little service to him, for his lot in life was just the same as Henry's still,-he worked as hard, and received as little money. But you would have been greatly mistaken. During these years the former had continued his daily habit of rising two hours before going to work, and making diligent use of them; the latter, true to the practice of his boyhood, had become more and more confirmed in the habit of lying in bed. What these habits worked in them and did for them, you shall learn in Part II.

'Early to bed and early to rise,
Makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise,'
Is a very old proverb, and very good rule,
For men or for boys, at work or in school.

Take the advice, you will find it the best,
Be up with the lark, and early to rest;
Work with a will at lessons or play,
And rightly improve every hour of the day.

You may not, perchance, be sure to get wealth, But blessings much greater are knowledge and health;

In these the true force of the old proverb lies, So act then upon it and show yourselves wise.

hith-er-to, up to the pre- re-quired, wanted

'George,' said the head of the firm to him one day, 'have you had much schooling? I am afraid you have not, for it is about eight years since you came to the works, and you must have been rather young at that time. Now, I have watched you pretty closely these eight years, although you have not known it, and I have been very much pleased with your general conduct and industry, and especially with your punctuality. There has just occurred a vacancy in the office, and there is no one I should like so much to fill it as yourself, if you had only had the advantage of a better education.'

'Well, sir,' said George, when he had an opportunity to say a word, 'it is very kind of you to think of me, even if I should not be qualified to fill the vacant situation. Whatever position I have in these works, I shall try to do my duty, and serve you well. But, may I ask,

sir, what is required of the person who has to fill this office?'

'Well, you see,' said his master, 'I am rather sorry now that I mentioned it to you, for it is hardly to be expected that you should know anything of these matters. The post I want to fill up is an important one. The man who fills it must be very trustworthy, but I'm sure you would do in that respect; he must know something of accounts, as he will have to assist in keeping the books; and, as we deal very largely with various parts of France, he ought to have a sufficient knowledge of the French language to look over, and sometimes answer, the letters from that country.'

'If no more than that is required,' said George, 'I think I should like to try and serve you in the office rather than in the foundry. I don't like to boast about myself, but I think I could do the work you mention.' 'Why, George,' said the gentleman, 'you astonish me. How have you had the opportunity of learning book-keeping or French? Where have you found time to study these subjects?'

George then told how he had taken the hours out of his mornings' rest, how he had struggled and persevered, how the master of the village school had kindly assisted him, and how, by diligence and determination, he had acquired a knowledge of other subjects besides the two just mentioned. The master was delighted as he listened, and thought more of his servant than ever.

Next Monday, then, you shall make a start in this new situation. Instead of working with your coat off, from six in the morning to six at night, you will be in the office, with your coat on,

from nine to five. Your wages, of course, will be in keeping with the position. Instead of receiving twenty-five shillings a week, as you have done hitherto, you will receive fifty shillings to commence with, which sum shall be increased if I see you are really valuable to me; and no one will rejoice more than I shall, if you are successful and rise still higher in the firm.'

When George reached home that evening, he scarcely knew whether he was on his head or his heels. To think that next Monday he would cast aside, perhaps for ever, his black, grimy suit, and go down to the office in his Sunday best; that his wages were at one stroke doubled; that every day's work would be shortened by three hours in the morning and one in the evening! All this was enough to turn his wits for the moment.

George was just as diligent in his new employment as he had been in the old. He was able to do the work allotted to him; he gained the respect of his fellow-clerks, and the increased confidence of his employer. Step by step he rose in the firm, until at last he was received as a partner. He is now a rich man, and is the sole owner of the large iron-works where he once worked as a labouring boy. He has continued. his habit of early rising up to this day; and to this habit he attributes a great deal of his success in business, and the excellent health he still enjoys.

And now, what about the other boy? He is still at the same works, but not as a master. He is but little better off than he was when we last mentioned him. His habit of indolence had increased, and at last quite overcame him. In

D

stead of improving his precious moments, he slept or trifled them away. It was as though he had made up his mind to toil and drudge all through life.

When George became master of the works, he did not forget the days when he and Henry were companions together. He felt sorry that his old friend had not risen in life, but he also knew the main cause. He improved Henry's position as much as he could, and raised his wages for the sake of old times, but he could never offer him any situation that required mental ability and

trust.

Early rising tends not only to our success in life, but to lengthen our lives. A magistrate some time ago determined to put a series of questions to every old man that was brought before him. Some of these questions were very strange, and some of the answers were very strange too. Scarcely any two of them were alike. Some had taken strong drinks in early life, and some had not; some were smokers, and some were not; some had been well off, and some had always been poor. But in one thing they all agreed, they had all been early risers. How much of their long lives was owing to this fact, we cannot tell.