Page:Anecdotescatechi00spiruoft.djvu/106

 but it  is  a duty  incumbent  on  every  one. Charlemagne’s daughters would  put  to  shame  many  of  the young ladies  of  the  present  day.

Sloth here  leads  to  misery  hereafter. In Holland long ago  in  early  times  people  who  would  not  work were subjected  to  the  following  punishment: They were confined  singly  in  a small  cell,  into  which  a stream  of  water  constantly  flowed. The occupant  of the  cell  was  forced,  to  save  himself  from  being drowned, to  pump  the  water  out; for  this  purpose there was  a handle  in  the  wall. The amount  of water  that  flowed  into  the  cell  was  proportioned  to the  strength  of  the  man  who  had  to  pump  it  out; and the  quantity  was  increased  every  day. By this means the  limbs  stiffened  by  want  of  use  were  rendered supple,  and  the  indolent  members  of  society soon begged  to  be  released  from  their  unwelcome task, and  gladly  accepted  less  toilsome  and  more profitable work. In a future  life  the  slothful  will not escape  the  divine  chastisements.