Section 231. AN ORATION ON THE POWER OF HABIT. III.
Reading edition
If you say: “Should I find the practice by experience to be injurious, I will give it up,” surely that is not common sense[1]. You might as well say: “I will put my hand into the nest of the rattlesnake, and when I find out that he has stuck his fangs into me[2], I will draw it out and get cured.”
I remember riding from[3] Buffalo to the Niagara Falls, and said to a gentleman: “What river is that, Sir?” “That,” he said, “is Niagara River[4].” “Well, it is a beautiful stream,” said I, “bright, and fair, and glossy; how far off are the rapids[5]?” “Only a mile or two,” was the reply. “Is it possible that (S. 66, N. 15) only a mile or two from us we shall find the water in the turbulence which it must show when near the falls?” “You will find it so, Sir.” And so I did find it; and that first sight of the Niagara I shall never forget. Now, launch your boat on that Niagara river; it is bright, smooth, beautiful, and glossy. There is a ripple at the bow[6], and the silvery wake[7] you leave behind adds to your enjoyment. Down the stream you glide; oars, sails, and helm are in proper trim, and you set out[8] on your pleasure excursion[9]. Suddenly some one cries out from the bank: “Young men, ahoy[10]!” “What is it[11]!”—“The rapids are below you[12]!”—“Ha, ha! we have heard of the rapids, but we are not so foolish as to get there[13]. If we go [= If it goes] too fast, then up with the helm[14], then set the mast in the socket[15], hoist the sail, and speed to land[16]. Then on[17], boys; don’t be alarmed—there’s no danger!”