Page images
PDF
EPUB

What is to be, will be.' Or again: 'It must
take its chance.' In these cases, we are afraid
the chances are very much against success.
To be successful, nothing should daunt us. If
we persevere, determined to succeed, we shall
be continually finding help and assistance where
we least expect it. When all our efforts fail,
and we are sunk to the very brink of despair,
Providence steps in, and bids us hope again.
Perhaps we can make our meaning more appa-
rent by an illustration. A young man who had
adopted literature as a profession, was walking
sadly along the streets of Paris, determined to
rid himself of his life. Through great privations
and hardships had he struggled and persevered,
but without avail; success would not attend
him, and he had determined to die. As he
slowly and sadly pursued his way to the river-
side, rain began to fall, and unconsciously he
paused beneath a portico until it should cease.
Standing by his side, was another, who likewise
sought shelter from the storm. As they waited
silently together, a portion of the brickwork
above them gave way, and the companion of the
would-be suicide was struck dead. The magni-
tude of his contemplated crime came forcibly
before the young man's mind, as he saw how
wonderfully the hand of Providence had pre-
served him. Accepting it both as a warning
and an encouragement, he started home with
renewed vigour and a fresh determination to
succeed. He is now one of the greatest of
French dramatists.

for neglecting, were they not compelled by interest or necessity to find the time to do it.

Again, there are men who start in life with every chance of success; surrounded by able and willing friends, with all possible advantages to insure their success, who yet remain in the position they were first placed in; or more frequently, letting slip all the precious advantages they have possessed, eventually become objects of charity-pursued to this end, as they would say, by their evil destiny. And all this without any outward or perceptible fault. There are no signs of substance wasted in riotous living, nor any apparent neglect of business. This, when first looked at, appears very mysterious; but when considered for a moment, it becomes apparent that here there has been no aptitude for seizing the favours of Fortune, no valuation of precious moments, but an easy and fatal faith that all must be well with them.

Another great secret of success is confidence in our own powers; for if we do not believe in ourselves, how can we possibly expect that others will believe in us! A man may have every attribute for success, and yet remain 'a nobody' for life, for want of confidence in his own powers-an over-diffidence, standing silently in the background, when he should come forward to be seen and heard. Such a one will find his want of confidence increased as time passes, until at length there will be such a wide chasm between him and his fellows, that he will find it impossible to cross.

'Waste not, want not,' is an old maxim we will touch lightly upon; not that we think it of least importance. On the contrary, we believe it is one of the most important things of life that we should use carefully the gifts Providence has so bountifully bestowed. There is no greater sin than for a man wilfully to waste his substance, as what is unnecessary for his own existence might prove life to others. Bishop Beveridge made such a good rule for his own guidance in these matters, that we may safely term it one of the secrets we are seeking. He determined never to spend a penny where it could be better spared, nor to spare it where it could be better spent.' There is no parsimonious spirit shown here; it is simply a practical spending or saving as is really required, and should be well borne in mind by all.

We will give another illustration, to show how important it is that we should watch for and seize upon small opportunities, without waiting for the time that shall require a mighty effort-a time that may never come. A young man had travelled on foot many weary miles to reach a free college. Arriving at his destination, he told his story, and asked for admittance. But the place was already full. Not liking to tell him plainly in words, the superior filled a glass so full of water that not another drop could be added, and silently held it towards the young man. He understood the sign too well, and turned sadly away. But a moment afterwards his face cleared, and stooping, he picked up a withered leaf; this he carried back, and placed on the surface of the water. The incident was his salvation; for he was at once admitted into the institution. We are here taught that nothing, however formidable it may appear, should daunt us in our way through life; for of a surety, man's extremity is God's opportunity. Another secret of success is a proper appreciation of the value of time. Samuel Johnson tells 3: He that hopes to look back hereafter with satisfaction upon past years, must learn to know the present value of single moments, and endeaYour to let no particle of time fall useless to the ground. A learned gentleman who had to wait at a railway station for a train was heard to exclaim: Ten minutes lost for ever!' Here one of the greatest secrets, we had almost said the secret of success. Time waits for no man ; There is much truth in the observation that therefore should we seize upon every moment men are what women make them. Although for profit. Often, whilst contemplating an action, a man need not be subject in any slavish sense men will say: 'I must do this, or that, when I have time; but the time never comes, unless they are determined to find it; for there is nothing in life that men could not find an excuse

is

Another great secret of success is the choice of a good wife. Lord Burleigh, in his advice to his son, amongst other things said: Use great circumspection in choosing thy wife, for from thence will spring all good or evil; and it is an action of life like unto a stratagem of war, wherein a man can err but once. Inquire diligently of her disposition, and how her parents have been inclined in their youth-neither make choice of a fool; for she will be thy continual disgrace; for then shalt thou find it to thy great grief that nothing is more fulsome than a shefool.'

