsciously，nurturedbythelivesandactionsofotherslivingbeforethemorpresentedfortheirimitation。
Greatmenhaveevokedtheadmirationofkings，popes，andemperors。FrancisdeMedicisneverspoketoMichaelAngelowithoutuncovering，andJuliusIII。madehimsitbyhissidewhileadozencardinalswerestanding。CharlesV。madewayforTitian；
andoneday，whenthebrushdroppedfromthepainter’shand，Charlesstoopedandpickeditup，saying，”Youdeservetobeservedbyanemperor。”LeoX。threatenedwithexcommunicationwhoevershouldprintandsellthepoemsofAriostowithouttheauthor’sconsent。ThesamepopeattendedthedeathbedofRaphael，asFrancisI。didthatofLeonardodaVinci。
ThoughHaydnoncearchlyobservedthathewaslovedandesteemedbyeverybodyexceptprofessorsofmusic，yetallthegreatestmusicianswereunusuallyreadytorecogniseeachother’sgreatness。Haydnhimselfseemstohavebeenentirelyfreefrompettyjealousy。HisadmirationofthefamousPorporawassuch，thatheresolvedtogainadmissiontohishouse，andservehimasavalet。HavingmadetheacquaintanceofthefamilywithwhomPorporalived，hewasallowedtoofficiateinthatcapacity。
Earlyeachmorninghetookcaretobrushtheveteran’scoat，polishhisshoes，andputhisrustywiginorder。AtfirstPorporagrowledattheintruder，buthisasperitysoonsoftened，andeventuallymeltedintoaffection。Hequicklydiscoveredhisvalet’sgenius，and，byhisinstructions，directeditintothelineinwhichHaydneventuallyacquiredsomuchdistinction。
HaydnhimselfwasenthusiasticinhisadmirationofHandel。”Heisthefatherofusall，”hesaidononeoccasion。ScarlattifollowedHandelinadmirationalloverItaly，and，whenhisnamewasmentioned，becrossedhimselfintokenofveneration。
Mozart’srecognitionofthegreatcomposerwasnotlesshearty。”Whenhechooses，”saidhe，”Handelstrikeslikethethunderbolt。”
Beethovenhailedhimas”Themonarchofthemusicalkingdom。”
WhenBeethovenwasdying，oneofhisfriendssenthimapresentofHandel’sworks，infortyvolumes。Theywerebroughtintohischamber，and，gazingonthemwithreanimatedeye，beexclaimed，pointingatthemwithhisfinger，”There——thereisthetruth！”
Haydnnotonlyrecognisedthegeniusofthegreatmenwhohadpassedaway，butofhisyoungcontemporaries，MozartandBeethoven。Smallmenmaybeenviousoftheirfellows，butreallygreatmenseekoutandloveeachother。OfMozart，Haydnwrote”I
onlywishIcouldimpressoneveryfriendofmusic，andongreatmeninparticular，thesamedepthofmusicalsympathy，andprofoundappreciationofMozart’sinimitablemusic，thatImyselffeelandenjoy；thennationswouldviewitheachothertopossesssuchajewelwithintheirfrontiers。Pragueoughtnotonlytostrivetoretainthispreciousman，butalsotoremuneratehim；
forwithoutthisthehistoryofagreatgeniusissadindeed……
ItenragesmetothinkthattheunparalleledMozartisnotyetengagedbysomeimperialorroyalcourt。Forgivemyexcitement；
butIlovethemansodearly！”
MozartwasequallygenerousinhisrecognitionofthemeritsofHaydn。”Sir，”saidhetoacritic，speakingofthelatter，”ifyouandIwerebothmelteddowntogether，weshouldnotfurnishmaterialsforoneHaydn。”AndwhenMozartfirstheardBeethoven，heobserved:”Listentothatyoungman；beassuredthathewillyetmakeagreatnameintheworld。”
BuffonsetNewtonaboveallotherphilosophers，andadmiredhimsohighlythathehadalwayshisportraitbeforehimwhilehesatatwork。SoSchillerlookeduptoShakspeare，whomhestudiedreverentlyandzealouslyforyears，untilhebecamecapableofcomprehendingnatureatfirst-hand，andthenhisadmirationbecameevenmoreardentthanbefore。
PittwasCanning’smasterandhero，whomhefollowedandadmiredwithattachmentanddevotion。”Tooneman，whilehelived，”saidCanning，”Iwasdevotedwithallmyheartandallmysoul。SincethedeathofMr。PittIacknowledgenoleader；mypoliticalallegianceliesburiedinhisgrave。”(11)
AFrenchphysiologist，M。Roux，wasoccupiedonedayinlecturingtohispupils，whenSirCharlesBell，whosediscoverieswereevenbetterknownandmorehighlyappreciatedabroadthanathome，strolledintohisclass-room。Theprofessor，recognisinghisvisitor，atoncestoppedhisexposition，saying:”MESSIEURS，C’EST
ASSEZPOURAUJOURD’HUI，VOUSAVEZVUSIRCHARLESBELL！”
Thefirstacquaintancewithagreatworkofarthasusuallyprovedanimportanteventineveryyoungartist’slife。WhenCorreggiofirstgazedonRaphael’s’SaintCecilia，’hefeltwithinhimselfanawakenedpower，andexclaimed，”AndItooamapainter”SoConstableusedtolookbackonhisfirstsightofClaude’spictureof’Hagar，’asforminganepochinhiscareer。SirGeorgeBeaumont’sadmirationofthesamepicturewassuchthathealwaystookitwithhiminhiscarriagewhenhetravelledfromhome。
Theexamplessetbythegreatandgooddonotdie；theycontinuetoliveandspeaktoallthegenerationsthatsucceedthem。ItwasveryimpressivelyobservedbyMr。Disraeli，intheHouseofCommons，shortlyafterthedeathofMr。Cobden:——”Thereisthisconsolationremainingtous，whenwerememberourunequalledandirreparablelosses，thatthosegreatmenarenotaltogetherlosttous——thattheirwordswilloftenbequotedinthisHouse——thattheirexampleswilloftenbereferredtoandappealedto，andthateventheirexpressionswillformpartofourdiscussionsanddebates。Therearenow，Imaysay，somemembersofParliamentwho，thoughtheymaynotbepresent，arestillmembersofthisHouse——whoareindependentofdissolutions，ofthecapricesofconstituencies，andevenofthecourseoftime。IthinkthatMr。
Cobdenwasoneofthosemen。”
Itisthegreatlessonofbiographytoteachwhatmancanbeandcandoathisbest。Itmaythusgiveeachmanrenewedstrengthandconfidence。Thehumblest，insightofeventhegreatest，mayadmire，andhope，andtakecourage。Thesegreatbrothersofoursinbloodandlineage，wholiveauniversallife，stillspeaktousfromtheirgraves，andbeckonusoninthepathswhichtheyhavetrod。Theirexampleisstillwithus，toguide，toinfluence，andtodirectus。Fornobilityofcharacterisaperpetualbequest；livingfromagetoage，andconstantlytendingtoreproduceitslike。”Thesage，”saytheChinese，”istheinstructorofahundredages。
WhenthemannersofLooareheardof，thestupidbecomeintelligent，andthewaveringdetermined。”Thustheactedlifeofagoodmancontinuestobeagospeloffreedomandemancipationtoallwhosucceedhim:”Toliveinheartsweleavebehind，isnottodie。”
Thegoldenwordsthatgoodmenhaveuttered，theexamplestheyhaveset，livethroughalltime:theypassintothethoughtsandheartsoftheirsuccessors，helpthemontheroadoflife，andoftenconsoletheminthehourofdeath。”Andthemostmiserableormostpainfulofdeaths，”saidHenryMarten，theCommonwealthman，whodiedinprison，”isasnothingcomparedwiththememoryofawell-spentlife；andgreataloneishewhohasearnedthegloriousprivilegeofbequeathingsuchalessonandexampletohissuccessors！
