LITTLE BY LITTLE.

One step and then another, And the longest walk is ended; One stitch and then another, And the largest rent is mended; One brick upon another, And the highest wall is made; One flake upon another, And the deepest snow is laid. So the little coral-workers, By their slow but constant motion, Have built those pretty islands In the distant, dark blue ocean; And the noblest undertakings Man's wisdom hath conceived, By oft-repeated efforts Have been patiently achieved. Then do not look disheartened O'er the work you have to do, And say that such a mighty task You never can get through; But just endeavour, day by day, Another point to gain, And soon the mountain which you feared Will prove to be a plain. "Rome was not builded in a day," The ancient proverb teaches; And Nature, by her trees and flowers, The same sweet sermon preaches. Think not of far-off duties, But of duties which are near; And having once begun to work, Resolve to persevere. C. Swain.