168
GEORGE WALLACE MELVILLE
philosophical movement. The books most helpful to him in his life work were those upon mathematics, physics and political economy. He adopted the profession of engineer from personal preference and love of work; and a "desire to win" prompted him to strive for excellence in his profession. His home life, the precepts and example of his father and mother and the frugal and careful life that is characteristic of the Scotch, impelled him to such success in life as he has won. His "only regret is that life is so short—there being so much hard work to do and so little done." To young men he would say: "Be studious, frugal, limit all wants to necessities, work, work, work! Do not marry young—that to my mind was my only mistake in life."