NOTES。
(1)’LettersofSirCharlesBell，’p。10。
(2)’AutobiographyofMaryAnneSchimmelpenninck，’p。179。
(3)DeanStanley’s’LifeofDr。Arnold，’i。151(Ed。1858)。
(4)LordCockburn’s’Memorials，’pp。25-6。
(5)FromaletterofCanonMoseley，readataMemorialMeetingheldshortlyafterthedeathofthelateLordHerbertofLea。
(6)IzaakWalton’s’LifeofGeorgeHerbert。’
(7)Stanley’s’LifeandLettersofDr。Arnold，’i。33。
(8)PhilipdeCominesgivesacuriousillustrationofthesubservient，thoughenforced，imitationofPhilip，DukeofBurgundy，byhiscourtiers。Whenthatprincefellill，andhadhisheadshaved，heorderedthatallhisnobles，fivehundredinnumber，shouldinlikemannershavetheirheads；andoneofthem，PierredeHagenbach，toprovehisdevotion，nosoonercaughtsightofanunshavennobleman，thanheforthwithhadhimseizedandcarriedofftothebarber！——PhilipdeComines(Bohn’sEd。)，p。243。
(9)’Life，’i。344。
(10)Introductionto’ThePrincipalSpeechesandAddressesofH。R。H。
thePrinceConsort，’p。33。
(11)SpeechatLiverpool，1812。
CHAPTERIV——WORK。”Arisetherefore，andbedoing，andtheLordbewiththee。”——
lCHRONICLESxxii。16。”Workasifthouhadsttoliveforaye；
Worshipasifthouwerttodieto-day。”——TUSCANPROVERB。”C’estparletravailqu’onregne。”——LOUISXIV”Blestwork！ifeverthouwertcurseofGod，WhatmustHisblessingbe！”——J。B。SELKIRK。”LeteverymanbeOCCUPIED，andoccupiedinthehighestemploymentofwhichhisnatureiscapable，anddiewiththeconsciousnessthathehasdonehisbest”——SydneySmith。
WORKisoneofthebesteducatorsofpracticalcharacter。Itevokesanddisciplinesobedience，self-control，attention，application，andperseverance；givingamandeftnessandskillinhisspecialcalling，andaptitudeanddexterityindealingwiththeaffairsofordinarylife。
Workisthelawofourbeing——thelivingprinciplethatcarriesmenandnationsonward。Thegreaternumberofmenhavetoworkwiththeirhands，asamatterofnecessity，inordertolive；butallmustworkinonewayoranother，iftheywouldenjoylifeasitoughttobeenjoyed。
Labourmaybeaburdenandachastisement，butitisalsoanhonourandaglory。Withoutit，nothingcanbeaccomplished。Allthatisgreatinmancomesthroughwork；andcivilisationisitsproduct。Werelabourabolished，theraceofAdamwereatoncestrickenbymoraldeath。
Itisidlenessthatisthecurseofman——notlabour。Idlenesseatstheheartoutofmenasofnations，andconsumesthemasrustdoesiron。WhenAlexanderconqueredthePersians，andhadanopportunityofobservingtheirmanners，heremarkedthattheydidnotseemconsciousthattherecouldbeanythingmoreservilethanalifeofpleasure，ormoreprincelythanalifeoftoil。
WhentheEmperorSeveruslayonhisdeathbedatYork，whitherhehadbeenborneonalitterfromthefootoftheGrampians，hisfinalwatchwordtohissoldierswas，”LABOREMUS”(wemustwork)；
andnothingbutconstanttoilmaintainedthepowerandextendedtheauthorityoftheRomangenerals。
IndescribingtheearliersocialconditionofItaly，whentheordinaryoccupationsofrurallifewereconsideredcompatiblewiththehighestcivicdignity，Plinyspeaksofthetriumphantgeneralsandtheirmen，returningcontentedlytotheplough。Inthosedaysthelandsweretilledbythehandsevenofgenerals，thesoilexultingbeneathaploughsharecrownedwithlaurels，andguidedbyahusbandmangracedwithtriumphs:”IPSORUMTUNCMANIBUS
IMPERATORUMCOLEBANTURAGRI:UTFASESTCREDERE，GAUDENTETERRA
VOMERELAUREATOETTRIUMPHALIARATORE。”(1)Itwasonlyafterslavesbecameextensivelyemployedinalldepartmentsofindustrythatlabourcametoberegardedasdishonourableandservile。AndsosoonasindolenceandluxurybecamethecharacteristicsoftherulingclassesofRome，thedownfalloftheempire，soonerorlater，wasinevitable。
Thereis，perhaps，notendencyofournaturethathastobemorecarefullyguardedagainstthanindolence。WhenMr。Gurneyaskedanintelligentforeignerwhohadtravelledoverthegreaterpartoftheworld，whetherhehadobservedanyonequalitywhich，morethananother，couldberegardedasauniversalcharacteristicofourspecies，hisanswerwas，inbrokenEnglish，”MetinkdatallmenLOVELAZY。”Itischaracteristicofthesavageasofthedespot。Itisnaturaltomentoendeavourtoenjoytheproductsoflabourwithoutitstoils。Indeed，souniversalisthisdesire，thatJamesMillhasarguedthatitwastopreventitsindulgenceattheexpenseofsocietyatlarge，thattheexpedientofGovernmentwasoriginallyinvented。(2)
Indolenceisequallydegradingtoindividualsastonations。
Slothnevermadeitsmarkintheworld，andneverwill。Slothneverclimbedahill，norovercameadifficultythatitcouldavoid。Indolencealwaysfailedinlife，andalwayswill。Itisinthenatureofthingsthatitshouldnotsucceedinanything。
Itisaburden，anincumbrance，andanuisance——alwaysuseless，complaining，melancholy，andmiserable。
Burton，inhisquaintandcurious，book——theonlyone，Johnsonsays，thatevertookhimoutofbedtwohourssoonerthanhewishedtorise——describesthecausesofMelancholyashingeingmainlyonIdleness。”Idleness，”hesays，”isthebaneofbodyandmind，thenurseofnaughtiness，thechiefmotherofallmischief，oneofthesevendeadlysins，thedevil’scushion，hispillowandchiefreposal……Anidledogwillbemangy；andhowshallanidlepersonescape？Idlenessofthemindismuchworsethanthatofthebody:wit，withoutemployment，isadisease——therustofthesoul，aplague，ahellitself。Asinastandingpool，wormsandfilthycreepersincrease，sodoevilandcorruptthoughtsinanidleperson；thesouliscontaminated……ThusmuchIdareboldlysay:heorshethatisidle，betheyofwhatconditiontheywill，neversorich，sowellallied，fortunate，happy——letthemhaveallthingsinabundanceandfelicitythatheartcanwishanddesire，allcontentment——solongashe，orshe，orthey，areidle，theyshallneverbepleased，neverwellinbodyormind，butwearystill，sicklystill，vexedstill，loathingstill，weeping，sighing，grieving，suspecting，offendedwiththeworld，witheveryobject，wishingthemselvesgoneordead，orelsecarriedawaywithsomefoolishphantasieorother。”(3)
Burtonsaysagreatdealmoretothesameeffect；theburdenandlessonofhisbookbeingembodiedinthepregnantsentencewithwhichitwindsup:-”Onlytakethisforacorollaryandconclusion，asthoutenderestthineownwelfareinthis，andallothermelancholy，thygoodhealthofbodyandmind，observethisshortprecept，Givenotwaytosolitarinessandidleness。BENOT
SOLITARY——BENOTIDLE。”(4)
