may pre-determine to be cheerful, but if you are very susceptible to
bad weather, and the day should be dismal, or you should hear of the
death of a friend, or a great disaster of any kind, some depression of
spirits _must_ ensue. On the other hand, note well that forming habit
by frequent repetition of willing yourself to equanimity and
cheerfulness, and also to the banishing of repulsive images when they
come, will infallibly result in a very much happier state of mind. As
soon as you actually begin to realize that you are acquiring such
control remember that is the golden hour--and redouble your efforts.
_Perseverando vinces_.

I have, I trust, thus far in a few words explained to the reader the
rationale of a system of mental discipline based on the will, and how
by a very easy process the latter may, like Attention and Interest, be
gradually awakened. As I have before declared, everyone would like to
have a strong or vigorous will, and there is a library of books or
sermons in some form, exhorting the weak to awaken and fortify their
wills or characters, but all represent it as a hard and vigorous
process, akin to "storm and stress," battle and victory, and none
really tell us how to go about it. I have indeed only indicated that
it is by self-suggestion that the first steps are taken. Let us now
consider the early beginning of the art or science ere discussing
further developments.



CHAPTER III.

WILL DEVELOPMENT.