A working hand is worth a gowpen o' gold.

ERSEVERANCE means the steady pursuit
of a plan, whether good or bad; but it would

be very unwise to persevere in a plan which
conscience or practice had proved to be bad.
In actual life, where there are so many different

pursuits, and different ways of doing the same thing, it means steadiness in the execution of whatever plan is determined upon. Burgh makes mention of a merchant who, at first setting out, opened and shut his shop every day, for several weeks together, without selling goods to the value of one penny, who, by the force of application for a course of years, rose at last to a handsome fortune. "But I have known," he says, "many who had a variety of opportunities of settling themselves comfortably in the world, yet, for want of steadiness to carry any scheme to perfection, they sank from one degree of wretchedness to another for many years together, without the least hopes of ever getting above distress and pinching want. There is hardly an employment in life so trifling that it will not afford a subsistence, if constantly and faithfully followed. Indeed, it is by indefatigable diligence alone that a fortune can be acquired in any business whatever."

Aft ettle, whiles hit.

Make a spoon or spoil a horn.

Lose nothing for the asking.

Plaster thick, and some will stick.

An accomplished author says, "That the man who is perpetually hesitating which of two things he will do first, will do neither. The man who resolves, but suffers his resolution to be changed by the first counter-suggestion of a friend-who fluctuates from opinion to opinion, from plan to plan, and veers like a weathercock to every point of the compass with every breath of caprice that blows-can never accomplish anything great or useful. Instead of being progressive in anything he will be at best stationary, and more probably retrograde in all. It is only the man who carries into his pursuits that great quality which Lucan ascribes to Cæsar, Nescia virtus stare locowho first consults wisely, then resolves firmly, and then executes his purpose with inflexible perseverance, undismayed by those petty difficulties which daunt a weaker spirit-that can advance to eminence in any

line."

If any one is in doubt as to what perseverance is, he may soon find it out by a little observation. Look round among your friends and acquaintances; there is perhaps amongst them an example of perseverance. Keep your eye on him for a time: does it not seem as though he had a double vitality within him, some other man's life as well as his own? It is true that his heart beats and his blood circulates in the same way as that of other men, but you cannot help fancying that there is something else in the

Strike while the iron's hot.

What is worth doing, is worth doing well.

Jack of all trades is master of none.

There grows nae grass

circulation invigorating every nerve and muscle, only
to cease when the wonderful machine stands still.
If at times it seems to be idle, you may be sure that
it is not real idleness-but only a pause for a new

start.

In the possession of rank and riches he may, perhaps, not be so well off-that is, not so bountifully supplied as many of his neighbours; but yet he goes on with a cheerful, hopeful spirit, which sustains him in trials that would swamp ordinary people. There is reciprocal cause and effect: perseverance promotes cheerfulness, and cheerfulness promotes perseverance. He who is never idle, who has no waste time, is in the fairest way to secure contentment of mind and body. Nine times out of ten, the idle man, he who has nothing to do, is unhappy, and is put to all sorts of shifts to kill time-the most lamentable kind of murder. There is something terrible in the idea of flinging away one's breathing moments, hours and days which are only lent to us, as though they were worthless. No one likes to fling away shillings by the handful, and yet how few hesitate to squander minutes!

Not so, however, with the persevering. He has an object in view, and strives to accomplish it. Early and late he follows it up, finding time not too long, but too short. He cannot do half that he would in a day; all his waking moments are employed with the duty he has in hand, or in thinking about it.

At the market cross.

One wrong step may ruin a life.

All are not hunters that blow the horn.

Every man as his business lies.

Whether in business or pleasure, he knows how to make the most of a minute. Idle gossip, trivial recreation, dissipating pursuits, have no charms for him; there is a purpose in all that he undertakes, whether of business or pleasure. If at times he fail, he tries again—and again—and still tries, come what may. It is a fine manly quality, this perseverance, especially when well directed.

There is so much to be said in favour of keeping on. Apart from any ultimate benefit, the habit of occupation is a perpetual charm, preserving the mind. from a host of irritations and discontents. Sailors, when in danger of shipwreck, find it best to keep on making efforts to save themselves, even if they perish at last, rather than to sit still and think about the horrors of their situation. Far better to swim badly than not to swim at all, if there be a chance of escaping drowning. For one devil that tempts the busy man, there are a hundred circumventing the idle one.

The question is sometimes asked, whether a man may learn to be persevering-for if perseverance be of such value and benefit, why should not all possess it? The answer is, that a man may learn to persevere if he will. Timid people have learnt how to subdue their timidity, cowards have become brave by dint of trying, and the feeble have felt that strength may be gained by proper exercise. So a man may learn perseverance. To do this, he must begin by believing that he can do

A still tongue shows a wise head.

All heads are not knowledge-boxes.

He who would take must give.

Diligence overcometh difficulty.

it. He must not be disheartened at the outset by
certain stock phrases which seem to tell against him,
such as "prerogative of genius," or "predominance of
the natal star;" he must set these down as "cabalistic
nonsense," and confide in the assurance that "diligence
overcomes all." Truly has it been said that "there are
few difficulties that hold out against real attacks;
they fly, like the visible horizon, before those who
advance." A passionate desire and unwearied will
can perform impossibilities, or what seem to be such
to the cold and feeble. If we do but go on,.some
unseen path will open upon the hills. Nothing good
or great is to be attained without courage and industry.
Resist unto the end. It may be truly said of difficulty,
what is fabulously said of the devil-Talk of it, think
of it, and forthwith it will be present to you. For one
substance of it, as the poet says of grief, there are at
least twenty shadows. Let no one doubt that perse-
verance may be learned until he has tried bravely and
honestly for a year.

To those who can and do persevere, we would
say-Go on; but see that what you strive for is
worth the effort. Remember that there is a false as
well as a true perseverance, and it is possible to waste
the energies of a life on unworthy objects. "By their
fruits shall ye know them." We are commanded to
be "diligent in business," but this is not the whole.
We must persevere with our inward life as well as our

Small gains bring great wealth.

When the fox preaches, watch your geese.