Theindolent，however，arenotwhollyindolent。Thoughthebodymayshirklabour，thebrainisnotidle。Ifitdonotgrowcorn，itwillgrowthistles，whichwillbefoundspringingupallalongtheidleman’scourseinlife。Theghostsofindolenceriseupinthedark，everstaringtherecreantintheface，andtormentinghim:”Thegodsarejust，andofourpleasantvices，Makeinstrumenttoscourgeus。”
Truehappinessisneverfoundintorporofthefaculties，(5)butintheiractionandusefulemployment。Itisindolencethatexhausts，notaction，inwhichthereislife，health，andpleasure。Thespiritsmaybeexhaustedandweariedbyemployment，buttheyareutterlywastedbyidleness。Henseawisephysicianwasaccustomedtoregardoccupationasoneofhismostvaluableremedialmeasures。”Nothingissoinjurious，”saidDr。MarshallHall，”asunoccupiedtime。”AnarchbishopofMayenceusedtosaythat”thehumanheartislikeamillstone:ifyouputwheatunderit，itgrindsthewheatintoflour；ifyouputnowheat，itgrindson，butthen’tisitselfitwearsaway。”
Indolenceisusuallyfullofexcuses；andthesluggard，thoughunwillingtowork，isoftenanactivesophist。”Thereisalioninthepath；”or”Thehillishardtoclimb；”or”Thereisnousetrying——Ihavetried，andfailed，andcannotdoit。”Tothesophistriesofsuchanexcuser，SirSamuelRomillyoncewrotetoayoungman:-”Myattackuponyourindolence，lossoftime，&c。，wasmostserious，andIreallythinkthatitcanbetonothingbutyourhabitualwantofexertionthatcanbeascribedyourusingsuchcuriousargumentsasyoudoinyourdefence。Yourtheoryisthis:Everymandoesallthegoodthathecan。Ifaparticularindividualdoesnogood，itisaproofthatheisincapableofdoingit。Thatyoudon’twriteprovesthatyoucan’t；andyourwantofinclinationdemonstratesyourwantoftalents。Whatanadmirablesystem！——andwhatbeneficialeffectswoulditbeattendedwith，ifitwerebutuniversallyreceived！”
Ithasbeentrulysaid，thattodesiretopossess，withoutbeingburdenedwiththetroubleofacquiring，isasmuchasignofweakness，astorecognisethateverythingworthhavingisonlytobegotbypayingitsprice，istheprimesecretofpracticalstrength。Evenleisurecannotbeenjoyedunlessitiswonbyeffort。Ifithavenotbeenearnedbywork，thepricehasnotbeenpaidforit。(6)
Theremustbeworkbeforeandworkbehind，withleisuretofallbackupon；buttheleisure，withoutthework，cannomorebeenjoyedthanasurfeit。Lifemustneedsbedisgustingaliketotheidlerichmanastotheidlepoorman，whohasnoworktodo，or，havingwork，willnotdoit。Thewordsfoundtattooedontherightarmofasentimentalbeggarofforty，undergoinghiseighthimprisonmentinthegaolofBourgesinFrance，mightbeadoptedasthemottoofallidlers:”LEPASSEM’ATROMPE；LEPRESENTME
TOURMENTE；L’AVENIRM’EPOUVANTE；”——(Thepasthasdeceivedme；thepresenttormentsme；thefutureterrifiesme)
Thedutyofindustryappliestoallclassesandconditionsofsociety。Allhavetheirworktodointheirrespectiveconditionsoflife——therichaswellasthepoor。(7)Thegentlemanbybirthandeducation，howeverrichlyhemaybeendowedwithworldlypossessions，cannotbutfeelthatheisindutyboundtocontributehisquotaofendeavourtowardsthegeneralwellbeinginwhichheshares。Hecannotbesatisfiedwithbeingfed，clad，andmaintainedbythelabourofothers，withoutmakingsomesuitablereturntothesocietythatupholdshim。Anhonesthighmindedmanwouldrevoltattheideaofsittingdowntoandenjoyingafeast，andthengoingawaywithoutpayinghisshareofthereckoning。Tobeidleanduselessisneitheranhonournoraprivilege；andthoughpersonsofsmallnaturesmaybecontentmerelytoconsume——
FRUGESCONSUMERENATI——menofaverageendowment，ofmanlyaspirations，andofhonestpurpose，willfeelsuchaconditiontobeincompatiblewithrealhonourandtruedignity。”Idon’tbelieve，”saidLordStanley(nowEarlofDerby)atGlasgow，”thatanunemployedman，howeveramiableandotherwiserespectable，everwas，orevercanbe，reallyhappy。Asworkisourlife，showmewhatyoucando，andIwillshowyouwhatyouare。Ihavespokenofloveofone’sworkasthebestpreventiveofmerelylowandvicioustastes。Iwillgofurther，andsaythatitisthebestpreservativeagainstpettyanxieties，andtheannoyancesthatariseoutofindulgedself-love。Menhavethoughtbeforenowthattheycouldtakerefugefromtroubleandvexationbyshelteringthemselvesasitwereinaworldoftheirown。Theexperimenthas，oftenbeentried，andalwayswithoneresult。Youcannotescapefromanxietyandlabour——itisthedestinyofhumanity……Thosewhoshirkfromfacingtrouble，findthattroublecomestothem。Theindolentmaycontrivethatheshallhavelessthanhisshareoftheworld’sworktodo，butNatureproportioningtheinstincttothework，contrivesthatthelittleshallbemuchandhardtohim。Themanwhohasonlyhimselftopleasefinds，soonerorlater，andprobablysoonerthanlater，thathehasgotaveryhardmaster；andtheexcessiveweaknesswhichshrinksfromresponsibilityhasitsownpunishmenttoo，forwheregreatinterestsareexcludedlittlemattersbecomegreat，andthesamewearandtearofmindthatmighthavebeenatleastusefullyandhealthfullyexpendedontherealbusinessoflifeisoftenwastedinpettyandimaginaryvexations，suchasbreedandmultiplyintheunoccupiedbrain。”(8)
Evenonthelowestground——thatofpersonalenjoyment——constantusefuloccupationisnecessary。Hewholaboursnot，cannotenjoytherewardoflabour。”Wesleepsound，”saidSirWalterScott，”andourwakinghoursarehappy，whentheyareemployed；
andalittlesenseoftoilisnecessarytotheenjoymentofleisure，evenwhenearnedbystudyandsanctionedbythedischargeofduty。”
Itistrue，therearemenwhodieofoverwork；butmanymoredieofselfishness，indulgence，andidleness。Wheremenbreakdownbyoverwork，itismostcommonlyfromwantofdulyorderingtheirlives，andneglectoftheordinaryconditionsofphysicalhealth。
LordStanleywasprobablyrightwhenhesaid，inhisaddresstotheGlasgowstudentsabovementioned，thathedoubtedwhether”hardwork，steadilyandregularlycarriedon，everyethurtanybody。”
Then，again，lengthofYEARSisnopropertestoflengthofLIFE。
Aman’slifeistobemeasuredbywhathedoesinit，andwhathefeelsinit。Themoreusefulworkthemandoes，andthemorehethinksandfeels，themorehereallylives。Theidleuselessman，nomattertowhatextenthislifemaybeprolonged，merelyvegetates。
TheearlyteachersofChristianityennobledthelotoftoilbytheirexample。”Hethatwillnotwork，”saidSaintPaul，”neithershallheeat；”andheglorifiedhimselfinthathehadlabouredwithhishands，andhadnotbeenchargeabletoanyman。WhenSt。
BonifacelandedinBritain，hecamewithagospelinonehandandacarpenter’sruleintheother；andfromEnglandheafterwardspassedoverintoGermany，carryingthithertheartofbuilding。
