THE MANSE GARDEN. 57 



consequence will be a long unfitness for any achieve- 

 ment ; the one state terminates in leaden slumbers 

 the other in faintness; the one makes exertion seem 

 appalling the other makes it really impossible. 



Thus ought we to observe those constitutional 

 laws which so deeply affect our happiness ; and I am 

 greatly confident that experience will, in every case, 

 confirm all that has now been advanced as to health 

 and the efficiency of labour ; and the indisputable 

 conclusion I trust will be allowed, that your work in 

 the Lord's vineyard will thrive the better that you 

 work in your own. 



Suppose, then, that on stepping into your garden 

 you observe a fine fruit branch loosened from the 

 wall. It is covered with blossom or heavy with 

 fruit ; and the wind bends it over, and bears it 

 against the remaining point of its attachment. It 

 endures many a harsh gust, and seems in pain to be 

 delivered from its peril. You look on, and would 

 fain relieve it, as you would a child that is drowning. 

 But you have no mechanical turn, and, in furnishing 

 your house, never thought of buying a hammer. 

 Snap goes the branch, making a very unseemly frac- 

 ture, peeling a good bit of the yet fastened wood, and 

 hanging forth to the withering sun the shriveled 

 fruit and seared leaf, to the reproach of useless hands, 

 if not a relentless heart. As it is no doubt painful 

 to behold the labour of the long year perish, it were 

 as certainly a pleasure, by timeous interference, to 

 prevent the catastrophe. 



The mechanical turn is not like the gift of the 

 poet ; though not born it may be bought, and that 

 for a few shillings the price of a hammer and a 

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