and is nowise confined to the case of virtuous actions. Many indifferent things which men originally did from a motive of some sort, they continue to do from habit. Sometimes this is done unconsciously, the consciousness coming only after the action at other times with conscious volition, but volition which has become habitual, and is put in operation by the force of habit, in opposition, perhaps, to the deliberate preference, as often happens with those who have contracted habits of vicious or hurtful indulgence. Third and last, comes the case in which the habitual act of will in the individual instance is not in contradiction to the general intention prevailing at other times, but in fulfilment of it; as in the case of the person of confirmed virtue, and of all who pursue deliberately and consistently any determinate end.

7. S. Mill.

WORK THE SOURCE OF HAPPINESS.

If thou workest at that which is before thee, following right reason seriously, vigorously,

calmly, without allowing anything else to distract thee, but keeping thy divine part pure, as if thou shouldest be bound to give it back immediately; if thou holdest to this, expecting nothing, fearing nothing, but satisfied with thy present activity according to nature, and with heroic truth in every word thou utterest, thou wilt live happy. And there is no man who is able to prevent this.

:

NOBLENESS OF WORK.

M. Antoninus.

There is a perennial nobleness, and even sacredness, in work. Were he never so be nighted, forgetful of his high calling, there is always hope in a man that actually and earnestly works in idleness alone there is perpetual despair. Work, never so mammonish, mean, is in communication with nature; the real desire to get work done will itself lead one more and more to truth, to nature's appointments and regulations, which are truth. The latest gospel in the world is, know thy work, and do it.

Carlyle.

LABOUR AND THOUGHT.

It is only by labour that thought can be made healthy, and only by thought that labour can be made happy.

Ruskin.

OCCUPATION.

La nature nous a fait un besoin de l'occupation; la société nous en fait un devoir; l'habitude peut en faire un plaisir.

Capelle.

INDUSTRY.

And think you I shall call you industrious because you give whole nights to study, to labour, to reading? Assuredly, not. I must know to what end you direct this work and study. If you devote your time to cultivating and training your reason, in accustoming yourself to obey the behests of Nature and to do your duty to others, I call you industrious : for such work is alone worthy of man.

.

Epictetus.

WORK, THE GREAT INSTRUMENT OF SELF

CULTURE.

Now the man who in working, no matter in what way, strives perpetually to fulfil his obligations thoroughly, to do his whole work faithfully, to be honest, not because honesty is the best policy, but for the sake of justice, and that he may render to every man his due,-such a labourer is continually building up in himself one of the greatest principles of morality and religion. Every blow on the anvil, on the earth, or whatever material he works upon, contributes something to the perfection of his nature.

Channing.

SELF-CULTURE.

It is the work of a philosopher to be every day subduing his passions, and laying aside his prejudices.

NATURE-HOW COMMANDED.

Nature is commanded by obeying her.

Addison.

Bacon.

HEAVEN UPON EARTH.

Certainly it is heaven upon earth to have a man's mind move in charity, rest in Providence and turn upon the poles of truth.

Bacon.

BAD HABITS.

Like flakes of snow that fall unperceived upon the earth, the seemingly unimportant events of life succeed one another. As the snow gathers together, so are our habits formed: no single flake that is added to the pile produces a sensible change; no single flake creates, however it may exhibit, a man's character; but as the tempest hurls the avalanche down the mountain, and overwhelms the inhabitant and his habitation, so passion, acting upon the elements of mischief, which pernicious habits have brought together by imperceptible accumulation, may overwhelm the edifice of truth and virtue.

Jeremy Bentham.