CHAPTER V
Helps and Opportunities—Scientific Pursuit
"Neither the naked hand, nor the understanding, left to itself, can do much; the work is accomplished, by instruments and helps, of which the need is not less for the understanding than the hand."—Bacon.
"Opportunity has hair in front, behind she is bald; if you seize her by her forelock you may hold her, but, if suffered to escape, not Jupiter himself can catch her again."—From the Latin.
Accident does very little towards the production of any great result in life. Though sometimes what is called "a happy hit" may be made by a bold venture, the common highway of steady industry and application is the only safe road to travel. It is said of the landscape painter Wilson, that when he had nearly finished a picture in a tame, correct manner, he would step back from it, his pencil fixed at the end of a long stick, and after gazing earnestly on the work, he would suddenly walk up and by a few bold touches give a brilliant finish to the painting. But it will not do for every one who would produce an effect, to throw his brush at the canvas in the hope of producing a picture. The capability of putting in these last vital touches is acquired only by the labour of a life; and the probability is, that the artist who has not carefully trained himself
139