Lutheralso，inthemidstofamultitudeofotheremployments，workeddiligentlyforaliving，earninghisbreadbygardening，building，turning，andevenclockmaking。(9)
ItwascharacteristicofNapoleon，whenvisitingaworkofmechanicalexcellence，topaygreatrespecttotheinventor，andontakinghisleave，tosalutehimwithalowbow。OnceatSt。
Helena，whenwalkingwithMrs。Balcombe，someservantscamealongcarryingaload。Thelady，inanangrytone，orderedthemoutoftheway，onwhichNapoleoninterposed，saying，”Respecttheburden，madam。”Eventhedrudgeryofthehumblestlabourercontributestowardsthegeneralwellbeingofsociety；anditwasawisesayingofaChineseEmperor，that”iftherewasamanwhodidnotwork，orawomanthatwasidle，somebodymustsuffercoldorhungerintheempire。”
Thehabitofconstantusefuloccupationisasessentialforthehappinessandwellbeingofwomanasofman。Withoutit，womenareapttosinkintoastateoflistlessENNUIanduselessness，accompaniedbysickheadacheandattacksof”nerves。”CarolinePerthescarefullywarnedhermarrieddaughterLouisatobewareofgivingwaytosuchlistlessness。”Imyself，”shesaid，”whenthechildrenaregoneoutforahalf-holiday，sometimesfeelasstupidanddullasanowlbydaylight；butonemustnotyieldtothis，whichhappensmoreorlesstoallyoungwives。ThebestreliefisWORK，engagedinwithinterestanddiligence。Work，then，constantlyanddiligently，atsomethingorother；foridlenessisthedevil’ssnareforsmallandgreat，asyourgrandfathersays，andhesaystrue。”(10)
Constantusefuloccupationisthuswholesome，notonlyforthebody，butforthemind。Whiletheslothfulmandragshimselfindolentlythroughlife，andthebetterpartofhisnaturesleepsadeepsleep，ifnotmorallyandspirituallydead，theenergeticmanisasourceofactivityandenjoymenttoallwhocomewithinreachofhisinfluence。Evenanyordinarydrudgeryisbetterthanidleness。FullersaysofSirFrancisDrake，whowasearlysenttosea，andkeptclosetohisworkbyhismaster，thatsuch”painsandpatienceinhisyouthknitthejointsofhissoul，andmadethemmoresolidandcompact。”Schillerusedtosaythatheconsidereditagreatadvantagetobeemployedinthedischargeofsomedailymechanicalduty——someregularroutineofwork，thatrenderedsteadyapplicationnecessary。
ThousandscanbeartestimonytothetruthofthesayingofGreuze，theFrenchpainter，thatwork——employment，usefuloccupation——isoneofthegreatsecretsofhappiness。Casaubonwasonceinducedbytheentreatiesofhisfriendstotakeafewdaysentirerest，buthereturnedtohisworkwiththeremark，thatitwaseasiertobearillnessdoingsomething，thandoingnothing。
WhenCharlesLambwasreleasedforlifefromhisdailydrudgeryofdesk-workattheIndiaOffice，hefelthimselfthehappiestofmen。”Iwouldnotgobacktomyprison，”hesaidtoafriend，”tenyearslonger，fortenthousandpounds。”HealsowroteinthesameecstaticmoodtoBernardBarton:”Ihavescarcesteadinessofheadtocomposealetter，”hesaid；”Iamfree！freeasair！I
willliveanotherfiftyyears……WouldIcouldsellyousomeofmyleisure！Positivelythebestthingamancandois——Nothing；
andnexttothat，perhaps，GoodWorks。”Twoyears——twolongandtediousyearspassed；andCharlesLamb’sfeelingshadundergoneanentirechange。Henowdiscoveredthatofficial，evenhumdrumwork——”theappointedround，thedailytask”——hadbeengoodforhim，thoughheknewitnot。Timehadformerlybeenhisfriend；ithadnowbecomehisenemy。ToBernardBartonheagainwrote:”Iassureyou，NOworkisworsethanoverwork；themindpreysonitself——
themostunwholesomeoffood。Ihaveceasedtocareforalmostanything……Neverdidthewatersofheavenpourdownuponaforlornerhead。WhatIcando，andoverdo，istowalk。Iamasanguinarymurdereroftime。Buttheoracleissilent。”
NomancouldbemoresensibleofthepracticalimportanceofindustrythanSirWalterScott，whowashimselfoneofthemostlaboriousandindefatigableofmen。Indeed，Lockhartsaysofhimthat，takingallagesandcountriestogether，therareexampleofindefatigableenergy，inunionwithsereneself-possessionofmindandmanner，suchasScott’s，mustbesoughtforintherollofgreatsovereignsorgreatcaptains，ratherthaninthatofliterarygenius。Scotthimselfwasmostanxioustoimpressuponthemindsofhisownchildrentheimportanceofindustryasameansofusefulnessandhappinessintheworld。TohissonCharles，whenatschool，hewrote:-”IcannottoomuchimpressuponyourmindthatLABOURistheconditionwhichGodhasimposedonusineverystationoflife；thereisnothingworthhavingthatcanbehadwithoutit，fromthebreadwhichthepeasantwinswiththesweatofhisbrow，tothesportsbywhichtherichmanmustgetridofhisENNUI……Asforknowledge，itcannomorebeplantedinthehumanmindwithoutlabourthanafieldofwheatcanbeproducedwithouttheprevioususeoftheplough。Thereis，indeed，thisgreatdifference，thatchanceorcircumstancesmaysocauseitthatanothershallreapwhatthefarmersows；butnomancanbedeprived，whetherbyaccidentormisfortune，ofthefruitsofhisownstudies；andtheliberalandextendedacquisitionsofknowledgewhichhemakesareallforhisownuse。Labour，therefore，mydearboy，andimprovethetime。Inyouthourstepsarelight，andourmindsareductile，andknowledgeiseasilylaidup；butifweneglectourspring，oursummerswillbeuselessandcontemptible，ourharvestwillbechaff，andthewinterofouroldageunrespectedanddesolate。”(11)
SoutheywasaslaboriousaworkerasScott。Indeed，workmightalmostbesaidtoformpartofhisreligion。Hewasonlynineteenwhenhewrotethesewords:-”Nineteenyears！certainlyafourthpartofmylife；perhapshowgreatapart！andyetIhavebeenofnoservicetosociety。Theclownwhoscarescrowsfortwopenceadayisamoreusefulman；hepreservesthebreadwhichIeatinidleness。”AndyetSoutheyhadnotbeenidleasaboy——onthecontrary，hehadbeenamostdiligentstudent。HehadnotonlyreadlargelyinEnglishliterature，butwaswellacquainted，throughtranslations，withTasso，Ariosto，Homer，andOvid。Hefelt，however，asifhislifehadbeenpurposeless，andhedeterminedtodosomething。Hebegan，andfromthattimeforwardhepursuedanunremittingcareerofliterarylabourdowntothecloseofhislife——”dailyprogressinginlearning，”tousehisownwords——”notsolearnedasheispoor，notsopoorasproud，notsoproudashappy。”
Themaximsofmenoftenrevealtheircharacter。(12)ThatofSirWalterScottwas，”Nevertobedoingnothing。”Robertsonthehistorian，asearlyashisfifteenthyear，adoptedthemaximof”VITASINELITERISMORSEST”(Lifewithoutlearningisdeath)。
Voltaire’smottowas，”TOUJOURSAUTRAVAIL”(Alwaysatwork)。ThefavouritemaximofLacepede，thenaturalist，was，”VIVREC’EST
VEILLER”(Toliveistoobserve):itwasalsothemaximofPliny。
