The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1876-03-16

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end Of whose life iswehips, How
many of us are there that could tell
definitely what we are living for?
Hoy many have considered what
their yoyage shall be? No wonder
that 50 many ships go into hgrbQr at
last in ballast, n.rl4
Even seeming and transient sue
cess require a, definite and cherished
EPurppse- Ip, 1887 a dinpcr-party was
Lgiesn in; New York eity.at Chancel-
ElOr Kent's, Some l9f the imoqst dis
tinguished meA of the city sat down
al sthe, table Among them was q
SHi' af Tafil laelape eAQlB and
n N
| Who WAS one OF the guests, I drew
the attention of Mr., Galiatin, to
the stranger Observing that his fore
head indicated great intellect
"Yes,n replied Mr.. Gallatin, touching
his own forehead with his finger,
"thero is great deal in that head of
his but he has strange fancy. Can
you believe it, he has the idea that
he will one day be the Emperor of
the French. Can you conceive of
anything so absurd?" 1t was that
idea, pqrsistontly cherished in exile
and imprisonment, and despite disas-
ter, that made him, fourteen years
after, Emperor of the French
Lucky mani Not at all. 1t is not
lucky men that achieve, but plucky
men.
Not only a definite purpose, but
persistence of force in its execution
essential to success. Life, directed
by definite purpose, and calm and
confident in defeat as in success, this
lis the spirit that wins victories, If
there are aimlcss men who fail be-
cause they never really attempt any
thing, there are still more balky men
who make a jerk or two at the load,
and then give it up. l believe the
drivers consider that one balky horse
will spoil a team. / am sure one
balky man viii ruin an enterprise.
We all remember the story of De-
mosthenos spouting with pebbles in
his mouth to conquer an imperfect
articulation, and secure that distinct
ness Of speech which is the first con
dition Of true oratory. Aadubon's
first iIau.inns u.arA-.aaIr,,'ls ls. -. =, ~.
fruits of years of labor went for u
nights meal. lie plunged into the
forest and spent three years in re-
pairing their ravages. Hugh Miller
began life as stono-mason's appren-
tice. He ended it as one of the first
scientists in his department. in Great
Britain. The secret of his success is
to be found in those hours which he
spent in study by the light of the
fire or that of the moon, which his
comrades spent in jest and song and
story. Elihu Burritt began as
blacksmith. But while he blew the
bellows with one hand he held in the
other the book in which he studied
Greek. He did not end life as a
blacksmith. Sir Isaac Newton, Col
umbus, Washington, Wellington,
Wilbcrforcc, Fulton, Morse, Fiold-
the lesson of all these lives is perso-
verance. The dullcst nations coin
this truth into proverbs, "Persevcr-
ance kills the game" says the Span
ish provcrb. with time amulbcry-
leaf becomes satin" says John Chi
naman, "Striko while the iron is
hot" is good advice, Make it hot by
striking, is better counsel. The two
greatest rivals of their age both re-
peat this advice; 'Victory belongs
to the most pcrscvoring," says Nopo-
leon. "Hard pounding, gentlemen"
but we will see who can pound the
longest" says Wellington, at Water
loo.
Energy, well directed and patient
ly and perseveringly maintained, this
is one of the conditions, one of the
first and fundamental conditions, of
success in life. Genius without en-
crgy and perseverance achieves moth
ing,-Roanoko Collcg'an.
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