Decision of character, then, is neither in itself a moral virtue, nor a mental excellence, but, as mental power, can scarcely be too highly appreciated. As a quality of mind, with the inflexibility of a ruling principle, it exerts over the mental faculties a commanding influence. It renders the several powers of mind available for use and action, and gives life and energy to each and to all. While principle, either of virtue or vice, is the helm that guides the mind through the waters of life, decision of character is that mastering power, like steam, which despises the whistling winds, and battles with the waves.

Of mental excellence, either of the moral or intellectual powers, there are several kinds; and in society various degrees of merit in each. But if, without depreciating the peculiar excellence of any, we observe that quality which stands out the noblest to our view, and is most valuable for highest achievement, it is decision of character. In the garden of mental development there may be trees of richest verdure, fruits of sweetest flavour, and flowers of greatest beauty; yet the tallest and noblest effort of vegetation there commands our wonder, excites our deepest attention, and lives in our continued remembrance.

In treating further of the subject of these remarks, we shall consider generally its characteristic features, and then its great value and excellence in several respects. Decision of character is a quality of mind which acts with the regulating power of principle, and not with the energy of an occasional impulse. Rather, it is a principle and not a passion-a habit of mind, and not an occasional action. Decision of action is often seen where there is no decision of character. The former may be frequently witnessed in that promptitude which the stern necessity of circumstances requires, or in that convulsive energy which, once exerted, relapses in fatigue into the repose of indolence. Decision of character consists of unity of purpose, firmness, promptitude, energy, courage, perseverance. It is utterly opposed to a spirit of delay, which, even in trifles, is in every case the thief of time. It is also utterly opposed to hesitancy of mind, either of thought or feeling. It is firmness of purpose, of resolve, of action. Hesitancy is weakness-decision is power. If we examine the cause of weakness of character, inefficiency of action, and indolence of mind, on the one hand; and of energy of character, and of action, and of influence in society, on the other; we shall at once be convinced that the important difference is mainly owing to the presence or absence of this master quality. As a habit of mind it governs, not merely the outward actions, but every thought and feeling. In thought, when aright, it is the firm step of reason; in feeling it is force; in both it is power, and this however applied. Decision gives unity and power to all the mental operations, and a capability of action is imparted, in itself of the highest value. The giant is strengthened by every exercise. The germ

of decision of character is in the process of thought. In the determinate nature of thought, we may say, consists the essence of the quality we are considering. Every step, slow it may be, is progress-none of the falterings of hesitancy. Then follows energy of feeling, firmness of

purpose, resolve, action. This quality implies not merely firmness of purpose and resolve, but firmness manifested in the accomplishment of purpose. Hence courage, perseverance, energy of action. And what are difficulties before this conquering power? "Cut through the rock,” said Napoleon, and it was done.

Decision of character confers a real dignity of mind far above the pomp of heraldry or the pride of power. It is noble because it is powerful, not because it seems so; and it possesses a commanding influence. It is mastery of mind; and allied to this is an independence of spirit conferred by it, opposed on the one hand to the emptiness of vanity, and on the other to the weakness of continual reliance-rather the oak than the ivy. The term manly, so well understood, and always admired in idea and action, is a faithful representation of the nature and value of our subject. And this is mind in its true nobility; when inspired by virtue as a ruling principle, its movements are the progress of reason. And this is true decision of character.