WhenBossuetwasatcollege，hewassodistinguishedbyhisardourinstudy，thathisfellowstudents，playinguponhisname，designatedhimas”BOS-SUETUSARATRO”(Theoxusedtotheplough)。
ThenameofVITA-LIS(Lifeastruggle)，whichtheSwedishpoetSjobergassumed，asFrederikvonHardenbergassumedthatofNOVA-
LIS，describedtheaspirationsandthelaboursofboththesemenofgenius。
Wehavespokenofworkasadiscipline:itisalsoaneducatorofcharacter。Evenworkthatproducesnoresults，becauseitIS
work，isbetterthantorpor，——inasmuchasiteducatesfaculty，andisthuspreparatorytosuccessfulwork。Thehabitofworkingteachesmethod。Itcompelseconomyoftime，andthedispositionofitwithjudiciousforethought。Andwhentheartofpackinglifewithusefuloccupationsisonceacquiredbypractice，everyminutewillbeturnedtoaccount；andleisure，whenitcomes，willbeenjoyedwithallthegreaterzest。
Coleridgehastrulyobserved，that”iftheidlearedescribedaskillingtime，themethodicalmanmaybejustlysaidtocallitintolifeandmoralbeing，whilehemakesitthedistinctobjectnotonlyoftheconsciousness，butoftheconscience。Heorganizesthehoursandgivesthemasoul；andbythat，theveryessenceofwhichistofleetandtohavebeen，hecommunicatesanimperishableandspiritualnature。Ofthegoodandfaithfulservant，whoseenergiesthusdirectedarethusmethodized，itislesstrulyaffirmedthathelivesintimethanthattimelivesinhim。Hisdaysandmonthsandyears，asthestopsandpunctualmarksintherecordofdutiesperformed，willsurvivethewreckofworlds，andremainextantwhentimeitselfshallbenomore。”(13)
Itisbecauseapplicationtobusinessteachesmethodmosteffectually，thatitissousefulasaneducatorofcharacter。
Thehighestworkingqualitiesarebesttrainedbyactiveandsympatheticcontactwithothersintheaffairsofdailylife。Itdoesnotmatterwhetherthebusinessrelatetothemanagementofahouseholdorofanation。Indeed，aswehaveendeavouredtoshowinaprecedingchapter，theablehousewifemustnecessarilybeanefficientwomanofbusiness。Shemustregulateandcontrolthedetailsofherhome，keepherexpenditurewithinhermeans，arrangeeverythingaccordingtoplanandsystem，andwiselymanageandgovernthosesubjecttoherrule。Efficientdomesticmanagementimpliesindustry，application，method，moraldiscipline，forethought，prudence，practicalability，insightintocharacter，andpoweroforganization——allofwhicharerequiredintheefficientmanagementofbusinessofwhateversort。
Businessqualitieshave，indeed，averylargefieldofaction。
Theymeanaptitudeforaffairs，competencytodealsuccessfullywiththepracticalworkoflife——whetherthespurofactionlieindomesticmanagement，intheconductofaprofession，intradeorcommerce，insocialorganization，orinpoliticalgovernment。
Andthetrainingwhichgivesefficiencyindealingwiththesevariousaffairsisofallothersthemostusefulinpracticallife。(14)Moreover，itisthebestdisciplineofcharacter；foritinvolvestheexerciseofdiligence，attention，self-denial，judgment，tact，knowledgeofandsympathywithothers。
Suchadisciplineisfarmoreproductiveofhappiness5aswellasusefulefficiencyinlife，thananyamountofliterarycultureormeditativeseclusion；forinthelongrunitwillusuallybefoundthatpracticalabilitycarriesitoverintellect，andtemperandhabitsovertalent。Itmust，however，headdedthatthisisakindofculturethatcanonlybeacquiredbydiligentobservationandcarefullyimprovedexperience。”Tobeagoodblacksmith，”
saidGeneralTrochuinarecentpublication，”onemusthaveforgedallhislife:tobeagoodadministratoroneshouldhavepassedhiswholelifeinthestudyandpracticeofbusiness。”
ItwascharacteristicofSirWalterScotttoentertainthehighestrespectforablemenofbusiness；andheprofessedthathedidnotconsideranyamountofliterarydistinctionasentitledtobespokenofinthesamebreathwithamasteryinthehigherdepartmentsofpracticallife——leastofallwithafirst-ratecaptain。
Thegreatcommanderleavesnothingtochance，butprovidesforeverycontingency。Hecondescendstoapparentlytrivialdetails。
Thus，whenWellingtonwasattheheadofhisarmyinSpain，hedirectedtheprecisemannerinwhichthesoldiersweretocooktheirprovisions。WheninIndia，hespecifiedtheexactspeedatwhichthebullocksweretobedriven；everydetailinequipmentwascarefullyarrangedbeforehand。Andthusnotonlywasefficiencysecured，butthedevotionofhismen，andtheirboundlessconfidenceinhiscommand。(15)
Likeothergreatcaptains，Wellingtonhadanalmostboundlesscapacityforwork。HedrewuptheheadsofaDublinPoliceBill(beingstilltheSecretaryforIreland)，whentossingoffthemouthoftheMondego，withJunotandtheFrencharmywaitingforhimontheshore。SoCaesar，anotherofthegreatestcommanders，issaidtohavewrittenanessayonLatinRhetoricwhilecrossingtheAlpsattheheadofhisarmy。AndWallensteinwhenattheheadof60，000men，andinthemidstofacampaignwiththeenemybeforehim，dictatedfromheadquartersthemedicaltreatmentofhispoultry-yard。
Washington，also，wasanindefatigablemanofbusiness。Fromhisboyhoodhediligentlytrainedhimselfinhabitsofapplication，ofstudy，andofmethodicalwork。Hismanuscriptschool-books，whicharestillpreserved，showthat，asearlyastheageofthirteen，heoccupiedhimselfvoluntarilyincopyingoutsuchthingsasformsofreceipts，notesofhand，billsofexchange，bonds，indentures，leases，land-warrants，andotherdrydocuments，allwrittenoutwithgreatcare。Andthehabitswhichhethusearlyacquiredwere，inagreatmeasure，thefoundationofthoseadmirablebusinessqualitieswhichheafterwardssosuccessfullybroughttobearintheaffairsofgovernment。
Themanorwomanwhoachievessuccessinthemanagementofanygreataffairofbusinessisentitledtohonour，——itmaybe，toasmuchastheartistwhopaintsapicture，ortheauthorwhowritesabook，orthesoldierwhowinsabattle。Theirsuccessmayhavebeengainedinthefaceofasgreatdifficulties，andafterasgreatstruggles；andwheretheyhavewontheirbattle，itisatleastapeacefulone，andthereisnobloodontheirhands。
Theideahasbeenentertainedbysome，thatbusinesshabitsareincompatiblewithgenius。IntheLifeofRichardLovellEdgeworth，(16)itisobservedofaMr。Bicknell——arespectablebutordinaryman，ofwhomlittleisknownbutthathemarriedSabrinaSidney，theELEVEofThomasDay，authorof’SandfordandMerton’——that”hehadsomeofthetoousualfaultsofamanofgenius:hedetestedthedrudgeryofbusiness。”Buttherecannotbeagreatermistake。Thegreatestgeniuseshave，withoutexception，beenthegreatestworkers，eventotheextentofdrudgery。Theyhavenotonlyworkedharderthanordinarymen，butbroughttotheirworkhigherfacultiesandamoreardentspirit。
