32 ALFRED T. SCHOFIELD, ESQ.^ M.D.^ M.R.C.S.E., ON 



the corresponding: negative on the other side must not be 

 taken for granted. It is too often assumed in regard to 

 statements that an assertion implies a direct denial of its 

 opposite. It is not always so. 



We have now, perhaps, sufficiently insisted that when an 

 action ceases to require conscious effort for its performance 

 and then becomes unconscious, by repetition, it begins to 

 establish a fresh principle in the character; and we may now 

 pass on to look at the way in which habits are formed. 



The Greeks Avere very fond of the word wisdom ; 'O Sox^pcoy. 

 .or the Avise or prudent man, Avas really the product of 

 perfectly organised habit, and could be relied on to act 

 Avisely in every path in life as the result of a formed character. 



Wliat are the means by Avhich habit is formed? There 

 are tAvo — environment, or Avhat is ao^ound the man — the 

 habit of the same atmosphere ; and ideals, or Avhat is before 

 the man. An illustration of the poAver that breathing the 

 same atmosphere has in producing fresh springs of character 

 may be found in considering the professions. 



Supposing a man sends one of his sons to be a sailor, 

 another to be a soldier, another to be a doctor, another 

 to be a laAvyer, another to be a merchant, and; perhaps, 

 another does nothing at all. At forty years of age a very 

 marked difference Avill be seen between these men. The 

 sailor has not only a characteristic body and gait, but 

 a sailor's mind — he is a sailor all through his character. 

 In short, there would be more fresli springs seen in his 

 cliaracter than in that of any other class, because he begins 

 earlier, and the atmosphere he breathes on board ship is 

 more intense and specialised than in any other profession. 

 A sailor, therefore, is stamped through and through in 

 character, in thoughts, mind, consciousness and uncon- 

 sciousness Avith all those traits that are the hallmark of his 

 profession. 



A regular soldier again differs from a volunteer in that the 

 latter is a civilian at heart, though a soldier Avhen lie is being 

 paraded and on duty. In himself he is a clerk, or accountant 

 or student Avho at particular times puts on his uniform and 

 does his drill. But that does not affect his character 

 materially. Now a soldier, avIio enlists for a certain time in 

 the army, becomes changed in his character by the fixed 

 environment he is forced to breathe. He is a soldier Avhen 

 off duty as much as on parade. This shoAvs the power of 

 habit - in producing fresh springs of character. I cannot 



