the book "Self-Help," being able to find no better word to suit the purpose; though mutual help, as well as self-help, was prominently set forward. When the book was prepared, I offered the manuscript to a London publisher, but it was declined with thanks. The Crimean war was then raging, and books were almost unsaleable. It was not until after the "Life of George Stephenson" had been published, that I issued "Self-Help" through the kindness of Mr. Murray. It was received most favourably. I owe my greatest thanks to the reviewers. I hope their reviews have been just. With very few exceptions, they have praised my efforts perhaps more than they deserved. And yet I knew nothing of them, nor they of me. "Self-Help" was translated and published in nearly every European language; as well as into some of the languages or dialects of India and Japan. In America, the book has been more widely published and read than in Great Britain. But the English author can never know the fate of his book in America. Piracy of English books is protected by American law; and the honest publisher of New York is overwhelmed by the dishonest publisher of Chicago. I cannot understand why the American legislature should be less honest than the governments of France, Germany, and Italy. In all these countries international copyright is freely granted. Thirteen years after the appearance of "Self-Help," during which I had been engaged with other works, I wrote and published "Character." I there endeavoured to fill up the picture of the noble and magnanimous man and woman, and cited numerous examples taken from the lives of the best men and women who ever lived. It seemed to me that this was the best manner of impressing the minds of young people, by giving them invigorating examples of nobility of character. "Some people exclaim," said Isaac Disraeli, "give me no anecdotes of an author, but give me his works; yet I have often found that the anecdotes are more interesting than the works." This is the example which I have always pursued. "It is not," said Plutarch, "in the most distinguished exploits that men's virtues or vices may be best discovered, but frequently an action of small note, a short saying, or a jest, that distinguishes a person's real character more than the greatest battles or the most important actions." Five years later, "Thrift" appeared. In that book I assumed the dignity of labour, and urged men to economise in order to secure their independence; to provide for their families, with a view to the future; to live a clean, sober, and manly life; to avoid the horrible curse of drink, which keeps so many men and women poor; and to raise them up to an elevation of virtue, morality, and religion. I believe that the book has done much good. Since its publication many institutions have been formed for the establishment of National Thrift; and I know, from many correspondents, that thriving Penny Banks have been established where they did not exist before. Five years after the publication of "Thrift," I now give "Duty," the last book of the series. I hope it will be as useful as its predecessors. I have, at all events, done my best, according to the faculty that still remains in me. The reader will find, in the following pages, numerous examples given of the best and bravest men and women in the career of well-doing. Great deeds are great legacies, which work with wondrous usury. By what men have done, we learn what men can do. A great career, though baulked of its end, is still a landmark of human energy. He who approaches the highest point of the supreme quality of Duty, is entitled to rank with the most distinguished of his race. "The primal duties shine aloft like stars, And charities that soothe, and heal, and bless, LONDON, November 1880. CONTENTS. The sphere of Duty-The soldier at Pompeii-The Birkenhead- An American legislator-Foundation of Duty-Freedom-Conscience -Power of Will-Religion-Self-control-The best government— Pascal on life-Teachings of Socrates--Plato-The New Testament Duty at home-Direction of the Will-Characterless men-Locke on the Will-School teaching and morality-Human liberty-Noble work-Difficulties-Laziness-Deed of a foolish man-Resolution and courage-Professor Wilson-Trimming-Pessimists—Miracles of Genius-Culture Cultivated apathy-Indifference-Goethe- Intellectual ability-Lady Verney on literature-Discipline of home Lying-Little lying-Regulus the Roman-Plato and Marcus Aurelius The Chinese-The Americans-Baron Dupin's warning-Com- petition-Quality of work-Bad work lying-Socrates on perfection of work-Wedgwood-Thomas Brassey-Strikes and bad times— Mr. Holyoake-America on money-making-America without apprentices—Badness of trade-Commercial gambling-Failures of Banks-Sadleir of Tipperary-Bishop of Peterborough on wealth- worship--Repudiation of Pennsylvania-Illinois remains honest- The unprincipled-The French quack-Illicit commissions-Honest men wanted-Foreign bribery-The Americans-Just men- Aristides and Phocion-Demosthenes-Diocletian-Other unbought men-Andrew Marvell-Ben Jonson - Goldsmith-Pulleney's guinea-Earl of Chatham-William Pitt-Chamillard-Sir Arthur Wellesley-Marquis of Wellesley-Sir Charles Napier-Sir James Courage and cowardice-Sir Philip Sydney-Enduring men- martyrdom-St. Pancras-The early Christians-Slaughters at Rome -Courage of Telemachus-Fall of Rome and Greece-Effects of Christianity-Persecution for dogma-Spain-Philip II.-Persecu- tion in France-Massacre of St. Bartholomew-Edict of Nantes revoked— Extensive martyrdom-The Huguenot character— Martyrs in England; in Scotland-Discovery of toleration— William Penn-Jeremy Taylor's apologue-Men of science, Bruno, Copernicus, Galileo-Kepler-Columbus-Victories and defeats- Leonidas, Judas Maccabeus-Arnold von Winkelried - Swiss |