Nothinggreatanddurablewaseverimprovised。Itisonlybynoblepatienceandnoblelabourthatthemasterpiecesofgeniushavebeenachieved。
Powerbelongsonlytotheworkers；theidlersarealwayspowerless。Itisthelaboriousandpainstakingmenwhoaretherulersoftheworld。Therehasnotbeenastatesmanofeminencebutwasamanofindustry。”Itisbytoil，”saidevenLouisXIV。，”thatkingsgovern。”WhenClarendondescribedHampden，hespokeofhimas”ofanindustryandvigilancenottobetiredoutorweariedbythemostlaborious，andofpartsnottobeimposedonbythemostsubtleandsharp，andofapersonalcourageequaltohisbestparts。”Whileinthemidstofhislaboriousthoughself-
imposedduties，Hampden，ononeoccasion，wrotetohismother:”Mylyfeisnothingbuttoyle，andhathbeenformanyyeares，nowetotheCommonwealth，nowetotheKinge……Notsomuchtymeleftastodoemydutyetomydeareparents，nortosendetothem。”
Indeed，allthestatesmenoftheCommonwealthweregreattoilers；
andClarendonhimself，whetherinofficeoroutofit，wasamanofindefatigableapplicationandindustry。
Thesameenergeticvitality，asdisplayedinthepowerofworking，hasdistinguishedalltheeminentmeninourownaswellasinpasttimes。DuringtheAnti-CornLawmovement，Cobden，writingtoafriend，describedhimselfas”workinglikeahorse，withnotamomenttospare。”LordBroughamwasaremarkableinstanceoftheindefatigablyactiveandlaboriousman；anditmightbesaidofLordPalmerston，thatheworkedharderforsuccessinhisextremeoldagethanhehadeverdoneintheprimeofhismanhood——
preservinghisworkingfaculty，hisgood-humourandBONHOMMIE，unimpairedtotheend。(17)Hehimselfwasaccustomedtosay，thatbeinginoffice，andconsequentlyfullofwork，wasgoodforhishealth。ItrescuedhimfromENNUI。Helvetiusevenheld，thatitisman’ssenseofENNUIthatisthechiefcauseofhissuperiorityoverthebrute，——thatitisthenecessitywhichhefeelsforescapingfromitsintolerablesufferingthatforceshimtoemployhimselfactively，andishencethegreatstimulustohumanprogress。
Indeed，thislivingprincipleofconstantwork，ofabundantoccupation，ofpracticalcontactwithmenintheaffairsoflife，hasinalltimesbeenthebestripeneroftheenergeticvitalityofstrongnatures。Businesshabits，cultivatedanddisciplined，arefoundalikeusefulineverypursuit——whetherinpolitics，literature，science，orart。Thus，agreatdealofthebestliteraryworkhasbeendonebymensystematicallytrainedinbusinesspursuits。Thesameindustry，application，economyoftimeandlabour，whichhaverenderedthemusefulintheonesphereofemployment，havebeenfoundequallyavailableintheother。
MostoftheearlyEnglishwritersweremenofaffairs，trainedtobusiness；fornoliteraryclassasyetexisted，exceptingitmightbethepriesthood。Chaucer，thefatherofEnglishpoetry，wasfirstasoldier，andafterwardsacomptrollerofpettycustoms。
Theofficewasnosinecureeither，forhehadtowriteupalltherecordswithhisownhand；andwhenhehaddonehis”reckonings”
atthecustom-house，hereturnedwithdelighttohisfavouritestudiesathome——poringoverhisbooksuntilhiseyeswere”dazed”anddull。
ThegreatwritersinthereignofElizabeth，duringwhichtherewassuchadevelopmentofrobustlifeinEngland，werenotliterarymenaccordingtothemodernacceptationoftheword，butmenofactiontrainedinbusiness。SpenseractedassecretarytotheLordDeputyofIreland；Raleighwas，byturns，acourtier，soldier，sailor，anddiscoverer；Sydneywasapolitician，diplomatist，andsoldier；BaconwasalaboriouslawyerbeforehebecameLordKeeperandLordChancellor；SirThomasBrownewasaphysicianincountrypracticeatNorwich；Hookerwasthehardworkingpastorofacountryparish；Shakspearewasthemanagerofatheatre，inwhichhewashimselfbutanindifferentactor，andheseemstohavebeenevenmorecarefulofhismoneyinvestmentsthanhewasofhisintellectualoffspring。Yetthese，allmenofactivebusinesshabits，areamongthegreatestwritersofanyage:theperiodofElizabethandJamesI。standingoutinthehistoryofEnglandastheeraofitsgreatestliteraryactivityandsplendour。
InthereignofCharlesI。，Cowleyheldvariousofficesoftrustandconfidence。Heactedasprivatesecretarytoseveraloftheroyalistleaders，andwasafterwardsengagedasprivatesecretarytotheQueen，incipheringanddecipheringthecorrespondencewhichpassedbetweenherandCharlesI。；theworkoccupyingallhisdays，andoftenhisnights，duringseveralyears。AndwhileCowleywasthusemployedintheroyalcause，MiltonwasemployedbytheCommonwealth，ofwhichhewastheLatinsecretary，andafterwardssecretarytotheLordProtector。Yet，intheearlierpartofhislife，Miltonwasoccupiedinthehumblevocationofateacher。Dr。Johnsonsays，”thatinhisschool，asineverythingelsewhichheundertook，helabouredwithgreatdiligence，thereisnoreasonfordoubting”ItwasaftertheRestoration，whenhisofficialemploymentceased，thatMiltonenteredupontheprincipalliteraryworkofhislife；butbeforeheundertookthewritingofhisgreatepic，hedeemeditindispensablethatto”industriousandselectreading”heshouldadd”steadyobservation”and”insightintoallseemlyandgenerousartsandaffairs。”(18)
Lockeheldofficeindifferentreigns:firstunderCharlesII。asSecretarytotheBoardofTradeandafterwardsunderWilliamIII。
asCommissionerofAppealsandofTradeandPlantations。ManyliterarymenofeminenceheldofficeinQueenAnne’sreign。ThusAddisonwasSecretaryofState；Steele，CommissionerofStamps；
Prior，Under-SecretaryofState，andafterwardsAmbassadortoFrance；Tickell，Under-SecretaryofState，andSecretarytotheLordsJusticesofIreland；Congreve，SecretaryofJamaica；，andGay，SecretaryofLegationatHanover。
Indeed，habitsofbusiness，insteadofunfittingacultivatedmindforscientificorliterarypursuits，areoftenthebesttrainingforthem。Voltaireinsistedwithtruththattherealspiritofbusinessandliteraturearethesame；theperfectionofeachbeingtheunionofenergyandthoughtfulness，ofcultivatedintelligenceandpracticalwisdom，oftheactiveandcontemplativeessence——aunioncommendedbyLordBaconastheconcentratedexcellenceofman’snature。Ithasbeensaidthateventhemanofgeniuscanwritenothingworthreadinginrelationtohumanaffairs，unlesshehasbeeninsomewayorotherconnectedwiththeseriouseverydaybusinessoflife。
Henceithashappenedthatmanyofthebestbooks，extanthavebeenwrittenbymenofbusiness，withwhomliteraturewasapastimeratherthanaprofession。Gifford，theeditorofthe’Quarterly，’whoknewthedrudgeryofwritingforaliving，onceobservedthat”asinglehourofcomposition，wonfromthebusinessoftheday，isworthmorethanthewholeday’stoilofhimwhoworksatthetradeofliterature:intheonecase，thespiritcomesjoyfullytorefreshitself，likeaharttothewaterbrooks；
