The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1880-03-18
lMacmillan's MagaZine.l
Life at High Pressure.

lIleIl, IHeH tIlaG nave Deen great Dene-
factors of their kind and have left
great works behind them, have had to
live under pressure, with strained en-
ergleS. and the sense of having too
much to do? 1t seems as if men could
hardly become great under the condi
tions Of calm leisurely life. A man
cannot run at his fastest, or swim his
furthest, in ordinary circumstances;
he must be running in an exciting
race, or swimming for dear life, to do
his best. 1t rarely appears what man
IS capable of till he is put to his met
tie. Necessity is a wonderful educator,
wonderful enlarger and quickener of
mems faculties. We lately read an
account of printing machine which
from eight cylinders can print and
fold about hundred thousand news
papers in an hour. What but the
pressure of necessity could ever have
made machinery accomplish such
wonders? 1t needs something of the
same sort to take the most out of
human faculties. Under the pressure,
the faculties become enlarged and
quickened, and are thus capable of
producing results that calm leisure
never attains.
Still it is true that overwork is an
evil. 1t is more-it is often a MUIR
derer. Sir Walter Scott, Sir James
Simpson, DIR. Mormon Macleod, and
many others certainly did not live to
the end Of their days, and it was over
work that robbed them Of the residue.
No doubt, as is often said, it is not
work but worry that does the mischief.
But worry is the daughter of over
work; 1t is having too little time to
be patient that gives the feeling of
worry; it is having the nerves so
stretched that the slightest opposition
frets them. When celebrated editor
complained Of being
over-Croker'd, over-Murray'd
the first word of his lamentation ex-
planned all the rest. Undoubtedly,
then, over-work while means to
good, is itself an evil. A distinguished
man Of our acquaintance used to say
that the most desirable condition Of
life was to have just somewhat more
to do than you could possibly accom-
plish. Not far too much, for that
would crush you; but enough to check
the tendency to laziness, enough to
supply perpetual spur. The evil is
that it is difficult to realize this happy
condition.; men who are able to dc
much are usually pressed to do far toe
much; and the warning which sc
often comes in the form of paralysis
or Of heart-disease, comes too late to
admit of remedy.
1t must be accepted, we apprehend
as the true state Of things that while
there are evils inseparable from high
pressure and overwork, the best that {
strong man is capable Of cannot be
done without them. Let us observe
for example, how careful an over
worked man is to make the most Of
his time. What an early riser he be.
comes! Can anything make a mar
start from the luxury of a half-waking
half-sleeping state in bed like the con.
viction that If he is not at work at ;
given minute the whole business O.
the day will be thrown into arrear an(
inevitable confusion? Dickens has {
character somewhere who says he al
ways goes to bed with regret ant
rises with disgust. The pressure o.
work removes both the regret and tn,
disgust. for at bedtime bed is wei
come to the busy worker, while in tn,
morning it is thief and robber
How much more rapidly one run'
through the newspaper when there is
but ten minutes for it; or how mucl
more quickly one transacts business
or makes inquiries, or goes through
friendly greetings, when dozens are
waiting in the anteroom, let doctors
and lawyers say. Don't go to me1
of leisure when you want anything
done-go to busy men," was sayins
of the late George Moore's, of Bow
Churchyard, himself busy man, tn,
architect Of a colossal business, an(
yet able to carry on his shoulders tn,
interests of innumerable charities. II
the United States they have a rule il
some of their conventions that speak
ers shall not occupy more than twt
minutes. 1t seems to many as if
speaker would need that time at leas
to clear his throat; and yet it is won
derful what can be said in two min
utes when neither love nor money cal
exc out the allowance.
Besides saving time, the pressure O
work makes the mental machinery g
faster The mind comes under an ex
citement which quickens all it's pro
cesses. The steam gets up, and tn
piston flies through the cylinder lik
lightning. Pieces Of work have beer
done in these moods that would not
or could not have been done unde
more still and quiet conditions. [
st. Paul had not led so busy life, hi
eplstles would have borne diferen
character. They would not have tn
stimulating power they have. TIL,
rush and rapidity Of the apostle
mind communicates itself to his read
ers. The same thing is true, in ;
sense, of the speeches Of most grea
orators. Such things could not bt
produced in cold blood. Men must b,
on wings to do them. If the rookie
were not discharged in a sort of fran
tic excitement, it would not describe
the beautiful curve which it traces. [
is certain that the leisure which busy
men so naturally crave would greatly
restrict and impair many of then
greatest efforts Their work might
indeed be done with more finish ant
beauty of detail, but it would have fal
less Of the living and quickenine
power to which, very probably, it:
chief value is due. No doubt, if sober
thought be the chief thing needed il
a piece of work, the slower it is done
the better; a Judge must be deliberate
and solemn, and slow; but if the pur.
pose be to illuminate, to quicken, tc
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