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| During the fifties
I occasionally lectured for mechanics' institutions and political
societies, on three subjects particularly, which were respectively
entitled "The Romance of Trifles," "Ways and Means,"
and "They who Rock the Cradle Rule the World." In the first-mentioned
subject, which I refer to as a sample, I showed that big things were
composed of little things ; that the mole-hill, the mountain, the
globe, the solar system, and the starry universe consisted of a finite
number of atoms; that the character and quality of the greatest things
depended on the character and quality of their smallest component
parts; that years, ages, and aeons were divisible into minutes; that
as it was with material things and time, so with human life; that
universal humanity-past, present, and to come-has been, and will be,
made up of so many individuals, and the life of each individual is
mainly built up of little things. The passing minute often governs
succeeding minutes and hours. How desirable, then, that minutes, for
their own sake and for that of their successors, should be well utilised!
"Take care of the pennies, and the pounds will take care of themselves."
It may be said with equal propriety: Take care of the minutes, and
the hours and days will take care of themselves." Selden says
"Syllables govern the world." Trifles light as air not only
carry on their wings the seeds of big consequences to individuals,
but sometimes assist in giving a new direction to national life. It
is recorded that during the early and unpopular days of Mahomet he
had to fly from his pursuers, who threatened to take his life. In
his flight he entered and found shelter in a narrow-mouthed cave,
over which a spider, during the following night, spun its web. His
pursuers the next morning, seeing the web, did not enter and search
the cave. If they done so, and found Mahomet, the history and destiny
of many Eastern nations might have been different to what they have
been. It is also recorded that Oliver Cromwell, not liking the storm
brewing condition of things in England preparatory to the Commonwealth,
made preparations to join his emigrant friends in America. But a dream
diverted his thoughts, altered his purpose, and induced him to stay
in England. But for that dream, British history might have assumed
a different aspect. It is also recorded that Christopher Columbus,
after many unsuccessful efforts to get help to go and discover another
continent which he felt sure existed on the other side of the world,
was about to abandon the project in despair. One day, in one of his
wanderings, he lost his way, and,. not knowing in what direction he
should go, at last decided to follow the direction of a flying flock
of birds. After a long walk he came to a monastery, where he found
refuge and a friend in the father abbot, who gave him an introduction
to Queen Isabella ofSpain. The Queen encouraged Columbus, championed
his enterprise, and, it is said, went so far as to pawn her jewels
to expedite his immortal voyage of discovery. Had the birds referred
to been shot, or otherwise slaughtered, to gratify some sporting passion,
the fate and fame of Columbus might have been different, and the condition
and prospects of the Old World and the New World might not have undergone
such rapid development. |
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