It has been remarked, and with truth, that one of the secrets, perhaps it may be termed the chief secret, of commercial success is enthusiasm, wisely directed, of course. The business man who strives to invest his duties, day by day, with the spirit of enthusiasm, may be said to give his day's task a good " set off, " as it were, while he is likely to get through his work with less expenditure of nerve force, and with a greater degree of pleasure to himself than if he started in an in-different or dull frame of mind, as many business men are, unfortunately, so often accustomed to do.

The foregoing observatious may truthfully be said to apply to every branch of business, including that of engineering. This is a "point " which the young engineer should take careful note of. He should remember that our great engineers and inventors did not achieve distinction merely by dogged application to the task on hand, but likewise by the enthusiastic way in which they, as a rule, went about their respective work.

Some of our eminent living engineers, electricians and inventors (whose names might easily be adduced), are noted for the jubilant spirit with which they invariably invest their labors. They appear to find a perennial pleasure in their work; and that is exactly what everyone, the academically-trained professional, commercial men, and artisans alike, ought ever to strive to do. They will thereby be able to find pleasure - nay, even delight - in the performance of their work, whatever it may be. We are quite well aware of the fact (and it is an ugly fact, too) that many men are today pursuing a calling for which they have no particular liking. Such unhappy souls are frequently heard to say "that they do not care for the work, but it is the only kind of business that they are qualiffed for. " Such individuals, and we fear they are somewhat numerous, are assuredly to be pitied.

It is a pity for any man to have to follow a trade or profession which does not lie near to his heart. He is not likely to attain distinction, nor even ordinary success in his own sphere of labor. There would be fewer of this type of worker in our midst at this present hour if parents studied the "bent" of their children's minds ere apprenticing them to a trade. The natural taste of a child should always be allowed due weight when determining upon their future life calling. Indeed, we do not know but that it should rank as a primary element in the matter, that is, assuming that the youth or girl is physically and mentally qualified to pursue the particular line of business towards which his or her native bent of mind points. - Engineering and Iron Trades Advertiser, Glasgow.