homage be the unification of States in one colossal empire, the acquisition of power for a party and place for an individual, or the attainment of some private end in life, the same conditions apply. The end cannot justify or even condone the means; nor are the collateral evils to which a succession of efforts may have given rise extinguished by the single final result. Whether the failure that provokes the contemptuous sneer of the worldly wise, and crowds out of sight all the patient, painstaking, and laborious energy by which success has been courted, be the collapse. of an empire, the discomfiture of a political effort, or the disappointment of a personal pursuit, the actions by which the final issue has been preceded, are neither void nor fruitless. It is abundantly evident that the most worthy efforts often fail, while the worst succeed. This fact alone ought to show the exceeding folly of basing an estimate of character on a superficial reckoning of results. Unfortunately, however, the world reasons very crudely, and, because it likes success better than failure, applauds the one and repudiates the other.

XV.

CHILDISHNESS.

CHILDREN are always popular with the good and the wise. Their little ways are captivating by reason of their freshness and simplicity, and effectually win the interest and sympathy of all, except the utterly selfish and the hopelessly bad. But it does not follow that the childishness of grown-up people, who either ape the manners, or have not outgrown the mind, of childhood, should prove attractive. On the contrary, it is repulsive, and in many of its developements decidedly objectionable. For example, when a child-like disposition is made the excuse for a spiritless surrender of responsibility; when, with an affectation of simple obedience, those who ought to lead, claim credit for following; and, as

a plea for especial approval, innocently protest that they have not been petulant.

This kind of grown-up childishness, which is another word for ignorance, is esteemed by nobody. Every one sees its fault, and eschews and condemns it accordingly. Childishness, which consists in amiable weakness of character, is regarded somewhat more mercifully.

But the childishness

of mature minds whose distinguishing trait is apparent pliability, taking the form of submissiveness and docility, is by no means rightly understood or suitably appreciated. Instead of being a thing to be admired and cultivated, it is one of the most corrupt and pernicious perversions of personal character. It may not be always, but it is very commonly, associated with the qualities so strongly developed in the case of Mr. Uriah Heep.

Beneath the cloak of compliability there is generally concealed a cat-like craftiness. The submission that disarms an opponent, is the recoil before the spring by which he is to be assailed in a moment of unexpectancy. But even this, bad as it may be, is not the worst feature of this

particular kind of childishness. Harry Skimpole was too child-like to comprehend the obligations which devolved upon him as a consumer. He knew only how to enjoy, not to earn or pay for, the good things of this life. There are other Skimpoles the speciality of whose childishness would seem to deprive them of the power to understand the necessity for facing the ills of fortune as well as basking in its sunshine.

A large proportion of people are apt to become childish when exposed to the rough blasts of adversity. They find relief in moments of difficulty by falling back upon the pretty, coaxing pretence that they are "mere children." With touching simplicity they urge that other and stronger people should get them out of their troubles, because they "really know so very little " about the particular embarrassments in which they may be involved. The step that brought them into some dire strait was taken " quite innocently." They "never could have thought that matters would turn out as they have." In short, everything is attributed to want of experience, and general inaptitude for the kind of business in

They

which they have been engaged. The obvious, though not very gracious answer to this defence, would be that people should not meddle with matters they do not understand, or, if they persist in doing so, they must take the consequences on themselves.

The worst possible variety of childishness, however, is that which not only impels men and women to take advantage of the plea of want of knowledge and inexperience, in excuse for errors which they are pleased to call indiscretions, but which reduces the whole of their policy or conduct to an attempt "to please" and "obey" others, in place of acting on their own judgment, and with a proper sense of personal responsibility. The evils that result from the preponderance of persons with no minds of their own are manifold. Not the least is the entire perversion of authority and the overthrow of rule. Instead of governing, they merely echo the passing whim of the governed. In place of playing the part of parents, they are children all over; and it is very easy to foretell what must happen when power is entrusted to the discretion of a