intheother，itpursuesitsmiserableway，pantingandjaded，withthedogsandhungerofnecessitybehind。”(19)
ThefirstgreatmenoflettersinItalywerenotmeremenofletters；theyweremenofbusiness——merchants，statesmen，diplomatists，judges，andsoldiers。Villani，theauthorofthebestHistoryofFlorence，wasamerchant；Dante，Petrarch，andBoccacio，wereallengagedinmoreorlessimportantembassies；
andDante，beforebecomingadiplomatist，wasforsometimeoccupiedasachemistanddruggist。Galileo，Galvani，andFariniwerephysicians，andGoldonialawyer。Ariosto’stalentforaffairswasasgreatashisgeniusforpoetry。Atthedeathofhisfather，hewascalledupontomanagethefamilyestateforthebenefitofhisyoungerbrothersandsisters，whichhedidwithabilityandintegrity。Hisgeniusforbusinesshavingbeenrecognised，hewasemployedbytheDukeofFerraraonimportantmissionstoRomeandelsewhere。Havingafterwardsbeenappointedgovernorofaturbulentmountaindistrict，hesucceeded，byfirmandjustgovernmentsinreducingittoaconditionofcomparativegoodorderandsecurity。Eventhebanditsofthecountryrespectedhim。Beingarrestedonedayinthemountainsbyabodyofoutlaws，hementionedhisname，whentheyatonceofferedtoescorthiminsafetywhereverhechose。
Ithasbeenthesameinothercountries。Vattel，theauthorofthe’RightsofNations，’wasapracticaldiplomatist，andafirst-
ratemanofbusiness。Rabelaiswasaphysician，andasuccessfulpractitioner；Schillerwasasurgeon；Cervantes，LopedeVega，Calderon，Camoens，Descartes，Maupertius，LaRochefoucauld，Lacepede，Lamark，weresoldiersintheearlypartoftheirrespectivelives。
Inourowncountry，manymennowknownbytheirwritings，earnedtheirlivingbytheirtrade。LillospentthegreaterpartofhislifeasaworkingjewellerinthePoultry；occupyingtheintervalsofhisleisureintheproductionofdramaticworks，someofthemofacknowledgedpowerandmerit。IzaakWaltonwasalinendraperinFleetStreet，readingmuchinhisleisurehours，andstoringhismindwithfactsforfutureuseinhiscapacityofbiographer。
DeFoewasbyturnshorse-factor，brickandtilemaker，shopkeeper，author，andpoliticalagent。
SamuelRichardsonsuccessfullycombinedliterature，withbusiness；
writinghisnovelsinhisback-shopinSalisburyCourt，FleetStreet，andsellingthemoverthecounterinhisfront-shop。
WilliamHutton，ofBirmingham，alsosuccessfullycombinedtheoccupationsofbooksellingandauthorship。Hesays，inhisAutobiography，thatamanmaylivehalfacenturyandnotbeacquaintedwithhisowncharacter。Hedidnotknowthathewasanantiquaryuntiltheworldinformedhimofit，fromhavingreadhis’HistoryofBirmingham，’andthen，hesaid，hecouldseeithimself。BenjaminFranklinwasalikeeminentasaprinterandbookseller——anauthor，aphilosopherandastatesman。
Comingdowntoourowntime，wefindEbenezerElliottsuccessfullycarryingonthebusinessofabar-ironmerchantinSheffield，duringwhichtimehewroteandpublishedthegreaternumberofhispoems；andhissuccessinbusinesswassuchastoenablehimtoretireintothecountryandbuildahouseofhisown，inwhichhespenttheremainderofhisdays。IsaacTaylor，theauthorofthe’NaturalHistoryofEnthusiasm，’wasanengraverofpatternsforManchestercalico-printers；andothermembersofthisgiftedfamilywerefollowersofthesamebranchofart。
TheprincipalearlyworksofJohnStuartMillwerewrittenintheintervalsofofficialwork，whileheheldtheofficeofprincipalexaminerintheEastIndiaHouse，——inwhichCharlesLamb，Peacocktheauthorof’HeadlongHall，’andEdwinNorristhephilologist，werealsoclerks。Macaulaywrotehis’LaysofAncientRome’intheWarOffice，whileholdingthepostofSecretaryofWar。ItiswellknownthatthethoughtfulwritingsofMr。Helpsareliterally”EssayswrittenintheIntervalsofBusiness。”Manyofourbestlivingauthorsaremenholdingimportantpublicoffices——suchasSirHenryTaylor，SirJohnKaye，AnthonyTrollope，TomTaylor，MatthewArnold，andSamuelWarren。
Mr。Proctorthepoet，betterknownas”BarryCornwall，”wasabarristerandcommissionerinlunacy。MostprobablyheassumedthepseudonymforthesamereasonthatDr。Parispublishedhis’PhilosophyinSportmadeScienceinEarnest’anonymously——
becauseheapprehendedthat，ifknown，itmightcompromisehisprofessionalposition。Foritisbynomeansanuncommonprejudice，stillprevalentamongstCitymen，thatapersonwhohaswrittenabook，andstillmoreonewhohaswrittenapoem，isgoodfornothinginthewayofbusiness。YetSharonTurner，thoughanexcellenthistorian，wasnoworseasolicitoronthataccount；
whilethebrothersHoraceandJamesSmith，authorsof’TheRejectedAddresses，’weremenofsucheminenceintheirprofession，thattheywereselectedtofilltheimportantandlucrativepostofsolicitorstotheAdmiralty，andtheyfilleditadmirably。
ItwaswhilethelateMr。Broderip，thebarrister，wasactingasaLondonpolicemagistrate，thathewasattractedtothestudyofnaturalhistory，inwhichheoccupiedthegreaterpartofhisleisure。Hewrotetheprincipalarticlesonthesubjectforthe’PennyCyclopaedia，’besidesseveralseparateworksofgreatmerit，moreparticularlythe’ZoologicalRecreations，’and’LeavesfromtheNotebookofaNaturalist。’Itisrecordedofhimthat，thoughhedevotedsomuchofhistimetotheproductionofhisworks，aswellastotheZoologicalSocietyandtheiradmirableestablishmentinRegent’sPark，ofwhichhewasoneofthefounders，hisstudiesneverinterferedwiththerealbusinessofhislife，norisitknownthatasinglequestionwaseverraiseduponhisconductorhisdecisions。AndwhileMr。Broderipdevotedhimselftonaturalhistory，thelateLordChiefBaronPollockdevotedhisleisuretonaturalscience，recreatinghimselfinthepracticeofphotographyandthestudyofmathematics，inbothofwhichhewasthoroughlyproficient。
AmongliterarybankerswefindthenamesofRogers，thepoet；
Roscoe，ofLiverpool，thebiographerofLorenzodeMedici；
Ricardo，theauthorof’PoliticalEconomyandTaxation；(20)
Grote，theauthorofthe’HistoryofGreece；’SirJohnLubbock，thescientificantiquarian；(21)andSamuelBailey，ofSheffield，theauthorof’EssaysontheFormationandPublicationofOpinions，’besidesvariousimportantworksonethics，politicaleconomy，andphilosophy。
Nor，ontheotherhand，havethoroughly-trainedmenofscienceandlearningprovedthemselvesinefficientasfirst-ratemenofbusiness。Cultureofthebestsorttrainsthehabitofapplicationandindustry，disciplinesthemind，suppliesitwithresources，andgivesitfreedomandvigourofaction——allofwhichareequallyrequisiteinthesuccessfulconductofbusiness。