to his wife, still he is not unlikely to be influenced by her in some way or other; and fortunate indeed is he who obtains the help meet for him—a loving, careful partner, full of sympathy

[blocks in formation]

After all these elements of success, we are still doubtful if the real secret has yet been mentioned. Izaak Walton says: 'Let me tell you, there be many that have forty times our estate, that would give the greatest part of it to be healthful and cheerful like us. I have a rich neighbour who is always so busy that he has no leisure to laugh. The whole business of his life is to get money and more money, that he may still get more and more money. He is still drudging on, and says that Solomon says, "The diligent hand maketh rich;" and it is true indeed; but he considers not that it is not necessarily in the power of riches to make a man happy; for it was wisely said by a man of great observation, that there be as many miseries beyond riches as on this side them.' And in another place he tells us: 'My advice is, that you be honestly rich, or contentedly poor; but be sure your riches be justly got, or you spoil all; for it is well said: He that loses his conscience has nothing left that is worth keeping.'

assumed name of the conductor of the 'Children's Corner' in the paper mentioned.

Shortly previous to the arrival of the above, a communication addressed as under reached the same office :

To Newcastle I want to go;

And, now Post-office dearies,
You'll hand me gently, I trow,

To Editor of 'Notes and Queries.'
Some curious examples were published in the
Chromolithograph in 1868; these among others:

'Mr

'E.

Travelling Band, one of the Four playing in the street, Persha [Pershore], Worcestshire. Please to find him if possible.' R, a cook as lived tempery with a Mrs Lor some such name, a shoemaker in Castle Street, about No. Hobern, in 1851. Try to make this out. She is a Welsh person about 5 feet 1 stoutish. Lives in service some ware in London or nabourede London.'

"This is for her that maks dresses for ladies, that livs at tother side of rode to James Brocklip, Edensover, Chesterfield.'

"This is for the young girl that wears spectacles, who minds two babies. 30 Sherif Street, off Prince Edward Street, Liverpool.'

These beautifully expressed sentiments of the learned philosopher lead us to ask: Is the true success of life to be gained or looked for in position? Can the man who has successfully traversed the distance between poverty and The wag who sent an epistle to The biggest riches, who has risen from obscurity to fame, fool in the world, Tunbridge,' had little thought, be counted successful? We think not, if he lack we may be sure, that it would thus be endorsed: that greatest of all earthly blessings, Content-The Postmaster of Tunbridge cannot decide to ment. While it is the duty of every one to whom he should deliver this, as he does not know endeavour to earn an honest independence, those the writer.' who fail to achieve riches may still apply to themselves the saying of Richard Lucas, that 'a man may be virtuous though not wealthy; and that that fortune which prevents him from being rich cannot prevent him from being happy.'

SOME CURIOUS SUPERSCRIPTIONS. Nor the least interesting of the many postal curiosities to which the newspapers from time to time give publicity, are those relating to addresses on letters; and it occurred to the present writer, after reading the pleasantly written article on Curious Epistles in a recent number of this Journal, that possibly a few selections from his collection of curious superscriptions might interest the reader.

While performing at Bolton in September 1802, Hay, the comedian, received a letter from Charles Dibdin, which bore the following address:

Postman, take this sheet away,

And carry it to Mr Hay;

And whether you ride mare or colt on,
Stop at the Theatre, Bolton;

If in what county you inquire,

Merely mention Lancashire.

A letter bearing the following address was received at the office of the Newcastle Weekly Chronicle, in February 1880:

To Uncle Toby this missive is sent,
And I'm sure the penny is very well spent.
The weekly newspaper, the Chronicle named,
Is in Newcastle and through England famed.
Mr Editor this to mine uncle will give,
And I heartily hope that both may long live.

'Uncle Toby,' it may be well to explain, is the

It is related in an old almanac that at the end of last century a gentleman wrote a letter to a lady of rank in London, addressed thus: "To the 25th of March, Foley Place, London.' It was delivered in due course at the residence of Lady Day. A glance at the calendar will show that Lady-Day is celebrated on the 25th March.

Two or three years ago, a gentleman at Ayr received a letter the envelope of which had these lines:

Awa tae auld Scotland, and speer for John Graeme,
It's a wide direction, but a weel kent name,
In the New Town o' Ayr, at the auld Brig-en';
He sells a drap whusky-but the postman will ken-
And if ye should fin' him, as I've nae doot you will,
I'm certain he 'll no grudge the postman a gill.

