e becomes comfortable through the deadening of moral
sensibility.

When the suspension bridge over Niagara River was to be erected, the
question was, how to get the cable over. With a favoring wind a kite
was elevated, which alighted on the opposite shores. To its
insignificant string a cord was attached, which was drawn over, then a
rope, then a larger one, then a cable; finally the great bridge was
completed, connecting the United States with Canada.

First across the gulf we cast
Kite-borne threads till lines are passed,
And habit builds the bridge at last.

"Launch your bark on the Niagara River," said John B. Gough; "it is
bright, smooth, and beautiful, Down the stream you glide on your
pleasure excursion. Suddenly some one cries out from the bank, 'Young
men, ahoy!' 'What is it?'

"'The rapids are below you.' 'Ha! ha! we have heard of the rapids, but
we are not such fools as to get there. If we go too fast, then we
shall up with the helm, and steer to the shore. Then on, boys, don't
be alarmed--there is no danger.'

"'Young men, ahoy there!' 'What is it?' 'The rapids are below you!'
'Ha! ha! we will laugh and quaff. What care we for the future? No man
ever saw it. Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof. We will
enjoy life while we may, will catch pleasure as it flies. There's time
enough to steer out of danger.'

"'Young men, ahoy!' 'What is it?' 'Beware! Beware! The rapids are
below you!'

"Now you see the water foaming all around. See how fast you pass that
point! Up with the helm! Now turn! Pull hard! Quick, quick! Pull
for your lives! Pull till the blood starts from the nostrils, and the
veins stand like whip-cords upon the brow! Set the mast in the socket!
hoist the sail--ah! ah! it is too late! Shrieking, cursing, howling,
blaspheming, over you go.

"Thousands go over the rapids every year, through the power of habit,
crying all the while, 'When I find out that it is injuring me, I will
give it up!'"

A community is often surprised and shocked at some crime. The man was
seen on the street yesterday, or in his store, but he showed no
indication that he would commit such crime to-day. Yet the crime
committed to-day is but a regular and natural sequence of what the man
did yesterday and the day before. It was but a result of the fearful
momentum of all his past habits.

A painter once wanted a picture of innocence, and drew from life the
likeness of a chi