Chapter XVI: Conclusion

To describe, even by a single sentence each, the great enterprises of England—her harbours, bridges, canals, railways, mines, manufactures, shipping—would occupy volumes. Suffice it to say that our country has become more and more the land of Enterprise. This, indeed, must be the grand characteristic of the civilised world, universally, if the old and evil passion for war be not renewed.

In bygone ages the only path to prosperity for nations was supposed to be war. Nations seemed to think that without military “glory” they could not be great. Modern nations patterned by the ancient; every page of modern history, as well as ancient, is tilled with battles and successes. The farther we look back, the more we find it true, that violence led to splendour and renown. Much is told of the magnificence of the Eastern empires; but far above the glory of the temples of Tadmor, and the gardens of Babylon, rises the glory of Eastern conquerors on the page of history. Of all that is recorded of Egyptian labour and Corinthian wealth, nothing equals in fame their contemporary warriors. The trade and merchants of Athens were not without profit to her; but to Marathon and Platæa, to Salamis and Mycale, she owes the admiration which the majority in later ages have paid her. Sparta flourished, though condemned to idleness, except in war and theft. The trade of Carthage fell before the sword of Rome, and not all the wares that heathen nations ever fabricated, gave a twentieth part of the power which the soldiers of the republic won.

Gradually, the truth dawns upon the world that war is an evil immeasurable; that military glory is a false and destructive light; and that the grandest enterprises are those which serve to increase the comfort, happiness, and knowledge of the race. Let the young reader bid success to such enterprises, and enter into their spirit with all his energy. To be engaged—to be busy—to be earnestly at work, he will find to be one of the chief sources of happiness; and to pass life honourably and worthily, it is not only the duty, but the privilege, of well-nigh every native of our own and other civilised countries, to render existence a series of the “TRIUMPHS OF ENTERPRISE.”

William Stevens, Printer, 37, Bell Yard, Temple Bar.

Transcriber’s Notes

pg 5 Added period after: classic story of “Meleager,” which is
acted in the school
pg 25 Added comma after picture title: SPENSER
pg 31 Changed Such attainments can only be reached by the most
determined desciple to: disciple
pg 35 Removed repeated word and from: and I could multiply
and and divide
pg 45 Changed title from: CHAPTER II. to: CHAPTER III.
pg 47 Changed attract notice from the chief of the patrican
to: patrician
pg 58 Changed in the slightest degree, apear to: appear
pg 63 Changed combined with almost volanic to: volcanic
pg 86 Added comma after title: SIR RICHARD ARKWRIGHT
pg 91 Changed Guttemberg the inventor of printing to: Gutenberg
pg 145 Changed Without Enterprise there would have been no
civilzation to: civilization
pg 230 Added quote before: the more I was eager to see.”
pg 236 Changed “On my return to Cairo,” says he, “I againt to: again
Left different spellings of Shakspeare as written