88 EMINENT NATURALISTS. 



wrought for bawbees, and time spent ? Shall I tell ? 

 Not on that which will either enlighten, elevate, nor 

 yet in any way help to better your condition, No. 

 But on that which rather tends to make you inebriates, 

 and may lead you to — to what ? Here I must pause, 

 for who could take upon him to say what the end 

 might be ? The very thought makes me shudder. 

 Beware then how you spend your money, and the 

 precious moments you waste in doing so. Be not 

 offended, I beseech you, at my seeming earnestness and 

 pleadings ; I wish none of you any harm, but rather 

 good. I would be the same to all who waste their time 

 and substance so, and who indulge in that doubly 

 accursed thing — drink and lewd living. 



" I will now advert a little to your time. Time 

 wasted is time lost. Never forget that. Also that, 

 once gone, it can never be recalled by you, by no one. 

 No time, no means to get knowledge ! No will, no 

 wish, to regenerate yourselves and better your condition ! 

 I do not, I declare, understand you. Had you said, No 

 inclination, I might have managed that. Bethink 

 yourselves, my friends, and get wisdom, at whatever 

 cost or sacrifice. 



" I am well aware that you have much to contend 

 against, and many privations to bear with ; but you are 

 not alone in that. Others have the same, and perhaps 

 worse. Have a mind to do, and do it and all obstacles 

 will fly. That's the road to success and renown. 

 Blow the midges out of your path. It can be, and has 

 been done, as I have already told you, by some fully as 

 badly off in every respect as you are, or can be. Even 



