CONCLUSION. 731 



to reap the powerful impetus of this almost spontaneous im- 

 pulse only one thing is necessary — the doing of excellent work, 

 the finding out or the application of some great benefit to the 

 human race at large. So far from it being true that there is less 

 chance now than formerly for those who are down to rise up, 

 the very reverse of this is the case ; for in these days there is 

 always what may almost be called a ravenous demand for all 

 that really partakes of the very highest and best. This applies 

 not to this or to that activity only, but to every manner of work- 

 manship known among mankind. 



'* It is to be remembered that there is very much going on 

 around him which escapes the notice of the most observant, most 

 regular, most careful, and most painstaking man, much that, up 

 to the present, has escaped the searching gaze of all men. It is 

 this which we in these days have to look for, and see how we are 

 helped in our scrutiny ; note the multitudinous ways, many of 

 which every now and again we quite forget or ignore, in which 

 we may help ourselves and aid our eff"orts. Do we feel ill, weak, 

 incapable of work ? Do we need a change ? Look at the 

 wonderful appliances which our fellow-men eagerly thrust before 

 us I Splendid hotels ploughing calmly over the boundless and 

 beautiful ocean, carefully managed hydropathic establishments 

 in England, Scotland, Germany, and elsewhere, picturesque sea-- 

 side resorts, all these things and numberless others are ready for 

 us, nay, eagerly await our advent. Innumerable are the appli- 

 ances of science to keep the breath of healthy life in our bodies. 

 In short, such and so numerous are the chances of advancement 

 open to us that we may well conclude that each man is now- a-days 

 even more markedly than in past times the architect of his own 

 fortune or misfortune. 



" The suitable and right training of the young, of those who 

 are destined to play parts more or less prominent in the business 

 of a community, the fostering of a spirit of true culture and 

 intelligence, the formation of that philosophic habit of mind 

 invariably resulting from a liberal and sound education and from 

 a course of wide reading, coupled with the habit of accurate 

 observation — these are not the least among the primary duties 

 of mankind. In fact, the subject of education is one which 

 yields to no other in importance. It may be said, indeed, that 

 to train our children correctly comes second in point of urgency 