Thus，inyoungmen，educationandscholarshipusuallyindicatesteadinessofcharacter，fortheyimplycontinuousattention，diligence，andtheabilityandenergynecessarytomasterknowledge；andsuchpersonswillalsousuallybefoundpossessedofmorethanaveragepromptitude，address，resource，anddexterity。
Montaignehassaidoftruephilosophers，that”iftheyweregreatinscience，theywereyetmuchgreaterinaction；……andwhenevertheyhavebeenputupontheproof，theyhavebeenseentoflytosohighapitch，asmadeitverywellappeartheirsoulswerestrangelyelevatedandenrichedwiththeknowledgeofthings。”(22)
Atthesametime，itmustbeacknowledgedthattooexclusiveadevotiontoimaginativeandphilosophicalliterature，especiallyifprolongedinlifeuntilthehabitsbecomeformed，doestoagreatextentincapacitateamanforthebusinessofpracticallife。Speculativeabilityisonething，andpracticalabilityanother；andthemanwho，inhisstudy，orwithhispeninhand，showshimselfcapableofforminglargeviewsoflifeandpolicy，may，intheouterworld，befoundaltogetherunfittedforcarryingthemintopracticaleffect。
Speculativeabilitydependsonvigorousthinking——practicalabilityonvigorousacting；andthetwoqualitiesareusuallyfoundcombinedinveryunequalproportions。Thespeculativemanispronetoindecision:heseesallthesidesofaquestion，andhisactionbecomessuspendedinnicelyweighingtheprosandcons，whichareoftenfoundprettynearlytobalanceeachother；whereasthepracticalmanoverleapslogicalpreliminaries，arrivesatcertaindefiniteconvictions，andproceedsforthwithtocarryhispolicyintoaction。(23)
Yettherehavebeenmanygreatmenofsciencewhohaveprovedefficientmenofbusiness。WedonotlearnthatSirIsaacNewtonmadeaworseMasteroftheMintbecausehewasthegreatestofphilosophers。NorwerethereanycomplaintsastotheefficiencyofSirJohnHerschel，whoheldthesameoffice。ThebrothersHumboldtwerealikecapablemeninallthattheyundertook——
whetheritwasliterature，philosophy，mining，philology，diplomacy，orstatesmanship。
Niebuhr，thehistorian，wasdistinguishedforhisenergyandsuccessasamanofbusiness。HeprovedsoefficientassecretaryandaccountanttotheAfricanconsulate，towhichhehadbeenappointedbytheDanishGovernment，thathewasafterwardsselectedasoneofthecommissionerstomanagethenationalfinances；andhequittedthatofficetoundertakethejointdirectorshipofabankatBerlin。ItwasinthemidstofhisbusinessoccupationsthathefoundtimetostudyRomanhistory，tomastertheArabic，Russian，andotherSclavoniclanguages，andtobuildupthegreatreputationasanauthorbywhichheisnowchieflyremembered。
HavingregardtotheviewsprofessedbytheFirstNapoleonastomenofscience，itwastohavebeenexpectedthathewouldendeavourtostrengthenhisadministrationbycallingthemtohisaid。Someofhisappointmentsprovedfailures，whileotherswerecompletelysuccessful。ThusLaplacewasmadeMinisteroftheInterior；buthehadnosoonerbeenappointedthanitwasseenthatamistakehadbeenmade。Napoleonafterwardssaidofhim，that”Laplacelookedatnoquestioninitstruepointofview。Hewasalwayssearchingaftersubtleties；allhisideaswereproblems，andhecarriedthespiritoftheinfinitesimalcalculusintothemanagementofbusiness。”ButLaplace’shabitshadbeenformedinthestudy，andhewastoooldtoadaptthemtothepurposesofpracticallife。
WithDarnitwasdifferent。ButDarnhadtheadvantageofsomepracticaltraininginbusiness，havingservedasanintendantofthearmyinSwitzerlandunderMassena，duringwhichhealsodistinguishedhimselfasanauthor。WhenNapoleonproposedtoappointhimacouncillorofstateandintendantoftheImperialHousehold，Darnhesitatedtoaccepttheoffice。”Ihavepassedthegreaterpartofmylife，”hesaid，”amongbooks，andhavenothadtimetolearnthefunctionsofacourtier。””Ofcourtiers，”
repliedNapoleon，”Ihaveplentyaboutme；theywillneverfail。
ButIwantaminister，atonceenlightened，firm，andvigilant；
anditisforthesequalitiesthatIhaveselectedyou。”DarncompliedwiththeEmperor’swishes，andeventuallybecamehisPrimeMinister，provingthoroughlyefficientinthatcapacity，andremainingthesamemodest，honourable，anddisinterestedmanthathehadeverbeenthroughlife。
Menoftrainedworkingfacultysocontractthehabitoflabourthatidlenessbecomesintolerabletothem；andwhendrivenbycircumstancesfromtheirownspeciallineofoccupation，theyfindrefugeinotherpursuits。Thediligentmanisquicktofindemploymentforhisleisure；andheisabletomakeleisurewhentheidlemanfindsnone。”Hehathnoleisure，”saysGeorgeHerbert，”whousethitnot。””Themostactiveorbusymanthathathbeenorcanbe，”saysBacon，”hath，noquestion，manyvacanttimesofleisure，whileheexpecteththetidesandreturnsofbusiness，excepthebeeithertediousandofnodespatch，orlightlyandunworthilyambitioustomeddlewiththingsthatmaybebetterdonebyothers。”Thusmanygreatthingshavebeendoneduringsuch”vacanttimesofleisure，”bymentowhomindustryhadbecomeasecondnature，andwhofounditeasiertoworkthantobeidle。
Evenhobbiesareusefulaseducatorsoftheworkingfaculty。
Hobbiesevokeindustryofacertainkind，andatleastprovideagreeableoccupation。NotsuchhobbiesasthatofDomitian，whooccupiedhimselfincatchingflies。ThehobbiesoftheKingofMacedonwhomadelanthorns，andoftheKingofFrancewhomadelocks，wereofamorerespectableorder。Evenaroutinemechanicalemploymentisfelttobeareliefbymindsactingunderhigh-pressure:itisanintermissionoflabour——arest——arelaxation，thepleasureconsistingintheworkitselfratherthanintheresult。
Butthebestofhobbiesareintellectualones。Thusmenofactivemindretirefromtheirdailybusinesstofindrecreationinotherpursuits——someinscience，someinart，andthegreaternumberinliterature。Suchrecreationsareamongthebestpreservativesagainstselfishnessandvulgarworldliness。WebelieveitwasLordBroughamwhosaid，”Blessedisthemanthathathahobby！”
andintheabundantversatilityofhisnature，hehimselfhadmany，rangingfromliteraturetooptics，fromhistoryandbiographytosocialscience。LordBroughamisevensaidtohavewrittenanovel；andtheremarkablestoryofthe’ManintheBell，’whichappearedmanyyearsagoin’Blackwood，’isreputedtohavebeenfromhispen。Intellectualhobbies，however，mustnotberiddentoohard——else，insteadofrecreating，refreshing，andinvigoratingaman’snature，theymayonlyhavetheeffectofsendinghimbacktohisbusinessexhausted，enervated，anddepressed。
