The mental condition also exerts a direct influence upon the physical powers, through the organs of the circulation and of the respiration, the heart’s impulse being more vigorous and regular, the aëration of the blood being more efficiently performed, in the former of these conditions than in the latter. Success too easily won, or won early in life, may really be a cause of failure, because, having been once achieved, the individual may be content with what she has and not proceed to higher development. And so a very inferior success may be the tomb of energy and the satisfied goal of ambition, instead of a stimulus to higher things. Lack of success may also be caused by indulgence or lack of courage, the individual preferring to sail along the chartered course of mediocrity rather than to strike out a new path for herself, involving risk, anxiety, and endless work. And perhaps jealousy in the rank and file of the lazy, indifferent, and mediocre far more often impedes effectually the road to success than is dreamed of, so that a greater degree of secretiveness, warding off the scent, of the intentions, the aspirations, and the methods of work, until the object shall have finally been achieved. Another and most important secret of success is to recognize failure as only a stepping-stone to higher things. Eggleston says, “Persistent people begin their success where others end—in failure.” The people who succeed in this world are the people who get up and look around for the circumstances they want; if they cannot find them, make them. “Circumstances,” said Napoleon, “I make circumstances.” There are four mental requisites necessary to the achievement of success, namely: a clear view of the end; a judicious indifference to the sentiment around by the sweeping away of obstacles; an indomitable energy; and the power to resist the temptation to rest on the soporific plane of mediocrity. FOOTNOTES: [5] “Education as the Controlling Factor in the Physical Life of Woman,” Four Epochs of Woman’s Life. [6] “Sex and Society.” CHAPTER VIII DRESS THE FUNDAMENTAL CAUSE OF WOMAN’S PHYSICAL DETERIORATION The History of Woman’s Dress; the Corset in History; the Crusade Against the Corset; the Influence of the Corset on the Female Body; the Curved Front Corset; the Relation of Corsets to Abdominal and Pelvic Disorders; the Effects of Corsets on the Muscles; the Straight Front Corset; the Abdominal Corset; the Wearing of Corsets by Young Girls; What Style of Corset is the Least Injurious; the Shoe; the Stockings; the Essential Qualities for Winter Underclothing; the Length of the Walking Skirt; the Winter Street Dress.