DICKENS ON HARD WORK

WE are continually being confronted with the statement that success is achieved only by hard work and definite purpose, not only in music, but in all walks of life. One of the most eloquent statements of this fact was made by Charles Dickens.

"I never could have done what I have done," he said, "without the habits of punctuality, order and diligence, without the determination to concentrate myself on one object at a time, which I then formed. Heaven knows, I write this in no spirit of self-laudation. . . . My meaning simply is that whatever I have tried to do in life I have tried to do well; and, in short, I have always been thoroughly in earnest. I have never believed it possible that any natural or improved ability can claim immunity from the companionship of the steady, plain, hard-working qualities and hope to gain its end. There is no such thing as such fulfillment on this earth. Some happy talent, some fortunate opportunity, may form the two sides of the ladder on which some men mount, but the rounds of that ladder must be made of stuff to stand wear and tear; and there is no substitute for thoroughgoing, ardent and sincere earnestness."