By a careful perusal of what has been said, it will be seen that the undertaking of a successful invention is no easy task, and that it cannot fall to one's lot by mere chance.

It is quite true that, like the diamond, the inventor, the general, orator, or writer is born. But be it also remembered that even a diamond has to be cut, ground, and polished before it attains its lustre, and the inventor or general, writer and orator are no exceptions to the rule.

The general could not conquer a valiant foe if he did not master the science of war, or if he failed to familiarize himself with most of the conspicuous experiences of others in the same profession.

The writer and orator would have no audience if they failed to fertilize their brains with rich stores of knowledge to draw upon, and with proper means of expressing themselves.

And the inventor is generally doomed to failure if he fails to earnestly apply himself to the acquisition and mastery of that knowledge which is potent to successful invention in the mechanical line, and to get his just or fair share of its value.

Numerous and deep are the pitfalls that the would-be-successful inventor must avoid. Rich and powerful are the members of the fraternity who thrive and fatten on him, through his short-comings of "Omission or Commission." At every stage of his progress he has to combat a new set and different kinds of vampires, each attacking him with different weapons, and in different 32 33 34 ways, who consider the unlucky inventor their natural and legitimate prey. These men respectively garb their duplicity with the respectable name of a "profession," and justify the means of robbing him of his just and hard earnings, with the all-condoning name of "Modern Business Methods."

As numerous and as pitiful as are the various victims constantly thrown up by the waves of passion and folly on the sterile shore of "human indifference," none are more so than they who have nothing better than the promptings of a more-than-ordinary share of vanity and conceit to aspire to the honors and rewards of successful inventors. Foolishly do they imagine it a short and easy cut to opulence and ease. Enthused with their delusion, they become unfitted for their usual occupations, and are encouraged to persevere in their fallacies by the slick, cunning sharks whose inevitable prey they become through it. These not only take their very last dollar, but very often the substance of those depending upon them; until at last, poor, ruined, deluded fools, they wake up to the realization of the grand truth, "THAT ONE GETS NOTHING FOR NOTHING," not even experience. But it is none the less unfortunately true, that those very victims themselves are responsible for the existence of the means and conditions for their undoing. If perchance in the outset of their ruinous career, they encounter one who would give them competent and honest advice, if it be at variance with their own ill-conceived notions and pride, he will receive insults for his pains, and be deprived of the opportunity of rendering any services to the profession of which his ability and integrity makes him a creditable and honorable member.