An old 'postie,' of Chepstow, Monmouthshire, informs us that he once delivered a letter with this address:

Postman, my hearty,

Use the uttermost dispatch
In taking this letter

To the Inn Bonny Thatch.

John Kitchen the Landlord
A fine old English Host,
Good Cheer was his motto,
Good Ale was his boast.

On Tutshill, near Chepstow,
On the banks of the Wye,
You will find it with ease,
So, old fellow, good-bye.

We are further informed that an epistle having the following duly reached its destination :

Postman, this missive which I send,
Is for a tried and valued friend;

From England's shores to Ireland's nation-
Mark well the place of destination.
The name is Bird, you'll find the pair,
And young ones, too, in Mountjoy Square,
The number, seven, all snug and neat.
You'll find the nest in Emmett's Street.
So now to Dublin haste away,
And find the Birds without delay;
They'll clap their wings, and sweetly smile
A welcome to the Emerald Isle.

About the year 1850, a Mr Carver was the recipient of a communication from Nottinghamshire bearing these lines. They were published in the Leeds Mercury at the time:

I request, Mr Postman, this letter you'll send To George Carver, my brother, a trusty old friend; He makes bricks and tiles without straw or stubble, Free from Egyptian bondage, tho' not without trouble. At Denton, near Otley, in Yorkshire, you'll find him; The postage is paid, you have no cause to mind him. One other example, and that the latest that has come under our notice. In June last, the following amusing address on an envelope passed through the Lochee post-office :

Wake up! my bauld Postie o' Bonnie Dundee,
Gather up your auld traps an' mak' aff for Lochee,
By Camperdown Wood an' by Gourdie's stey brae;
Nor linger at Mackie's dram-shop by the way.
Like a flash o' greased lightnin' leave Fowlis far behind,
But at Bell's o' Muirloch you may stop to tak' wind;
Gif the maister's at hame, gie him this like a brick,
And, till I come doon, I'se be awn ye a 'sic.'

A MODEL ESTABLISHMENT. Is Seymour Street, adjoining Euston Station, London, there are two large buildings where aut fifteen hundred pens are kept busily employed from nine to five o'clock-with but an interval of half an hour for dinner-every working day except Saturday, when they cease at one. This is the Railway Clearing House. Few outsiders are aware of the importance of this office to the railway service. It is really an association instituted to enable railway Companies in England and Scotland to carry on without interruption the through-traffic in passengers, animals, minerals, and goods passing over different lines of railways, and to afford to the traffic the same facilities as if the different lines had belonged to one Company. It constitutes an impartial syndicate that decides all ordinary disputes between contending Companies. It is regulated by Act of Parliament, and is conducted by a Committee appointed by the directors of the Companies who are parties to it-each Company being represented by a delegate, and ten delegates forming a quorum. They hold at least four stated meetings in the year, when the accounts of the clearing system and the balances due to and from the several Companies are settled and adjusted, the decision of the Committee on any disputed question being final.

Nor is this all. When traffic of any kind passes over two or more different lines, the receipts are divided and allocated by the Clearing House according to the number of miles belonging to each Company over which it has passed. There are fixed charges called Terminals allowed to the receiving and delivering Companies. To the novice, this may seem exceedingly simple; however, it is far from being so. Perhaps railway A

is allowed a toll of so much per ton; B gets a fraction as per agreement; C's tunnel of half a mile is entitled to a share of three miles of ordinary line; D receives a special rate in virtue of his viaduct; E is the joint property of A, B, C, and D; F has so much extra distance by virtue of what is termed running powers-that is, he has the right of running over a portion of another's line; while G perhaps claims something special, but has not yet had his claim conceded, the amount of which must be deducted, and kept in suspense till the claim is settled by the Committee appointed to dispose of such matters.

At every

The work of the Clearing House is so complex that it could only be accomplished by a division of labour. For this reason, it is divided into 'departments,' such as Goods, Live Stock, Passengers, Parcels, Mileage, and Time. Except the last two, the names of these explain themselves. The Mileage deals with carriages and trucks, each of which is traced by its own number. junction where one line joins another Company's, the Clearing House has a number-taker' stationed, whose business is to take the numbers of each carriage and truck and forward them to London. Here they are duly posted up, and a careful account kept of the number of days they have been absent, so that the Company which has caused the detention may pay accordingly. But for this system, carriages would often go amissing. As matters are conducted by the Clearing House, there can be no dispute between parties. The Time department keeps an account of the time expended upon work. The office expenses are divided; and Companies pay for clearing according to their receipts and the number of items comprising them. It should be mentioned that in the Goods department, sums under five shillings are not divided in the usual way. The clearing of such small sums in the ordinary way would be too expensive. After the Terminals are deducted, the remainder is thrown into what is called the Light Traffic Fund, and divided at the half-year's end in proportion to the heavy traffic of the Companies interested. The other accounts are almost all monthly, and must be correct to a penny. Even a small discrepancy at the last moment would be sufficient to detain every clerk in the department till found.

