making trade failed, Simon found more leisure for his literary pursuits, and entertained a growing conviction that he was fitted for something higher than the drudgery of shoemaking, and that it was a shame for such talents as his to be buried. Simon's wife was a thrifty, industrious, and intelligent woman; and perceiving that the support of the family became more and more dependent on her, she endeavoured to obtain employment in needlework, and also opened a little school for children. In her praiseworthy efforts, Mrs. Smith verified the saying, "Strive and thrive." She performed her work with neatness and punctuality; and gave great satisfaction to the parents, by her management of the little ones committed to her care. She got on beyond her expectation; still it was hard for the support of the family to rest almost entirely on the labour of the mother; and Simon was urged to make some effort to assist her. "What can I do?" was his indolent reply, "I have not money to buy a new stock." It was suggested to him to apply for work at the large shops. He evidently did not like the idea of doing this, after having been a master; but perhaps fearing that the objection, dictated by pride, would not be sympathized in by those who considered honest labour, however humble, far more honourable than indolent dependence, he said he did not think he could get work at present, not being a busy time; it was of no use to try.

However, a busy time came; the great shoemaker in the next town had a large government order, and being really pressed for hands, applied to Simon with an offer of constant employ on advantageous terms. It seemed just the thing for

him, and for a little time he was quite pleased with it. There was not the trouble of accommodating his work to the particular foot of every individual customer; but so many dozen pairs were to be made on such a last, or to such a number, and so many dozens to such a one. But Simon soon got tired of constant work; he wanted more time "to cultivate his poetical talent;" he found out that it was impossible to please his master, it was of no use to try; and again he threw himself upon the resources of his industrious wife. A friend of my uncle's was about to establish a school, both for children and adults, to be taught at different hours. He was desirous of obtaining a suitable master and mistress to carry out his plans, and applied to my uncle for his advice and recommendation. My uncle replied, that he knew a very worthy woman, every way suitable for the female department; and he hoped that, with a little instruction, her husband also might be found competent for the other. So desirous was he of rendering them efficient instruments in carrying out his friend's scheme of benevolence, and also of enabling them to avail themselves of so good an opening for the support of their family, that he offered to join his friend in bearing the expense of their being sent to London for proper instruction. The matter was proposed to the parties, and joyfully accepted. Mrs. Smith set herself with spirit, industry, and perseverance to improve the instructions afforded her, and qualify herself for the post contemplated. But, alas! her endeavours were rendered unavailing, and her hopes thwarted, by the perverseness, indolence, and self-conceit of her husband. He could not, at his age, become a learner of new

systems; but felt sure that he had great abilities for teaching, and, let him but pursue his own way, he knew he could do well; but to conform to the rules and methods of the institution in which he was placed, he could not do it, and it was of no use to try.

"It is of no use," said my uncle, "to try to help those who will not try to help themselves; I am sorry, very sorry, for the sake of the deserving woman, that this well-intended effort should have proved a failure; but I have quite done with endeavouring to find situations for a man who will not exert himself to fill them. He must suffer for his own folly; and if he suffered alone, it could scarcely be matter of regret." Simon's wife returned to her former employment, and often expressed thankfulness for the great advantages she had derived from her three months' tuition in London. Her husband, as long as I knew him, continued to depend on her for his support, and satisfied himself with forming schemes, or going here and there to inquire after openings for the exercise of his talents and the maintenance of his family.

So

"It is of no use to try, the case is altogether hopeless, it is but spending labour in vain." said one after another of the neighbours, who had run together on an alarm being given that a youth had fallen into the river. At first, all were eager enough to assist in getting him out. In fact they ran against one another in their eagerness to be nearest to the spot, and to get the first sight when the body was brought out of the water. But when curiosity was gratified, the spectators dropped off; they soon got tired of rubbing. One of the surgeons

was called away to a patient; the other looked at his watch, said he had an appointment, and that he really considered all further efforts useless. He had never known an instance of re

covery after so long a submersion as in the present instance. His young man, however, might stay and try a little longer, for the satisfaction of the family, and that of my uncle, who appeared deeply interested in the case. "I have read," said my uncle, "in the Humane Society's Report, of success after four, and even six hours' labour, apparently in vain ; and I am resolved not to give up this case without persevering, for at least that length of time. I hope a few will stay to assist, but if not, I will do what I can alone.' My uncle's determination seemed to animate afresh the young surgeon, who had begun to flag in consequence of the dispiriting remarks of his master; and two or three stout men said they were willing to stay as long as his honour pleased, and to do any thing that he wished them to do, though for their parts they were "certain sure "that the poor lad would never revive. Their efforts had not been continued up to the shortest time which my uncle had named, when a slight indication of returning animation stimulated them afresh to persevere; and before the more distant period had arrived, (six hours,) their efforts were crowned with complete success. 'Well, sir," said the young surgeon, as he shook hands with my uncle at parting, "this result is altogether beyond my expectation; I have to thank you for a valuable professional lesson, which I hope never to forget." That individual is not now a young man; and, in cases similar to that just referred to, he has been peculiarly favoured in the

enjoyment of success, as the result of persevering effort.

or

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“'Tis of no use to try; the excellence of my pattern renders success in attempting to imitate it altogether hopeless; it is impossible for me to follow the example of Away with your false humility," said my uncle; "try, try, again and again: he is more likely to shoot high who aims at the moon, than he who only aims at a jackdaw in the hedge. If you really wish to attain excellence, it is not impossible to you, any more than to any other finite and fallible being; but if you indolently resolve to rest satisfied with any thing short of excellence, you may depend upon stopping very far short of reaching it. In moral excellence, no man ever yet reached higher than he aimed; and no man was ever justly discouraged in the pursuit of excellence, which he sincerely desired to attain."

"My temper is naturally hasty and passionate: I really cannot help it. If I resolve against it ever so, it takes me unawares, and I cannot resist it; it is of no use to try.' "Yes, I must admit that the habit to which you allude is objectionable and dangerous; but I have been so long accustomed to it, and it has gained such an ascendency over me, that it is next to impossible for me to break it off. I have made several attempts, but it only takes the stronger hold of me for any occasional resistance, and I really think it is of no use to try." "Ah," said my uncle, "when I was a boy, there lived in the village a man, named Joe Sharp, who was so fond of fruit, that it was said of him he could not pass a tree loaded with ripe apples or plums, but he must climb it and get a

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