When St.
Boniface landed in Britain, he came with a gospel in one hand and
a carpenter's rule in the other; and from England he afterwards
passed over into Germany, carrying thither the art of building.
Luther also, in the midst of a multitude of other employments,
worked diligently for a living, earning his bread by gardening,
building, turning, and even clockmaking. (9)
It was characteristic of Napoleon, when visiting a work of
mechanical excellence, to pay great respect to the inventor, and
on taking his leave, to salute him with a low bow. Once at St.
Helena, when walking with Mrs. Balcombe, some servants came along
carrying a load. The lady, in an angry tone, ordered them out of
the way, on which Napoleon interposed, saying, "Respect the
burden, madam." Even the drudgery of the humblest labourer
contributes towards the general wellbeing of society; and it was a
wise saying of a Chinese Emperor, that "if there was a man who did
not work, or a woman that was idle, somebody must suffer cold or
hunger in the empire."
The habit of constant useful occupation is as essential for the
happiness and wellbeing of woman as of man. Without it, women are
apt to sink into a state of listless ENNUI and uselessness,
accompanied by sick headache and attacks of "nerves." Caroline
Perthes carefully warned her married daughter Louisa to beware of
giving way to such listlessness.
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