It must be evident that only under the strictest discipline could such an establishment be carried on. On entering in the morning, the first thing each clerk does is to sign his name in a book. This book is removed at two minutes past nine, and every name not found there declared late. Of course there is a book for every room. Anybody absenting himself from the office without leave, whether from illness or any other cause, may expect a visit from a doctor during the day. His business is not to give professional advice, but merely to report in the interest of the office. To such as choose to avail themselves of it, there is a Medical Club, with a doctor to attend subscribers. The 'lates' tell when holidays come round. A few lates mean a few holidays lost; whereas if there are none, and no errors registered against him, the clerk is entitled to a day or two more than the usual fortnight. Dinner and tea can be had on the premises. The dining-room is capable of seating

some hundred diners; while the culinary department is capable of providing for a like number. As the premises and coals are provided free, a dinner can be had much cheaper than outside.

In connection with the establishment there is a co-operative society, known as the Clearing House Supply Association, which by judicious management has proved to be a success. Grocery, provision, and a large assortment of other kinds of goods can be bought at a trifle over cost price. To prevent peculation, neither storekeepers nor Dining Club servants are allowed to receive money. There are agents appointed throughout the office, who, for a trifling commission, examine the bills, receipt them and take cash. Tradesmen advertise in the price list, offering furniture and other articles which it would be inexpedient to keep in stock, at a reduction of so much per cent., ranging from five to twenty-five. Almost anything of domestic utility can be had in this way; and so can clothes, books, and jewellery.

Promotion usually goes by seniority, if the clerk, tested by examination, proves himself competent to hold a more responsible position. These examinations vary according to the different grades. The clerk must be over a stated age, or longer than two years in the service, before he can apply to be examined, or at least expect the benefits due to a successful examination. Before entering the service, candidates are put to a pretty severe test as to general abilities, though figures are the speciality. The ulterior examinations are confined to a knowledge of the different lines, and the ten thousand and one regulations and agreements that keep all the Companies of England and Scotland working harmoniously together.

There is an Athletic Club, a Chess Club, and a Dramatic Society. Singing is encouraged by occasional concerts, that supply an evening's healthy recreation, especially in winter, when outdoor exercise is attended with many inconveniences. The most flourishing institution of this kind, however, is the Literary Society, connected with which there is a valuable Library of several thousand approved volumes. The principal daily and weekly newspapers are taken, as well as the higher-class monthly magazines. At one time a clerk held the post of librarian, and gave the books out after office hours; but of late years the Library employs a man wholly. From time to time the Office Committee votes handsome sums for new books; and this, with the readers' subscriptions, keeps the Library stocked with the best and latest productions of the printing-press. The Readingroom is kept open till ten at night.

A few years ago, in conjunction with some of the Companies, a Superannuation Fund was started, on very liberal terms to the employés, who only pay one half of the subscription, the employers paying the other half. This arrangement, as may be supposed, was heartily received by those whom it was intended to benefit. There is also a Contingent Fund, supported by a small subscription, which in case of illness gives assistance for a period of three years.

In such a vast establishment, to apportion the work so that every part of the machine may

have enough to do, while no part is strained to the point of collapse, is a task requiring a considerable amount of discrimination. This falls to an official who is termed the head of a division, and who has from thirty to twice that number of men under him. In most departments, the clerks work in couples, one being an accountman,' who has charge of the work. It is his duty to attend to all matters of a perplexing nature, while the assistant is kept at what is straightforward. The duties of each are 80 clearly defined, that shirking is all but impossible. The lazy man, who cannot manage to do his work during office hours, must come back at night to make up lost time. Every month's work must be completed at the appointed day. Strange as this may seem, the process of dividing various sums is mostly done by mechanical means. A circular piece of cardboard moves within a rim of the same material, on a pivot. On both sides of the circle thus formed, there are figures, arranged to a mathematical scale. The movable circle has a cross-bar, which serves the purpose of a handle. Now, say we wish to divide L.1000 by 100 in the proportions of 60, 30, and 10. It can be done in a moment by turning the handle till 100 on the inside scale is opposite 1000 on the outside. Opposite 60, 30, and 10, the answers are found in decimals. Some of the clerks are ingenious and dexterous enough to make these 'wheels,' as they are called, for themselves.

