Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-09-25
SELF-MADE MEN

| We beg leave very respectfully, to recommend
the annexed chapter from the Quarterly Register
TO the poor youth of the country. The list of
names which have struggled by selfexerton from
the depths OF poverty and obscurity to eminence,
fortune 81 renoWn, might be almost indefinitely in
creased, particularly from or own country 81 Eng
land, the only lands whose institutions are favorable
to the rise of humble merit. Cromwell was the son
ola brewer Harrison of a butcher Ireton of I'M
traccabe lineage. While France was free, New
and Augercau rose to the command ofarmies from
the stable. In the United States innnmerable are
the instances of illustrious merit selfmaGe,-
Ofthc three candidates for the Presidency it is I'M
certain where Gen. jackson was horn, or how rear
ed-by the way, the best argument for him we arc
acquainted with, and which we especially recon-
mend to Amos Kenda-Mr. Wirts parentape is
humble, and Mr.. Clay is tauntngly pronounced
the son of dancing master! Patrick Henry was
the son of II poor starved parson-Danicl Webster
of New Hampshire farmer, so poor that he kent
him at plough, while Mr.. Clay about the same time
was going to m--and the illustrious SAGE of Kin.
derhood himself among all his arrogant claims has
we believe. put i'll none TO high descent, or early
advantages of education or association McDnf
he never would have been educated, but that he
first struck out some sparks which promised geuj
us; and the halls of legsa ton and the professions
show thousands of examples, hardly less shining
and equally mertorious, I'M their degree.
Do we mention these to draw rcproach up
on the origin of the persons named? Heaven for
bid! Their early obscurity is that fact in their re-
specIive Histories, which renders each and ALL most
truly i!lusrious, most especially worthy of admira-
ton and esteem. We mention them to add force
to the article from the Quarterly Register and to
contribute our widows mite to fife emulation and
excite exertion, whercsocvcr the spark of genius
may exist, throughout the regions of poverty and
obscurty. But let us, at the same time discharge
pleasant task in returning grateful acknow dye.
ments to Heaven and our ancestors, and rendering
congratulations to our countrymen, that we live
under institutions which all, the ward of
honorable exertion, which encourage the aspira
tons of genius, and which open the way for the
poorest 10 become the richest the humblest the
greatest, and the most unknown the most famous
! From the Quarterly Register:
SELF-MADE MEN.
| The late Professor Heyne of Gottingon was one
OF The gfcutcst classical scholars of his own or of
| 0py age lie succeeded the great John Matthias
| Gcsncr Professor Of Eloqienco at .Gottingen,
an office, which he held for fifty years, and in
which, by his publications, and the attractions of
his lectures, he placed himself nearly Mt the head
Of the classical scholars of his ave Yet the first
| thrty-two thirty.thrco years of his life; Inc
spent III almost Incessant 'irugge with the most
depressing poverty. His father was poor wea p
yer with large famlly.-IIcyne says that he
i has often seen his mother return home on Il Satur-
day evening, from an unsuccessful effort to sell
! the goods, which his fither had manufactured,
| weeping and wringing her hands, lie entered
the University of Lcpsc with hut four shings in
his pocket, a. nothing to depend upon but tie small,
assistance which he might receive from his god
father, Parsimonious old gentleman, who scarce
ly ever wrote 10 him, except to invogh against his
indocnce-oitcn actually addressing his letters on
the outside TO Mr. HeyDr, utter, Lcjpsic? Dur
ing all this while he allowed himself only two
nights sleep in a week
| Epicietus, the celebrated Stole Philosopher, was
born slave, and spent many years Of his life in
servliudo. This tho fact also with Tsop,
| Publius Syrus, and Terence.
Tie Abbc Hauy, who died in Plris few years
since, celebrated for his wtings and discoveries
IN Chrvsfdtography, attained his distinguished
elevation in spite Of every disadvantage of birth.
Winckclman one of the most disting usllcd wri
tcrs on classical antiquities and the fue arts, that
modern times have produced, was the son Of
i shoemaker. He coDtrycd TO keep himself at Col
lcgc, CHIEFLY by teaching some Of his younger fcI
low students, while at tho same time he in part su
ported his poor father at a hospital
/ ArnIgio, an Italian Poet, of the sixteenth cen
tury, of considerable genius and lcarniug followed
his fathers trade, Of blacksmith till he was eight
cen years old.
Benedict Bardouin, one Of tho learned men o
the 18th century, worked for many years at his IA
thors trade, that Of shoemaker and i'm the cours,
OF his life published very elaborate work, 'on Oh,
Shce,nahiug Of TIC Ancicrts'