The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1916-04-13
=. LIB RARY REFS
By Mr.. c. R. S.

Hints on Success in Life" by William Mathews L.
L. S. D. We have copy in the library-call number
3l33 This book deals many Subjects one of which
is Economy of Tme,' We quote a portion of this
chapter.
Old fashioned economists" says the eloquent
Writ. will tell you pass old na or
old horseshoe, or buckle, pin, without TAX
ing it up; because, although you may not it
now. you will find use for it time other
l say the thing to you with regard to know
ledge. However useless it may appear to you at the
moment seize upon all that is fairly within your
reach For there is not fact within the whole cir
Gle of human observation, even fugitive anec-
dote that you read in newspaper, that will not
come into play at time other; and occasions
will arise when they involuntariy present their dim
shadows in the train OF your thinking and reasoning
belonging that train, and you will regret that
you cannot recall them more distinctly.
While thus urge upon the young who
is beginning life the necessity of economzing his
time, let us not be misunderstood. We advise no
such saving Of time as will rob him of necessary rec
reation sleep. Nor do regard every moment
in which is seemingly idle really wasted.
Especially this true of intellectual pursuits There
are some writer's who appear to think that every
malice prepense and aforethougbt' some set task
when the mind is left to itself instead of doing
pulsory work lis misspent. John Wesley took this
view of life and therefore, might be expected,
denounced all stop-gaps in passing ones time.
Never be unemployed" says he never be triiing-
ly employed, never while away time" All this looks
very plausible and the last advise just what might
have been expected from of whom DR.. johnson
has left this opinion; John Wesley's conversation is
good, but he is leisure. He is always oblig
ed to 90 at certain hour. This is very dlsagreeabe
to who loves fold his legs and have out his
talk as do Again, that great naval hero and
ing man, Lord Collingwood, gives the same advice,
touching the education of his daughter The should
not only read, but it requires careful selection
of books nor should they ever have access to two
at the same time; but when subject is begun, it
should be finished before any thing else is under
taken 'Ths looks even more plausible; but all his
tory and all experience refute the doctrine. The
cat at Preside refutes it, for she got tired of
lying in the same corner, cOZy and snug and warm
tho it was, and so went to the opposite, tho
no whit agreeable, because she wanted
a change. Read on but one subject at a time AS
we'll might one eat but one thing at time Must
one devour an entire OK before he is allowed to
change his diet? Such dietetics can end only in
physical or mental scrofula.
But what is Willing away timei When
man is roaming about his library taking down this
book and then that pacing the floor, scribbling
on bit of paper, gancng at magazine news
paper, whistling tune, musing by the window,
looking into the fire, or when he is sauntering in
the woods and listening to the melody of the birds,
or lolling under an old oak and drinking in the
music of babbling brOok,-is he, though SEEM
ingly idle, necessarily Willing away time?' By
no means. When there is vigorous, seepess.
inquiring mind, idleness is impossible. There is
no hour of the day when the brain is not at work
When not browsing in book it is Illuminating;
when not gathering the raw material of knowledge,
it is celebrating that which has been gathered
The mind, if it is not mere plodding, mechanical
mind, is capricous in it's workings, and will not be
tyrannized over. Its methods are Statutory and
impulsive 1t thrives by casualties; it is power
full obliquey, and not by direct stroke. 1t loves
dearly to assert its independence and will be con-
suited as to whether it will do this or that. 1t is
not mere machine, and cannot be used as though
it one. 1t must often gang it's ain gait
and sometimes must be left alone, even when it
stoops to trifes. Many of Its processes 60 on un-
hidden, without control. In it's very high
est efforts it abhors task work. and utterly refuses
to be drudge. The happiest thoughts, the most
brilliant fances the aptest similitudes are these
sudden Examinations, those flashes, which come to
in the hours of relaxation, of play, when we
throw the reins upon the neck of our winged steed
and let it roam where it will