FAILURE AND SUCCESS.

Observer, Volume 7, Issue 161, 13 October 1883, Page 3

FAILURE AND SUCCESS.

The newspapers all over the world have been full of sensational reports and editorial comments on the late Captain Webb's fatal swim in the Niagara whirlpool. One characteristic marks them all — they denounce the rashness of the attempt as little short of suicide. To some people, failure in anything is contemptible, and success glorious. Nothing succeeds like success. Poor Webb dared the mighty powers of nature and died. Other men have done the same thing and lived. They have explored unknown continents, like Livingstone, or crossed the trackless seas, like Columbus, and honours have been showered upon them, the world has rung with applause of their deeds, poets have sung their praises, and historians emblazoned their achievements on the scroll of fame. The successful soldier who leads a forlorn hope into certain death, and comes out alive and victorious, is rewarded with decorations, a pension, and the plaudit? of a nation. Captain Webb only dared to attempt what no human being had ever attempted before, and his life was the price of hit, failure. Had he succeeded, the newspapers vronF h«v. .-i.-u-r v'^-h his exploits, women would have, '.voreli'itueu bi;n, would have nsm?'- 1 tueiv wares afi^.r him, h:- woi>!d have b«en Uouiffci'f •'■" tj' -: a .■■i? •' ! rn-v-"ir.j '■ ms, end grc-itt nw-r, would ii<j.;Oo;,.:o proud i-- ■ -ke hands with the hereof the hoiii'- *im\ be 1 .:- "-'•■■ oc fallen, we bave nobuiug bur p>ty, not ncral- .:.. ".Vitiicioatempl fov iiim. This it .in agt> of h..- • vertising, noisy, giitfcer, glare, av.il atav-worsls W« Iscve nothing but appiuuee and hoiunic- * •-.-•.• the ft^ih; ballet dancer who can kick higher -:•*-• her head : we trample in the dust the brave competitor who falls in the race.