The management of the whole establishment devolves upon the Secretary, a gentleman of such wide sympathies and kindly manner, that the Committee were fortunate in having obtained the services of one who has now served their interests long and faithfully. Possessed of rare administrative abilities, he is also gifted with the peculiar power of impressing his own individuality upon subordinates; and this contributes in no small degree to the good feeling and concord which reign throughout the office.

SERENADE.

DONE is the summer's day, Faded the sun's last ray, Silent each singing bird; Vespers are sung and said, And, as my path I tread, Never a sound is heard.

Under the moon's full light-
Holy, and calm, and bright-
Gaze I with loving eyes,
Up to the castle tower;
Where, like a sleeping flower,
Sweetly my lady lies.

Moon, with thy virgin beams, Silver my lady's dreams, Silver her dreams to-night; Thou art the lovers' friend, Watch over and defend

My love till morning light.

M. M.

Printed and Published by W. & R. CHAMBERS, 47 Paternoster Row, LONDON, and 339 High Street, EDINBURGH.

All Rights Reserved.

[ocr errors]

POPULAR

LITERATURE, SCIENCE, AND ART.
Fourth Series

CONDUCTED BY WILLIAM AND ROBERT CHAMBERS.

No. 959.-VOL. XIX.

FASHION.

SATURDAY, MAY 13, 1882.

PRICE 13d

ments that follow late, or rather early hours spent in heated ballrooms; the necessity for pure air, and like topics, have been over and over again expounded by the ablest of our physiological teachers. And yet, the results of the spread of health-knowledge have been anything but encouraging. For the tight waists and the high heels are still extant; and life is not regulated, either in the upper classes or amongst the middle and lower classes, with greater skill, or with a

Hence, we repeat, it is with peculiar satisfaction that we find that ladies themselves are entering the lists as champions of an improved hygiene. The main hope of reform lies in the idea that the wives and daughters of this and other generations will educate themselves in the knowledge of the laws of health, and that they will thus become enabled, practically and sensibly, to know these laws, and to abide by them.

Ar last there appears to be some reasonable hope that the teachings and warnings of physiologists and physicians to the female sex are beginning to bear fruit. There exist signs and symptoms that internal reform in the matter of fashionable follies is at length being inaugurated. The interest taken in the lectures that have been given by Mr Treves, F.R.C.S., at South Kensington, and that evinced in the exhibition of 'hygienic' cloth-larger modicum of common-sense than before. ing, would seem to forebode a hopeful era of reform. The very nature of the subject in question indicates that until the ladies themselves are led to adopt the initiative in inducing hygienic changes in raiment, the efforts of the entire medical faculty will be simply unavailing to correct the grievous errors of dress so prevalent in our day and generation. M. Worth, for instance, is far more powerful, as things are, than the College of Physicians; and the fiats of a fashionable bootmaker or corset manufacturer are supreme, when compared with the expostulations of the physiologist. The hopelessness of the fight against fashion has of course long been recognised. If, therefore, the health-reformers succeed in enlisting the votaries of fashion on their side, we may not require to look in vain for very sweeping dress-reforms, and for a return, if not to a simpler, at least to a healthier style of clothing.

new.

The truths, palatable or the reverse, that have been expounded by Mr Treves, are anything but For years past, every school manual of physiology has taught, directly or indirectly, that to compress and to contract the chest is a process productive of worse evils than can be mentioned either in such a text-book or in a public lecture. The senseless practices still in vogue in the construction of our boots and shoes, and the exceeding injury wrought to the instep-arch by high heels, have formed prominent topics in every health-lecture wherein social customs and ordinary habits have been treated. Follies of eating and drinking; the lassitude and ail

The exhibition of hygienic clothing was interesting from more than one point of view. It served to show, for instance, that in the higher education of women the more mundane concerns of dress and attire had not been neglected; since the undergraduates of Newnham and Girton contributed to the exhibition, corsets designed to afford support to the body and at the same time to avoid all undue compression. The exhibition in question also contained exhibits designed to show what could be done to render the ordinary corset a hygienic article of attire; and there was to be seen even a 'hygienic doll,' intended, presumably, for the instruction and edification of the young idea in the art of dressing sensibly. Boots constructed on 'anatomical' principles were likewise on view, and even stockings of improved make were included in the list of exhibits. It would therefore appear that tradesmen and others are at least as willing and able to enlist themselves on the side of physiology, as they are at present compelled to serve the follies of fashion.

But it is evident that beneath the whole question of reform in dress lie the almost

« PreviousContinue »