We shall now briefly consider the value of this noble quality in its several developments; and the first respect in which it strikes us as of great value, is in the process of education, including the acquisition of knowledge. Whatever object is to be attained, decision of character is of great importance, especially where difficulties are to be overcome. The formation of proper habits, and the cultivation of those qualities which compose excellence of character, demand the constant exercise of command of mind and vigour of purpose. The moral discipline of the spirit is no easy work. There are difficulties in this all-important work, of surpassing magnitude, to contend with, which require a moral heroisma decision of character rare as it is valuable. On this obvious truth we need not dwell. To enlarge, in justice to its true importance, would require a volume. In the pursuit of knowledge, and in that discipline of mind necessary for its attainment, a high purpose, worthy of man, his dignity and power-the quality which forms our subject-is eminently valuable mighty is the end, and mighty the means. The powers of the mind, instead of being wasted in the dissipation of indolence, are, in the contemplation of one purpose, summoned to united effort. Triumph, then, is sure. Attractive and glowing are the numerous examples of those who have "won their way to bright and honourable fame," and are thus inviting others to similar effort and reward. The path of virtue, of intellectual attainment and of knowledge, is up a high and steep ascent; and to gain any eminence in it requires unity of purpose, promptitude, energy, courage, perseverance-in one word, decision of character, in habit, in thought, as well as in action. By the exercise of this quality in the successful attainment of intellectual excellence, the mind may rise to higher and yet higher degrees of happiness, eminence, and honour; and the rich and enlarging pleasures of intellectual cultivation may

"Lead on from goal to goal,

And open still, still open on the soul."

In the personal affairs of life, decision is of great value, not merely in

the minor affairs of every day, but in those more important concerns on which individual welfare is more especially dependent. There is a tide in the affairs of every one; there are opportunities of advantage, which, once lost, are not repeated. Hence the immense importance of the exercise of this quality.

Not only is it in the attainment of works of high achievement, and of first importance, that this noble quality is valuable, nor is its exercise only to be seen in minds of extraordinary mould, and on extraordinary occasions. We grant that it is most conspicuous when displayed on great and stirring occasions; and that the splendour of its highest achievement commands the most enthusiastic admiration. But utility (of especial esteem in the present age) is measured by frequency rather than rarity, and by capability of application to ordinary life. Decision of character, as we have said, is a habit of mind rather than occasional action-a principle rather than an impulse; hence, besides the highest development, there are lower degrees of attainment of great usefulness. Society, in any of its forms, is a machine-simple, indeed, in its ruder forms, but complex in the combinations and various relations of cultivated and well-regulated community; but, whether simple or complicated, society is indebted, for its efficiency and equable working, to the firmness of its various parts; and hence, we believe that decision of character, in the firmness it gives to the movements of society, whether of a larger or lower order, is of inestimable value.

In the ordinary concerns of common life, decision of character is of excellent service. Scarcely an action can be performed, trivial it may be, but requires more or less the exercise of this quality, perhaps rather as the result of habit than of any specific exertion. We think decision of character the essence of that invaluable quality of mind--business habit— which is appreciated more than it is admired or attained. Devoid of pomp, it is useful. It is valuable in every relation and transaction in life, and is, as it were, the mainspring of society. In the carrying out of plans, of whatever description, unity and vigour of purpose, and the qualities in which consist decision of character, are requisite. The interests of science, of philanthropy, of morals, are thus highly promoted by the exercise of this quality. Order is the first law in the procedures, not only of heavenly, but of earthly wisdom; and, that order may be observed, and improvement of man in any respect most effectually secured, decision must be a ruling principle of every movement of mind, and be developed in appropriate action. In the giving of advice or counsel, in every case the value of decision is apparent. Indeed, if decision be an important mental qualification, it is valuable in its exercise; if it consists in command of mind, and in mental power; if it combines the elements of wisdom, and is the gathering up of the spirit to act, then it is truly needful, nay essential, when in counsel the leading of other minds is sought to be effected. The possession of decision of character gives always a commanding influence in society (which it is the object of most to attain)— a power in the highest degree valuable. A single glance at the consti

tution and workings of society, will convince any one of the influence which mind possesses; that it is a power before which society, in any of its forms, bows, and which it implicitly obeys. Decision, by giving command of mind, gives commanding influence. Power is eminence and honour; and honour is, for its own sake, justly of high estimation; and this power is eminently valuable in the promotion of truth in any of its developments. The reason of this power is clear; it arises from a confidence in the rectitude of the possessor of decision, derived from a similar confidence which he himself possesses. In some particular pursuits, decision of character is doubtless more valuable-indispensable to success than others-such as capital instances in the professional avocations of the lawyer, the physician, the merchant. We may add, generally, that this quality is eminently valuable in stations of trust, influence, or authority. Its value is of course in proportion to the magnitude of the concerns with which it is connected.* In political affairs, it is clear, decision of character is essential. In a statesman it is the element of power, and the source of usefulness. It is essential also to government in any of its forms.

