History is full of examples of those who refused to be conquered by physical misfortune, and from whom we may learn the lesson that work conquers all things. If one has a slight of nature then he might, with profit, contemplate the achievements of the crooked Æsop; the purblind, long-legged, hairy Socrates; the withered, blind Democritus; the unpleasing-to-behold Seneca; that little blear-eyed Horace; the dwarfs Faber Stapulensis, and Marcus Picenus; the stammering Aristotle, Virgil, Lamb; the hump-backed emperor Galba; those little men of stature, Augustus Caesar, Alexander the Great; the blind Timoleon, Appius Claudius, Homer, Milton; the one-eyed Hannibal; the epileptic Mohammed, Caesar, St. Paul, Napoleon; the club-footed, scrofulous Byron; the large headed, wizened-bodied De Quincey; Epictetus, the slave, maimed in body but refusing to find fault with God's universe; Charles Darwin who for forty years never knew a day of the health of ordinary men, and who every day succumbed to the exhaustion brought on by the slightest effort; Laura Bridgman who lived long and happily in spite of blindness, deafness, dumbness; Helen Keller whose book on "Optimism" every one should read; Theodore Roosevelt, who, as a boy, was frail and sickly.

There are, indeed, countless more examples of individuals who refused to let physical blights interfere with their happiness. We need not look farther than our own neighbourhood often to find them. True, all the examples given may not be examples of great optimism, but the majority of them bore their infirmities with no complaint. If they had given up the fight, overcome by the thought that life such as theirs was not worth living, the world would have been less rich and they more wretched. It is indeed praiseworthy for one to strive to benefit his fellows when nature has smiled upon him, but it is noble to work for mankind and to give happiness when we have reason, or think we have, to envy our fellow beings because of benefits they possess which are denied us. It is by the example of the truly great that we can learn the lesson that, no matter what portion in life may be ours, we have a purpose on earth, and that in pursuing it we can make ourselves happy and others also.

It is in work that the physically defective can find happiness. And there is work for every one, and every one should work. From lack of it countless people are neurotic and unhappy even though they appear physically strong. Cripples and others marred physically are also unhappy because of absence of occupation. Unless one be absolutely helpless, there is suitable work he can pursue, for pleasure, or profit, or both. There are many of the blind adepts at broom making, rug-weaving, typewriting, fancy work, etc.; many cripples are efficient telephone operators, show card and sign makers; many who have to spend most of their time in bed are finding happiness and financial reward from their original writings, or their compilations of quotations, etc If one pursues work solely for the happiness it brings, there are innumerable pursuits that he may follow, even though confined indoors. If one must have a financial consideration in addition, then he must study; he must put forth effort. There is little or no sympathy in business, and if the handicapped is to succeed among normals he must be equal to normals in his work. He can be equal, providing he chooses the work suitable for him, applies himself to it, and is not immediately over-come by the apparent struggle before him. Often cripples and others are changed into happy, efficient beings simply because they are at work, instead of idly spending their time in futile, painful day-dreaming.

Upon the parents or relatives of physical defectives much responsibility devolves. In order to shield the latter, the parents often look after their every real or imaginary need, sympathize with them unduly, neglect to teach them some suitable occupation. The parents die, and the defective is then thrown upon charity; in some cases misplaced sympathy and neglect allow persons who could be made useful to become imbeciles. Sympathy is all right in its place, but when misplaced or overdone it causes much harm. There are any number of persons who, by reason of accident, are considered invalids and whose invalidism is kept up solely by reason of ignorance on the part of their relatives. The invalid is pampered, cried over, the disability constantly impressed upon the sick one's mind, causing the latter to believe that he or she is really of no use. If, instead, healthy optimism were alone allowed, many persons would be rescued from their beds or wheel chairs, to become happy men and women. At any rate, it is the parents' duty to educate those of their offsprings as may be abnormal; this education is not only a matter of the ordinary R's and a suitable vocation, but also the instilling of a healthy view of life. The misfit are certainly in need of the latter; without it they can never be happy, or useful, or agreeable to their fellows.

Those whose blemishes do not prevent them from coming in contact with the outside world, but who dislike to mingle with normal persons, are in need of hardening. It is quite true that many people are thoughtless or ignorant in unduly noticing the blemish or in talking of it, yet these same persons really mean well, and would be glad to do all in their power for the afflicted individual. One must learn not to pay attention to their glances, nor to be offended should questions be asked. It is a pleasant disposition that conquers every one, and any defective who has it cannot fail to win many friends. One's true friends never let a defect matter; indeed, they soon forget about it. Many girls who are crippled in some way are often melancholy lest they be never able to marry. A handicap will not be a barrier if the person has a really good disposition, is interested in the work of every one, and has a good word for every one, even in return for evil; experience has taught that over and over.

The physical defective needs be wary in the choice of friends. While it is true that there is something in the adage that misery loves company and finds pleasure in it, the pleasure is apt to be of the melancholy variety. Such company leads to too much sympathy, probably an envious disposition. The jolly nature is to be preferred. Should the misfortune happen to be of an hereditary nature, the tendency of like to marry like deserves attention. This is a bad form of mating, since the defect is apt to be aggravated in the offsprings.

When melancholy thoughts appear, they must not be entertained; the fight should even go on. By reading a favourite book that encourages when the spirit is at a low ebb, optimism may return. There are numerous books which inspire hope, confidence, perseverance. A study of the biographies of the persons similarly afflicted may be helpful: in Seneca, Epictetus, Epicurus, St. Thomas Aquinas, Cicero, Helen Keller, David Grayson and others, happiness may often be found and retained. One should not forget the great peace brought by the greatest book of all - the Bible. "I have but one book," said Cowper in the last days of his ill spent genius, "but it is the best." How much it solaces is shown by the fact that when times are hard the sales of bibles increase; it is, however, a book for all times, good or bad.

In reading it is well to have some books which have been found to give contentment. Many people make it a practice to resort to a favourite one, or favourite passages when they find their courage ebbing. At any rate the morbid, the books dealing with social triangles and other complexes are best avoided by the person whose courage is low or who is apt to brood about his or her difficulties. Tales of romance and the like should give place to studies of bird and animal life, or stories of adventure, unless the individual is able to contemplate others' happiness, even fictionary, with no regrets.

Those who refrain from sympathizing with us are better friends than those who do not. Likewise, if we sympathize with ourselves we are our own worst enemies. It may be true that a person may be for no good reason unfortunate, but surely that cannot be mended by self-pity. As a matter of fact, the most unfortunate complain the least. Whatever one's misfortune there are others whose state is direr. This is probably not the best way to look for contentment, yet if we find others more unfortunate than us, and who bear their trials with fortitude, we cannot fail to profit by the example they give us.

Those of us who happen to possess health can do much to aid those less fortunate. And we can do so greatly by permitting our curiosity to atrophy. Many of us, when we see a cripple or person otherwise blemished, must survey his defect with a critical eye. To stare is not only rude, but in many cases painful. If we passed these unfortunates by with no more than a cursory view and, should we talk to them, keep the conversation off the impairment we would give much happiness. When we talk to the physically impaired, in fact to any one, let us talk of health, of hope, and let us, as far as possible, avoid giving discouragement, by look, word or act.