as a lamb. The same law of results is applicable to man, and every living organism is propagated "in its kind" with a physical and mental likeness. This is the underlying principle of development, and its moral as well as its physical aspect ought to be understood by all.

Smoking.-A few words may, perhaps, usefully be added on the subject of tobacco. It is probable that no physiologist would contend that this narcotic in any form is essential to the well-being of the body. Thousands of healthy men, and the vast majority of women, never touch it; yet it is certain that its use is becoming daily more frequent, and that when once introduced into a country, or adopted by an individual, it is almost hopeless to attempt to eradicate the taste for it. The eagerness with which it is sought after by its devotees, and the distress that is occasioned by a temporary failure of the supply; the difficulty in all cases with which the habit of smoking, once acquired, is broken, -indicate clearly enough that it supplies some want in the economy, or exercises some influence on the system, which cannot be replaced by other means. In moderation, as Sir Benjamin Brodie said long ago, it probably acts as a sedative to the nervous system, especially when in a condition of excitement and worry, and its abuse only should be deprecated. Wherein abuse consists, however, is extremely difficult to decide. A long controversy has been waged on the subject, but the only definite results appear to be that it is unwise to smoke very early in the morning, or when the stomach is enfeebled by lack of food. We would, nevertheless, caution young men that it is highly deleterious to their constitution to begin to smoke until they have attained their full physical development. To see a growing lad puffing away at a pipe is as painful to most people as it is offensive to many. It may be added that some of the most confirmed and inveterate smokers, if asked their candid opinion on the use of tobacco, unhesitatingly declare that if they had not become accustomed to it, knowing what they do of its effects, they would never begin to use it.

CHAPTER VI.

THE EMPLOYÉ IN RELATION TO THE EMPLOYER.

AVING generally spoken of the responsibilities and duties devolving upon the youth on his entrance into business life, let us consider some of the qualities or traits of character that ought to distinguish him in his relations with

his employer and with his fellow-men.

Honesty.-It may, at first sight, seem a superfluous if not an impertinent recommendation to tender to a youth that he must make up his mind to be honest. It is a virtue that is generally taken as a matter of course. He may naturally retort: I must necessarily be honest; never having been anything else, I am not about to change my principles now when there is most occasion for their display. We have no doubt of the reader's honesty, in the ordinary acceptation of the term; but it may be asked, What does his idea of honesty include? If it is only in money transactions that he is resolved to be honest, that is a matter so absolutely indispensable that, unless it were taken for granted by those who have recommended him, and by those also who have accepted his future services, he would have had no chance of obtaining employment at all.

Honesty in Discharge of Duties.-Many persons also, may be safely trusted, as far as financial honesty is concerned, and under certain limits, because they are afraid of the penalties of detection; others, again, are fairly trustworthy because they have hitherto escaped serious temptation. If a man behave honestly towards his employer in the matter of pounds, shillings, and pence, he does well, no doubt; but not better than he is absolutely bound to do. There is, however, an honesty which is rarer, above and beyond fidelity in money transactions, and which ought to permeate

every kind of duty and action. There is the spirit, for instance, which conscientiously recognises the difference between his master's time and his own, and never for his own ends or caprices suffers the boundary between them to be transgressed. The employé, for example, is required to be in attendance at his employer's place of business during certain hours, or during the time necessary for the discharge of certain duties. That time is not his own, but his master's. If he be unpunctual in attendance; if he belong to that despicable class who are last to arrive in the morning and first to leave in the evening; if he take advantage of some laxity in oversight to render the duration of his attendance less than it ought to be, he is unquestionably dishonest; the employer does not obtain the full amount of duty he has a right to expect, and which the employé has engaged to give. It matters not even whether the latter is paid for his services or not; the agreement stands, and it is substantially and dishonestly infringed.

