'You may choose any profession you please; but everybody else has the same right as yourself.
'Competition is therefore permitted; never complain of competition.
'If you hinder your neighbour from working as he pleases, you may yourself be hindered in like manner.
'Competition excites the workman to do his best and at the cheapest rate.
'Thus competition is advantageous to all. Never ask Society to interfere with the freedom of labour, but work hard yourself.'
These wholesome lessons on competition are illustrated by the following tale:—
Gregory's Views on Competition.
'Our friend Gregory is a good husband; but he sometimes has little arguments with his wife.
'The other day, Mrs. Gregory was angry, because she had found out that a shoemaker was going to establish himself in the village. "What do we want another shoemaker for," said she "when you and I are here already? The Government ought to prevent such things."
'Gregory, who was at his work, lifted his head and said: "The Government ought to prevent women from talking nonsense. Suppose that I was the shoemaker who had just established himself in the village; what would you say if any one interfered with my carrying on my trade? You would not be very well pleased, I fancy."