If our experience shows us any exceptions to this rule, it is, after all, only in seeming. He who can make another unhappy and not be conscious of it, is among those whom Epictetus calls blind in that knowledge which distinguisheth right from wrong. He has not felt his close relation, or, indeed, any relation to his fellows. He cannot know any of the joys of fellowship, and he will not find the pleasure he expects even in his own pursuits. For it matters little, so far as seeing is concerned, whether a man be born blind, or whether he keeps his eyes tightly bandaged all his days. In either case he gets none of the sensations of pleasure that come from being able and willing to see. If we persist in having “our own way,” we must pay the price. Most of the miseries of life are caused by failure to get in harmony with the laws of life. This is as simple and self-evident as walking up the street. If we persist in keeping to the left on a busy sidewalk, we shall be jostled and pushed until we are sore and out of breath and make but little headway withal. But, if we are careful to walk with the crowd going in our direction, if we remember always to keep to the right, we shall find it easy to get along even at the “rush” hour. Those who do not observe this rule of harmonious progress not only find walking on a busy street hard work, but they also make it harder for others. One man walking the wrong way may compel twenty more to violate the sidewalk customs to overcome his opposition. But, when everyone observes the rule, it leads to a saving of time and temper and makes life safer for all who are in the crowd. Generally speaking, we recognize no law but that of our own will, which is by no means the same thing as the far-wider law of our being. We cannot separate our lives from the greater life. While we follow the law of our own will, self-will, we never know real happiness or rest. Like many another man-made law, our antagonistic wills are a perversion of the natural law which governs our lives. SLEEP’S CONQUEST Invisible armies come, we know not whence, And like a still, insinuating tide Encompass us about on every side, Imprisoning each weary outpost sense, Till thought is taken, sleeping in his tents! Yet now the conquerer with lofty pride Becomes our guardian, with us doth abide And plans all night our wondrous recompense. He takes away the weary, worn-out day, And brings to-morrow—bride without a stain; Gives us fresh liberty, a chance to mend; Life, hope, and friends enhanced with fresh array. Then when we fail he conquers us again, Paroling us each day until the end. CHARLES H. CRANDALL. (Courtesy of Harper & Brothers.) CHAPTER XLII THE NATURAL LAW