ise economy of time. Sir Humphry Davy established a
laboratory in the attic of his house, and when his ordinary day's work
was done began a course of scientific studies that continued throughout
his memorable life. Cobbett learned grammar when a soldier, sitting on
the edge of his bed. Lincoln, the famous president of America,
acquired arithmetic during the winter evenings, mastered grammar by
catching up his book at odd moments when he was keeping a shop, and
studied law when following the business of a surveyor. Douglas
Jerrold, during his apprenticeship, arose with the dawn of day to study
his Latin grammar, and read Shakespeare and other works before his
daily labor began at the printing office. At night, when his day's
work was done, he added over two hours more to his studies. At
seventeen years of age he had so mastered Shakespeare that when anyone
quoted a line from the poet he could give from memory that which came
next. While walking to and from his office Henry Kirke White acquired
a knowledge of Greek. A German physician, while visiting his patients,
contrived to commit to memory the _Iliad_ of Homer. Hugh Miller, while
working as a stonemason, studied geology in his off hours. Elihu
Burritt, "the learned blacksmith," gained a mastery of eighteen
languages and twenty-two dialects by using the odds and ends of time at
his disposal. Franklin's hours of study were stolen from the time his
companions devoted to their meals and to sleep.[1] Many similar
instances might be added to show what may be done by economising time
and strictly looking after those spare minutes which many throw away.
The great rule is, never to be unemployed, and to find relief in
turning from one occupation to another, due allowance of course being
made for recreation and for rest. The wise man economises time as he
economises money.

II. System.--It is wonderful how much work can be got through in a day
if we go by rule--if we map out our time, divide it off and take up one
thing regularly after another. To drift through our work, or to rush
through it in _helter skelter_ fashion, ends in comparatively little
being done. "One thing at a time" will always perform a better day's
work than doing two or three things at a time. By following this rule
one person will do more in a day than another does in a week. "Marshal
thy notions," said old Thomas Fuller, "into a handsome method. One
will carry twice as much weight trusse