and fine linen might be spared without any other human being losing an item of comfort or enjoyment.

But this mistaken feeling of superiority is not confined to any one class, but, more or less, is found to be prevalent in all; though the superiority is generally found to consist in some extra means of procuring the externals of respectability, without reference to the inward man, or his worth or usefulness in society.

Erroneous notions also in other respects prevail among us regarding different kinds of labor. Too many among the working classes are apt to undervalue mental labor; while many of those engaged in mental pursuits, are often found speaking lightly of those they designate "mere mechanics and laborers."

Now when it is considered how much mental exertion, care and anxiety are required to originate and conduct the different operations of labor; to preserve order and security in society, and to contribute to our mental and moral necessities, it is evidently unjust for us to undervalue or to speak lightly of them.

And when the untiring industry and daily exertions of the millions are considered, (apart from the skill and knowledge necessary for conducting their different avocations) and when we reflect that their labor is indispensable to our happiness, we should rather be impressed with the moral duty of aiding in their social and political improvement, than in retarding it by our sneers and ridicule.

Regarding the best mode of becoming proficient or skilful, in the trade or occupation we may have chosen, we should do well to remember that the best instruction of others will be fruitless, unless accompanied with our own application and diligence.

The most competent and skilful of masters will fail in making an inattentive pupil clever, or a pair of idle

hands skilful. The most he can do is to direct our efforts, and to endeavor to awaken us to a sense of duty; but the storing of our own heads, and the training of our own hands must be our own work.

Proper attention, therefore, to the instructions given us; the careful exercise of thought respecting the work we have to do; the cultivation of our observing powers regarding the best plans and readiest methods of superior workmen ; together with respectful behaviour to all around us, will be found the best means we can adopt for enabling us to master the first difficulties in our trade or occupation.

Our efficiency, as workmen, will also be increased if, in addition to our mere manual dexterity, we endeavour to understand what may be called the scientific groundwork of our business. In many occupations we shall find it highly essential to possess some knowledge of science, in others some acquirement in art; but in most pursuits a knowledge of the nature, locality and extent of the material used, and of the commodity produced or exchanged, will be found to be indispensible.

It is true we may manage to become indifferent workmen without such knowledge; but rarely to be proficient and successful in our calling. We shall find that very many of our mistakes will be avoided, and much valuable time and materials saved, if we acquire knowledge to work by rule instead of by rote, and to know by the facts of science, instead of groping our way, ever paying for, but never profiting by experience.

But, to impress us still more forcibly with the importance of acquiring some useful occupation, it may be necessary to glance at the general condition of those who have been brought up without some certain means of earning their bread. Some of them through the neglect and wasteful habits of their parents, and others from the

silly notion that there is more "respectability" in a life of idleness than usefulness.

The condition of the first may be likened to ships drifted on the ocean without sails, compass, or rudder; for if they haply escape the rocks of temptation that surround them, they are found to be driven about from one uncertainty to another, their best lot being to become mere "hewers of wood and drawers of water."

And little superior is the condition of great numbers of those who have been reared in comfort and affluence, who have been denied a useful occupation through mistaken notions of friends, because they happened to possess what they conceived to be the means of "comfortable independence for them." Those persons forgetting that the habits of idleness in which their charge had been reared prove the surest means of dissipating their independence; and that wasted, temptations and pride, often goad them to destruction; or, escaping that, they are frequently found driven from one miserable expedient to another to maintain appearances, or to secure means for preserving a wretched existence.

Nor must it be forgotten that our records of pauperism and crime abound with facts, warning us of the folly of bringing up our children in idleness; facts teaching us that thousands live vilely and die criminally for the want of a useful occupation, and that both living and dying they prove a burthen to the industrious portion of our population.

Therefore in this age of improvement and progress, the man destitute of some means, either physical, mental or moral, for advancing the general welfare is at best but a human cypher, and as we frequently perceive, too often proves himself a moral pest.

INDIVIDUAL DUTIES.

ON STEADY

INDUSTRIAL LABOR.

FOR man to labour in this world is not only a necessary condition for the preservation of his health, but generally speaking, for preserving his existence; although the amount of labor required may greatly depend on the particular spot on the earth's surface on which he is placed.

The luxuriance and fertility of a tropical climate, where the yield of food-plants is so abundant, may call for less labor than in climes where the fruitfulness of the earth altogether depends on the physical and mental energies of But even in the most favored region nothing can be obtained without exertion; for however abundant the supply of food and means of shelter and clothing, they need a degree of labor to procure them, and to adapt them to man's necessities.

man.

And in the progress of the race it is seen, even in those favored climes, that in proportion as they increase and multiply, so is the necessity for labour demanded; and with that necessity does man rise from the condition of the indolent savage, to be the active member of a civilized community; a being finding his pleasures in his works and investigations, constantly adding something to life's enjoyments, and possessing feelings, aspirations and hopes, which the savage never dreamt of.

But in countries not so favored by nature, we find that they are more than compensated for the clustering abundance, the extraordinary fecundity, the balmy air and rich perfumes of the tropics, by their increased means of social

comfort, their intellectual enjoyments, and their political liberty and security.

For ungenial soils and changeful climates, have oftener proved blessings than otherwise. As by arousing the energies of those who inhabit them, in order that they might live, they have been instrumental in calling up thought, invention, prudence and enterprise, which have stored their lands with abundance, and made them the pioneers of civilization in all parts of the world. Thus presenting new motives for thought and action to the most distant or indolent of their brethren.

Man's necessities therefore call upon him to be industrious, and nature at the same time presenting to him her multitudinous materials, and labor-aiding powers, bids him think, work, and enjoy.

And when we consider how bravely and faithfully millions of our race have obeyed these monitions; and when we perceive the splendid results of their laborious achievements in all that can administer to human happiness, in all that can intellectually elevate and morally refine, we cannot but be struck with the dignity and importance of labor, and the necessity for its diffusion and progress in every clime.

But while nature has been profuse in her productions and materials, which man may apply to his purposes, she has by her wise distribution of them provided a universal bond of alliance between the nations of the world, whenever man shall be wise enough to perceive it. This distribution of the materials of human industry and means of enjoyment, has already led to great results; but trifling compared to that bond of interests, knowledge and affections that will be established when all nations shall seek to develope their resources, and to exchange their productions freely with one another.

Our moral duty, therefore, requires us to be industrious