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Discouragement Cured. Arago ascribes his success to the following words written on the paper cover of his book by D'Alembert at a time of great discouragement :-“Go on, sir ; go on! The difficulties you meet will resolve themselves as you advance. Proceed, and light will dawn, and shine with increased clearness on your

path.”

“That maxim," says Arago, “was my greatest master in mathematics.” By following out these simple words, “Go on, sir ; go on,” he became one of the first mathematicians and astronomers of his age.

Difficulties give root to Strong Characters.

Sir Charles Napier once said of the difficulties with which he was surrounded in one of his campaigns, “They only make my feet go deeper into the ground." His battle of Meeanee was one of the most extraordinary feats in history. With 2,000 men, of whom only 400 were Europeans, he encountered an army of 35,000 hardy and well-armed Beloochees. It was an act, apparently, of the most

. daring temerity, but the General had faith in himself and in his men. He charged the Belooch centre up a high bank which formed their rampart in front, and for three mortal hours the battle raged. Each man of that small force, inspired by their chief, became for the time a hero. The Beloochees, though twenty to one, were driven back, but with their faces

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to the foe. It is this sort of pluck, tenacity, and determined perseverance which wins soldiers' battles, and, indeed, every battle. It is the one neck nearer that wins the race and shows the blood ; it is the one march more that wins the campaign ; the five minutes' more persistent courage that wins the fight. Though your force be less than another's, you equal and outmaster your opponent if you continue it longer and concentrate it more.

The reply of the Spartan father who said to his son, when complaining that his sword was too short, “Add a step to it,” is applicable to everything in life.

Minding one's own Business. “During my long commercial experience,” said Stephen Girard, “I have noticed that no advantage results from telling one's business to others, except to create jealousy or competitors when we are fortunate, and to gratify our enemies when otherwise.” He was never known to disregard this theory in all his protracted and successful career.

John Jacob Astor's "Highway to Fortune.' “It's what thee'll spend, my son,” said a sage old Quaker, "not what thee'll make, which will decide whether thee's to be rich or not."

John Jacob Astor used to say that a man who wishes to be rich and has saved ten thousand dollars has won half the battle—is on the highway to for

tune. Not that Astor thought ten thousand much, But he knew that in making and saving such a sum a man acquired habits of prudent economy, which would constantly keep him advancing in wealth. The habitual small expenses, which are designated as "only a trifle," amount in the aggregate, like the sands of the shore, to something pretty serious.

Fortunes at a Single Blow.

"I find," said a shrewd merchant, "I make most money when I am least anxious about it." There is practical philosophy in this remark. Caution, prudence, sagacity, and deliberation are all necessary to business success. Some men, it is true, get rich suddenly, but the great majority do not and cannot. Buonaparte once said, "I have no idea of a merchant's acquiring a fortune as a general wins a battle, at a single blow." Such fortunes too often vanish suddenly.

Benjamin D'Israeli's Motto.

"The secret of success is constancy of purpose."

Thomas Carlyle's Advice.

"Be a whole man to one thing at a time."

John Bright's Cardinal Principle.

"I agree with one of the greatest men that England or the world ever produced when he said, 'To know that which before us lies in daily life is the prime wisdom." "

Edmund Burke's Principle.

“ Varying the means to secure the unity of the

end."

The Ladder of Commercial Success. . The distinguished American, James Halford, rose step by step up the ladder of fortune until he stood securely at the summit-with fame, wealth, and honours surrounding him. Some twenty years before, this same James Halford was at the very foot of the ladder, pondering how he should rise. The ladder was very curious to contemplate, and still more curious was it to hear what the world said about it.

“ It is all luck, sir,” cried one, “nothing but luck. Why, sir, I have managed at times to get up a step or two, but have always fallen down ere long, and now I have given up striving, for luck is against me.”

“No, sir,” cried another, “it is not so much luck as scheming ; the selfish schemer goes up, while more honest folk remain at the foot."

“Patronage does it all," said a third. “You must have somebody to take you by the hand and help you up, or you have no chance."

James Halford heard all these varied opinions of the world, but still persisted in looking upward, for he had faith in himself.

“The cry of luck’s all,'—what does it amount to in reality ?” thought he. “But that some people are surrounded by better circumstances than others?

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They must still, however, take advantage of those circumstances permanently to succeed; and I, having very indifferent circumstances around me, have the more need to use great exertion in order to better them; and when reverses come I will not despair as some d , but persevere on to fortune. I want no friend to take me by the hand and do that for me which every healthy man can do better for himself. No. I will rise by myself alone.” The resolution was earnestly made and faithfully carried out. From the humblest capacity in a store, to the post of highest trust, James Halford rose in a few years. He became a trader for himself and amassed a large fortune.

Hurry and Dispatch. No two things differ more than hurry and dispatch. Hurry is the mark of a weak mind; dispatch of a strong one. A weak man in office, like a squirrel in a cage, is labouring eternally, but to no purpose ; in constant motion, without getting on a jot; talks a great deal, but says very little looks into everything, but sees nothing; and has a hundred irons in the fire, but very few of them hot, and with those he burns his fingers.-COLTON.

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Exactness in Accounts. Many gentlemen turn out of the seats of their ancestors to make way for such new masters as have been more exact in their accounts than themselves. ADDISON,

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