In every department of character, in every relation of life, and in every age, we may see exemplifications of this noble quality. In some instances, more than others, it stands out with superior prominence to our view; excites our greatest attention, and commands our highest admiration. Decision of character consists not merely in determination of will, but in such a determination erected on the conclusions of the judgment, or relying on principles previously admitted. Features of character are very much formed or developed by circumstances; and hence it is that on great occasions we witness the most striking displays of this quality. Perhaps on no occasion is this the case more than in the military field. Decision of character is the great means for the attainment of that object of ardent ambition-military glory; it alone makes the hero. In barbarian tribes, where acts of physical courage and daring are constantly demanded, and where the want of mental cultivation, and of the complexity of civilised life, and warfare, render impossible and unknown, indeed unnecessary, a long train of reason, and the slow, cautious, and perhaps hesitating conclusions of judgment, there is a unity and determination of purpose, and an energy of feeling and of action, which together, like an impetuous torrent, bears all before it. The warrior, in whom decision of character is most displayed, is he who holds the highest control, and leads on to battle, if not to victory. In the achievements of civilised warfare (if warfare indeed belongs to civilisation) this quality is also essential. To mention names would be truly a most serious trespass on the limits of this essay, and equally unnecessary. Not a hero has figured on the page of history, nor a warrior achieved a conquest, but may furnish an instance of decision. In our own country the decision of Caractacus will not cease to be admired; nor, in looking to ancient times, can we fail to estimate

To enlarge on the above obvious remark, though an important one, and fraught with valuable lessons, we consider superfluons; besides, it would unduly extend this essay.

the same noble quality in Cæsar, in Alexander, in Hannibal, and others of their age and nations. The history of British military and naval renown abounds with instances of this noble quality; and we may point with triumph to the long line of our commanders, from the earliest period to the exploits of Wellington and of Pottinger, and with safety attribute their own and their country's successes and fame to the exercise of decision of character.

In deeds of adventure, in which there is physical daring and other contests with difficulty, success is dependent on this valuable quality. We refer to those instances in which decision is built on superior knowledge. Not only is decision a guiding-star in crossing the wilderness or the ocean, but a light amidst the surrounding darkness and to future times. Lander, and those who have gone before him in adventure and discovery, are entitled to our tribute of admiration; and Columbus, too, in crossing an unknown ocean with the confidence he displayed in the small amount of knowledge then possessed. But we must forbear to enlarge.

The power over others which decision gives is one of its most striking characteristic features. This remark is obvious, and will bear the most general application. As an instance sufficient for our purpose, all our readers will recollect the story of history which records that the Roman Ambassador on a certain occasion drew a circle round Antiochus, the Syrian king, and dared him to pass out of it before his demands were complied with.

We

Not only is decision illustrious when exhibited in positive achievement, but it is also most noble and admirable in mental expression. refer especially to those displays of it which the senate has afforded: Demosthenes, and others in following times who have caught his spirit, have earned their nobility in the hierarchy of mental splendour as much by decision of character as by their other distinguishing qualities.

The noble quality we are considering is far more illustriously displayed when resting on the integrity of principle than in any other of its forms. Then it is noble indeed, and appears before us in a divine array. Truth is invincible, because she is light and life, and will not be conquered. We simply refer, in illustration, to the invincible decision of character manifested either by communities or individuals in the sacred cause of liberty and right.

And still higher and more eminent are the displays of decision of character when religious principle is the basis of its exercise; then there is firm conviction of the truth of such principle, and hence an undaunted zeal in defence. Decision here is noble, for it is armed with celestial power. Examples in proof of this abound on every side; and we mention only one splendid instance-Luther, who, in effecting the great Protestant Reformation, despised the most determined assaults of the powers of earth.

Not only is decision of character seen when manifested in action; it is also noble and valuable, and most to be admired when exhibited in