in the month in which they are paid for, or perhaps are divided up among the several months of the year, there will not be, cannot be, uniformity in the exhibits of the several companies. In the same way, if one company includes in its accounts for a particular period all moneys earned during that period, without reference to the time of collection, while another company refuses to consider money earned until it is actually in the treasury, there cannot be uniformity in the returns and their value for purposes of comparison will be greatly lessened."

CHAPTER VI.

ORGANIZATION OF ACCOUNTS.

RETURNS.

FREQUENCY OF

The tenacity with which men stick to existing customs evinces at once their strength and their weakness. While it protects them against dangerous innovations it also retards growth and the realization of better methods. As between those who advance too fast and those who advance too slowly, however, the advantage is on the side of the latter, in my judgment. This is evinced in political affairs. The harm attaching to the teachings of many so-called reformers makes us distrust the whole brood. The thing itself they teach may be well enough, but the unforeseen complications that arise out of it not only neutralize benefits, but in many cases greatly outweigh them. The English speaking people, above all others that have ever existed, illustrate conservative adherence to existing things; indisposition to change except after mature deliberation. The strength, duration and beneficent institutions of England demonstrate the wisdom of her people. We do not need to point out the nations that are pursuing a contrary principle nor the gulf into which they will plunge.

The glory of youth is its vigor. It believes in its own wisdom and purpose.

Strange associa-
Middle life cools

tion of strength and weakness! the ardor, dulls confidence. Thus what we do hastily at one epoch of our lives, we approach slowly and doubtfully at another.

The young unqualifiedly condemn that which they do not unqualifiedly adopt. Old age is more charitable. Men come to be indulgent. However encrusted men's prejudices, the shell that encases them never becomes quite hard, so long as they observe what is going on about them. However much we admire our own methods, we find that we have much to learn from the wisdom and experience of others. Moreover, we discover that the thing we esteem perfect to-day, we find it easy to improve upon to-morrow. This is the evidence that we are growing and not shrinking; that the brain, like a spreading tree, each year takes on added verdure, throws a wider and longer shadow, takes deeper root, produces better fruit.

These thoughts are suggested by the revolution of business affairs, particularly those of railroads. That which appeared perfect a few years ago is to-day relegated to the attic of forgotten rubbish, or clings like a nightmare to its adherents.

A danger that besets business men is indisposition to change. The methods that at one time represented the acme of knowledge they continue to regard as perfect to the end. They ignore growth; are lulled to sleep with the belief

that having perfected a thing at one period of their lives, it must necessarily represent perfection at another period. They fall into a rut which grows deeper and deeper as they advance, until they not only become incapable of lifting themselves out of it, but reject with impatience any suggestion of change.

It is also especially hard for a man to realize that something produced by another is superior to his own. We cling to that which we originated as a mother clings to her offspring. It is ours. We suckled it, held it, started it on its journey. We cannot be made to believe it can grow old and decrepit. There comes a period in the life of every man, however, when he does one of two things; he overcomes his too great selfesteem or goes blindly forward to the end, growing more and more obstinate, more and more stupid, each year. It is all-important which road we take. One leads us through green fields, abundant nature, the other through desolate lands and lost opportunities.*

It is not necessary that our experience should be associated with great events; it is just as real

*One of the most striking illustrations of man's impatience of others was called to my attention by a railway officer in connection with a certain form. In talking with him on the subject he told me he had adopted it, but had not read the instructions accompanying it, as he wished to get up something original. The instructions in question were voluminous. He was compelled to adopt the blank, but drew the line there. His instructions, he was determined, should be original. I thought this as fine an illustration of man's egotism as I had ever seen.

in small things. Greatness is a relative term. It is not more difficult to manage great affairs for those schooled amidst such events than to apply ourselves to small matters if our lines lie in the latter direction. The events in the life of a business man evince greatness as much as the government of an empire evinces the power and glory of the imperial ruler. The only difference is that one affects mankind more greatly than the other. One also takes on an historical hue, while the other does not. Many men who have died and been forgotten, like the subsiding of a billow, possessed greatness superior to that of Alexander. But while the glory and brutality of Alexander will be remembered forever, the others are not remembered longer than the fleecy cloud that passes over our heads. These reflections, while disheartening in a certain sense, yet increase man's self-respect. Intrinsic worth, rather than public estimation, is the test. To possess the genius of Alexander is as much as to be thought to possess it. While no one can enjoy reputation built upon pretense, men may be none the less great although not recognized.

These things have no connection with the subject I set out to discuss, which is at once homely and limited. They are suggested by the common peculiarities of men; similarity of the great and small.

The experience of a railway accounting officer lies wholly among prosaic facts, among the dry