Sam. Then, Papa, if men can do what they wish by contrivances and machines, I do not see that patience is of much use.
Father. What you mean, is properly called industry: patience means, bearing pain quietly. But industry is of great use to execute what has been thought of and contrived by those who have knowledge and ingenuity: and, besides, there are many things that require very little skill, but are performed chiefly by industry. Let us return to the wharf where we saw the blocks of stone.
When they returned to the place, they observed a man who was sawing a thin slice from a block of stone: the saw was fastened to a large wooden frame, which he moved continually backwards and forwards. A tub was set on the top of the stone, from which water ran gently into the gap, and kept the saw from getting hot.
John. How tiresome it must be, Papa, to have to move that great frame backwards and forwards all day long: and you can hardly see that it cuts the stone at all. I think I would chop it,—or something.—
Father. No; it would be impossible to chop the block into the flat pieces that are wanted. This block, you see, is lifted about, not by strength but by skill: it is cut into slices, not by skill but by industry.
Sam. But does the man like to sit sawing this stone all day?
Father. Perhaps not: but if he did not do this he could not procure food and clothing for himself, and his wife and children.
While this conversation was passing, the watermen, who were waiting for a fare, had attracted the attention of the boys, by holding up their hands, saying, perpetually, “Want a boat, Sir,—want a boat?” The moment that the Father looked towards the stairs, leading down to the water, one of them darted forward, and offered to hand the young gentlemen into his boat. In one minute they were all seated; and the waterman, having pushed his boat out into clear water, took his seat, and with long steady pulls, soon brought them out of sight of the stairs.
After they had expressed their admiration of the fine appearance of the broad river, and the vessels upon it; the bridges, and the buildings on both sides; the conversation, which had been interrupted, was thus resumed.
Father. You have seen that the stone-cutter procures his living, rather by his industry than his strength: now, can you name one who lives rather by his strength than his industry?