CHACUN A SON METIER. 7 



if a man sets out with general mismanagiement of 

 anything, though time and practice may eventually 

 get him in the right road, he will find a strong 

 purse also necessary to back him on his journey ; 

 and with all this, he will yet remain in error, if 

 he continues to attribute his failure to ill-luck. 

 He would, under such impressions, still blunder 

 on in the wrong way, and would not change his 

 plans ; by doing which he has at least the chance 

 of hitting on a good one, or at all events on some 

 better one than the last. 



A man with a less extravagant opinion of his 

 own abilities would neither continue long in any 

 habitual error, or even trust to himself in adopt- 

 ing other modes, if he could avail himself of the 

 advice or suggestions of those of more experience 

 and practice ; it does not follow that he must 

 look for a man of superior mental attainments to 

 himself in order to derive benefit from his advice ; 

 he may feel perfectly satisfied that the qualities 

 of his own mind are infinitely superior to those of 

 his adviser. For a little reflection would con- 

 vince us that, however great may be our natural 

 abilities, and however highly they may have been 

 cultivated by education, a common plumber's 

 labourer might be able to give us a lesson in 

 hydraulics that would excite our surprise, or, at 

 least, our curiosity and admiration. It is true, 

 the plumber's man may make sad havoc even 



B 4 