Idle Habits. The stigma of dishonesty, however ugly the word, applies equally to the habit of trifling and dawdling during business hours. Indeed, the habit involves a double dishonesty. The interests of those served suffer from want of attention, deficiency of activity, and delay in performance, while there is a mean pretence of doing something, although nothing useful is being actually transacted, which is inimical to the moral rectitude of the offender. In this case his own welfare is sacrificed by his injuring his business training through doing his duty in a slatternly and perfunctory manner. Dishonesty to self is never compatible with strict faithfulness to the interests of others; the maxim of Polonius, in "Hamlet," is well deserving of remembrance :

This above all,-To thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.

His own

A young man in a business establishment has often a pretext, but not an excuse, for being idle. interest lies in cultivating the habit of industry. If his immediate work have been performed, there are many opportunities constantly presenting themselves for acquiring information which may be of the highest service to him at

some future day, if he take pains to avail himself of them; indeed, he is expected to acquire for himself, without waiting to be taught, as much information and experience as possible. These opportunities may be found, not only in the duties actually devolving upon him, but in the routine of work which he sees carried on around him. If there be anything connected with his own occupation that he does not understand, he should endeavour, first of all, by close application, to discover it for himself; and, when he has exhausted all his resources, he should seek from others more experienced the desired explanation. There are few skilled workers in a counting-house or other place of business who will not afford necessary information if courteously asked and at a suitable time. If, however, the beginner is content to get his task done with as little trouble to himself, either mental or physical, as is possible, and in looking only to the end of the day's duties, he is defrauding and depraving himself, and certainly, in effect, robbing his employer.

Wastefulness. Remember, that all of an employer's property that is placed under the care of a junior ought to be used, not for the purposes of the latter, but in trust for its actual owner. We do not refer merely to cash, but to what may be regarded as small things, such as paper, pens, pencils, &c. Waste of one's own property is blamable; waste of another's is dishonesty. Use, but do not abuse; be as careful of every article of this kind as if it had to be paid for out of your own pocket. It is a common remark of experienced clerks and counting-house managers, that young lads under them spoil more stationery than their services are worth.

the

Incentives to Diligence.-Do not think that the matters which appear in your eyes trifling, such as misspent opportunities of acquiring information, thriftlessness, untidiness, unpunctuality, and the like,-pass entirely unobserved by your seniors. Some of these faults may, it is true, evade detection, but the novice is mistaken if he supposes that the eyes of business men and their managers will not find out the delinquencies, and lead to a correct estimate of his character and worth. These inconsiderable matters, -as you regard them, are being perceived and noted,

and may decide the question whether or not you are worthy of being advanced, or even of being retained, in the establishment. An opinion may be gradually in course of formation that you require careful watching and being kept to your work. This view on the part of an employer is most detrimental to the prospects of a young man, and generally leads to his services being dispensed with. Scrupulous honesty in such matters as we have referred to is valuable, further, in that it generally presumes honesty in all things," he that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much."

Punctuality. In order to attain punctuality to the time fixed for beginning and leaving off work, it is a good plan to be always beforehand. The employé should commence work at the moment of the appointed time, and keep his attention fixed upon his occupation until the time for leaving off arrives. This may seem to some persons very exacting, and so it is; but the conditions of most kinds of work are such that anything short of this is dishonest. Looked at in this light, what a stimulus is given to the attainment of the characteristic of punctuality? By determination and effort this good quality is easily acquired. When a duty is efficiently and promptly done, it brings with it many and valuable advantages. It avoids causes for censure, and generally leads to approval and commendation. It would be much better if punctuality were to become so general as to make it unnecessary to attach pains and penalties for its infraction. This quality has an important bearing in helping the employé forward in the course of life, and it also tends to produce inward satisfaction and a greater degree of self-respect.

Concentrated Attention to the work on hand is necessary in order that it may be well done. Work carelessly done is always imperfect. Every one, therefore, ought to make it his daily care to give his undivided attention to his business if he wishes to transact it efficiently. Much talking, more especially reading during business hours, ought to be avoided. The combined faculties of mind and body, when concentrated upon the task in hand, lead to the best results. The degree of perfection possible in all kinds of work is far greater than many people realise. When this attention