"Too low they build who build beneath the stars." EDWARD YOUNG. "Souls are built as temples are, Based on truth's eternal law, Sure and steadfast, without flaw, Through the sunshine, through the snows, Every fair thing finds its place, VII THE COST OF FOUNDATIONS HE cost of foundations is proverbial; THE it is often discouraging. When a man who proposes to build a new house first looks over the plans and estimates, he finds that the artistic features of windows, porch and roof will add comparatively little to the expense, but that the solid masonry, buried deep out of sight, is the most costly part of the building. In all ages deep and secure foundations have been sought for structures which were to endure. Those whose base was weak have long since disappeared, but the Pyramids and the Parthenon and many another ancient edifice will testify, for ages yet to come, to the skill and foresight of the men who laid their indestructible foundations. The walls of the Board of Trade build ing in Chicago are said to rest upon huge granite pillars, fifty feet long, filled round with great beds of concrete. Other towering buildings in that city have still stronger foundations. Seven of the twenty millions which the capitol at Albany has cost were expended before the first story was reached. Its stately roof might almost have been buried in the great excavation which was made to receive its sub-structure. When it was proposed to build a lighthouse on Minot's Ledge at the entrance of Boston harbor, it was found that the rock was uncovered only twenty minutes a day, at low tide. It took two years, at great cost, to shape the sea-worn surface to receive the tower; it took five years more to lay the first courses and attach them securely to the rock. Then one year sufficed to complete the tower and place in position one of the most celebrated lights which flashes its rays along the Atlantic coast. The young student often stands dis heartened at the cost of an education. It will take so many years, he complains, to go through college, and then there are other years of preparation to follow. He wants to be in business or professional life at once. In his eagerness to be a man among men he is tempted to take a short cut" in education. Why should he not enter at once upon the study of his profession? Why spend so much time upon general and disciplinary branches? Why are they so important? If he could save four years in preparing for his life-work what a gain it would be! Most young men have such thoughts as these. They are impatient of preliminaries. They are interested in whatever bears upon their future calling, but disposed to criticize and question studies and methods of work which do not immediately contribute to prepare them for their calling. They want to be putting on the roof when they should be making |