For instance, one mother wrote from Surbiton:--
"My second son, Algernon, wishes to become a house and estate agent. Do
please tell me if you think this quite a fitting avocation for one whose
father is a member of the Stock Exchange."
I replied, "Quite. There is no nobler, and incidentally there are few more
lucrative occupations outside Bradford, unless it be that of a builder, in
which the scope is absolutely unlimited. I am enclosing a copy of last
week's _Builder and Architect_, in which you will find some great thoughts
expressed. Pray let Algernon read it. It may be the means of inducing him
to perform great deeds for England's sake."
Another fond parent wrote:--
"Can you advise an anxious mother as to a career for her only son, John
William? He is at present eight and a-half years old, has blue eyes and
fair hair and is a perfect darling, so good and obedient, but he is firmly
resolved to be a lift-man when he grows up."
I answered her soothingly thus:--
"John Willie is rather young to have made a final decision, I think. Let
his youthful aspirations run through the usual stages, liftman, engine-
driver, bus-conductor, sailor, etc. At fifteen or so he will have left
these behind, and for the next few years will probably settle down to the
idea of being nothing in particular, or else a professional cricketer. Then
he will suddenly, for good or evil, make his choice. Neither his blue eyes
nor his fair hair give any clue as to what that choice will be, but I
should let him keep both, as they may be useful to him.
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