Every man is the architect of his own fortune.

Prediction of failure does not affect me.

-MARCONI.

Not all who seem to fail, have failed indeed;
Not all who fail have therefore worked in vain :
For all our acts to many issues lead;

And out of earnest purpose, pure and plain,
Enforced by honest toil of hand or brain,
The Lord will fashion in His own good time,
(Be this the labourer's proudly humble creed)
Such ends, as to his wisdom fitliest chime
With His vast love's eternal harmonies.
There is no failure for the good and wise;
What though thy seed should fall by the wayside
And the birds snatch it; yet the birds are fed;
Or they may bear it far across the tide,
To give rich harvests after thou art dead.

Failures are but the pillars of success.

A feverish display of over-zeal

-WELSH PROVERB.

At the first outset, is an obstacle

To all success; water, however, cold

Will penetrate the ground by slow degrees.

"HITOPADESHA.' 99*

Some persons, if asked to point out the kind of man best fitted to get well through the world, would pitch upon the vigorous and able man, judging that, in a scene where there are SO many obstacles, the

* Prof. Johnson's edition.

power of meeting and overcoming them must be the most important of all qualifications. Others might indicate the man of great vivacity and quickness of parts he who watches and takes advantage of everything, feels interested in everything, and never for one moment allows his faculties to be at rest. Now these are valuable qualifications in their way, and no doubt of great use in enabling a man, as the common phrase is, to get through the world. Yet, I question, if they are the most essential of all qualities for that purpose. The force of an individual is often found of little avail against the great inert obstacles which he meets in the course. High nervous activity wears itself out, and often perishes before it has effected anything. It appears to me that the kind of man truly best fitted to get well through life is he who, while possessing a fair share of the above qualities, abounds more in a certain passiveness of character, fitting him to take almost every troublesome thing easily. This man does not so much cope with difficulties, as he ducks and let them pass over his head. He never allows himself to get into an excitement, either for or against anything or anybody. -R. CHAMBERS.

Everything is uncertain till you possess it. Ancaeos, a king of the Lelégës in Samos, planted a vineyard, and was warned by one of his slaves that he would never live to taste the wine thereof. Wine was made from its grapes, and the king sent for his he thought of his prophecy now. "There's many a slip twixt the the words were yet scarce spoken, when news was brought that a bear had burst into the vineyard and was laying waste the vines. Up started the king in a fury, seized

slave asking him what The slave made answer, cup and the lip," and

his spear, and went forth to attack the bear, but was killed in the encounter.*

Shame on that thing in the form of a man

Which says that it can't, while there's hope that it can!
But success to the workers with muscle and brain,
Who, whene'er defeated, will try once again!
Though want and distress make all others quail,
With labour and faith true men never fail.

Keep up your courage, friend,

Nor falter on the track

Look up, toil bravely on,

And scorn to languish back!

A true heart rarely fails to win-
A will can make a way—

The darkest night will yield at last
Unto the perfect day.

The rules of the founder of the great banking house of Rothschild formulated and bequeathed to his children read as follows:

Carefully examine every detail of your business,
Be prompt in everything.

Take time to consider, but decide positively,

Dare to go forward,

Bear troubles patiently.

Be brave in the struggle of life.

Maintain your integrity as a sacred thing.

Never tell business lies,

Make no useless acquaintance,

• From Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable.

Pay your debts promptly,

Employ your time well.

Do not reckon on chance.

Work hard.*

THE HARE AND THE TORTOISE.

A forward hare of swiftness vain,
The genius of the neighbouring plain,
Would oft deride the drudging crowd:
For geniuses are ever proud.

He'd boast his flight 'twere vain to follow;
For dog and horse he'd beat them hollow;
Nay, if he put forth all his strength,
Outstrip his brethren half a length.

A tortoise heard his vain oration,
And vented thus his indignation:

"O puss, it bodes thee dire disgrace
When I defy thee to the race.
Come, 'its a match;-nay, no denial;
I'll lay my shell upon the trial."

'Twas done, and done, all fair, a bet,

Judges prepar'd, and distance set.

The scampering hare outstripped the wind, The creeping tortoise lagg'd behind,

And scarce had pass'd a single pole,

When puss had almost reached the goal.
"Friend tortoise," quoth the jeering hare,
"Your burthen's more than you can bear:
To help your speed, it were as well
That I should ease you of your shell:
Jog on a little faster, pry thee,

I'll take a nap and then be with thee."

• Reported in the Bombay Gazette of the 1st November 1904.

The tortoise heard this taunting jeer,
But still resolv'd to persevere,

And to the goal securely crept,
While puss, unknowing, soundly slept.
The bets were won, the hare awake,
When thus the victor tortoise spake :

"Puss, though I own thy quicker parts,
Things are not always done by starts;
You may deride my awkward pace,
But slow and steady wins the race."

-LLOYD.