sooner build up than they pull down, sighing and fretting away a life that otherwise would have been rendered useful. Let us consider well before we begin anything, then carry it through. He who desists, not only loses all his labour, but he renders himself the object of ridicule.

By system and by DETERMINING WELL before undertaking any given line of pursuit, we see men, however adverse circumstances may have been, excel in every branch of science, which confirms the fact that ATTAINMENTS are to be acquired by zeal and perseverance; that EXCELLENCE is, in any position, almost the infallible result of the determination to excel; and that upon a man himself chiefly, and not upon his outward fortunes, does it depend whether he distinguishes himself, or goes to his grave without future glory, or having known what it is to enjoy the highest capacities of his nature.

"If," says the ancient Brahmin, “thy soul thirsteth for honour, raise thyself and exalt thy aim to something praiseworthy. Let the examples of eminent men be in thy visions by night, and by day let thy delight be to follow them. The oak that now spreadeth its branches towards the heavens was once but an acorn. Endeavour to be first in thy calling, whatever it may be, neither let any one go before thee in well-doing; nevertheless, do not envy the merits of another, but improve thine own talents. Scorn, also, to depress thy competitor by dishonest or unworthy methods. Strive to raise thyself above him only by excelling him; so shall thy contest be crowned with honour, if not with success. By a virtuous emulation the spirit of man is exalted within him. He riseth like a palm-tree, in spite of difficulties, and, as an eagle in the firmament of heaven, he soareth aloft, and fixeth his eyes upon the glories of God. From the experience of others, do thou learn wisdom; and from their failings, correct thine own faults."

THAT WHICH LEADS TO DISTINCTION IN EVERY CAREER OF LIFE, IS THE PRINCIPLE OF HONOURABLE EMULATION.

PATIENCE IS GREATNESS.

27

21

CHAPTER II.

PATIENCE IS GREATNESS.-THE INVITATION.

ID you meet a smart young man on the stairs?" inquired my landlady, with her wonted smile.

"No, madam," I replied.

"Such a smart lad, and a bright one, too, I can tell you."

"Yes; I wished him to stop, but he said his time was very precious and that he could not spare a moment; but on his return from the City, at half-past four, he would call."

"Economy of time and precision, Mrs. Ashby, are two estimable qualities."

At four o'clock I was startled by a loud rat, tat, tat, and a young man of prepossessing appearance was ushered into my apartment, a book in one hand, his hat in the other.

"Be seated, sir," I said, handing him a chair.

"Thank you, sir; thank you. I merely called to ascertain your terms for private lessons, as I would prefer them to the classes; besides, I live out of town, and could not well attend in the evenings; but I am afraid of the expense. To tell you the truth, sir," he added with a smile, "my purse is rather a light one."

'My dear boy, when I was your age mine was light too. When I came to London, an entire stranger, only a few shillings graced my pocket."

22

22

PATIENCE IS GREATNESS.

"Indeed! sir," said the young man, opening wide his light blue, intelligent eyes, from which sudden joy beamed; then he added, "I INTEND, and MUST DO SOMETHING,

TOO!"

“Good, my boy; a bold determination carves circumstances to its own liking; a bold heart, my lad, guided by reason, has, as biography will tell you, done much, and what has been done can be done again."

"Such, sir, is the sentiment of my dear mother!"

"An affectionate son! This is an omen of greatness; and, your father?"

"Dead, sir,” replied the young man, mournfully; then, his face brightening up, he added, "but I have a mother that makes up for both!"

"Sad! yet a mother's care is often quickened and strengthened by her bereavement; and, with a judicious mother's care, many a son has been guided to honour and worth. You have a desire to learn French ?"

"Yes, sir. I have been studying it at home; but if I could speak French, I am sure it would be of service to me.”

"Not a doubt of it. Nothing useful is learnt, but some time or other you will be able to make it serviceable."

66

'My mother's saying is, 'Keep a thing twenty years and you are sure to find a use for it.'"

"So it is with useful learning; but I trust you will require your French long before the twenty years expire."

"But the terms, sir?"

"Promise me to be regular in your studies, say only one hour a day, but let that hour be strictly observed; no excuses, no procrastination. System renders all studies easy. You will soon speak French; then we will see about terms. Have you learnt the verbs ?"

"No, sir. I have been so puzzled with the genders of nouns that I have not been able to proceed."

"The genders! How many heads have been puzzled with them, and all to no purpose? With me genders and vexatious

rules are dispensed with for a time. When you are advanced, and can speak a little, we will return to them. How many study French for years, yet are scarcely able to speak or understand a single sentence; because the teacher had only exercised the memory upon rules without paying due attention to the ear, for it is the ear that guides the tongue, and without the ear be cultivated, speech is impracticable. Here is a present for you, • The Student's French Grammar.' As the author, I only claim the merit of 'simplicity,' which the public and the Press have accorded me."

"Thank you, sir," said my young friend, glancing his eye over the title-"I have heard of your grammar."

“To speak a language, my boy, we must adopt Nature's mode. Nature is very jealous, and she will have her laws observed. A mother instinctively knows how to teach her child, and a judicious master or pupil must take an example from her. Words often repeated aloud; then sentences, which are lengthened as the child advances."

66 "Indeed, sir ?"

"Yes. Children commit to memory verses, and long lists without designing to do so, merely by hearing others repeat them. The ear guides and materially assists the memory; so while you study, repeat aloud, that you may reach the mind through the ear; then use the pen, by which process the eyes are employed; then you give the mind an opportunity of dwelling upon every letter, and syllable, and sound."

The poet says, "An honest man's the noblest work of God." How much nobility, then, is there in Virtue struggling in honest poverty-struggling with becoming pride to rear respectably the widow's heavy burden-her fatherless offspring. That heroic virtue was exemplified in the mother of my young

24

THE OFFICER'S WIDOW.

friend—that nobility of nature was displayed in the officer's widow in her maternal care and solicitude for her young offspring. When I think of her-when I think of that little cottage-so sparingly, yet so neatly furnished—so clean, so tidy ; when I think of that little garden, in which each of the children had a small plot to cultivate-the violets, the daisies, and the green-traced names in cress and mignionette-when my mind conjures up the sweet smile that beamed in her bright blue eye, and the cheerful voice that rang merrily through the whole house-the voice of encouragement, the voice of gentle reproach -the lips rendered thin from inward suffering-lips that uttered no complaint, but breathed forth the overflowings of a grateful heart-the voice that spoke of bright days to come, of hope in her boy Rudolphe, who would be the staff of her old age, the prop of her little family-the picture of woman so beautifully depicted by the Brahmin poet bursts upon my memory :—

"Who is she that winneth the heart of man, that subdueth him to love, and reigneth in his breast? Lo! yonder she walketh in maiden sweetness, with innocence in her mind and modesty on her cheek. Her hand seeketh employment, her foot delighteth not in gadding abroad. She is clothed with neatness --she is fed with temperance; humility and meekness are as a crown of glory circling her head. On her tongue dwelleth music, the sweetness of honey flows from her lips. Decency is in all her words; in her answers are mildness and truth. Submission and obedience are the lessons of her life, and peace and happiness are her reward.

"Before her steps walketh Prudence, and Virtue attendeth at her right hand. Her eye speaketh softness and love; but discretion, with a sceptre, sitteth on her brow. The tongue of the licentious is dumb in her presence; the awe of her virtue keepeth him silent. When scandal is busy, and the fame of her neighbour is tossed from tongue to tongue-if charity and good nature open not her mouth, the finger of silence resteth on her lips. Her breast is the mansion of goodness, and, therefore, she suspecteth no evil in others.