Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1835-09-10

virtue ought to be impressed upon the
mind of every boy. He ought To be
taught TO tell the truth, in all possible
situations in which he can be placed
There is nothing easier, nothing safer,
even in difficulties, and he will soon
find that manly adherence TO this
virtue will carry him along triumphant
ly-whcn the shutting equiyoca tor
will be caught in his own devices, and
consigned TO contempt or ignominy.
Train up child in the way he
should go, and when he IS old he will
not depart from it." is applicable in a
striking degree to the bringing up Of
boys in the mechanical occupations or
trades. Separated from parental care,
they require a constant training" TO
make up for the loss Of those who, by
nature, would be most strict in watch
ing over them and guiding them in
their earlier walks in life. Along,
therefore, with the good example of
the master-his good manners, and
his good conversaiion-there should
be no deficiency OF good books. Where
yer the disposition to read and acquire
knowledge is perceived, IT ough. 70 be
encouraged. Nothing Is more condu-
Give To correct department and conduct,
and nothing more likely TO benefit.
than the perusal Of useful works. In
the present age, emphatically called
the "age of improvement" there is
no lack OF all that boy need want, in
the way of books, 20 enable him readi-
ly TO acquire great deal Of knowledge
in short time, and with periec, case
and even pleasure to himself. We
must not here, also. omit 10 mention
the necessity of instilling into the
mind, along With the desire OF gaining
information, the wish Of being disiin-
guished for virtuous and correct de-
pertinent. A reverence for religion
respect for the Sabbath willing
ness TO attend at stated periods, divine
service-proprie;y of language and be-
Undergraduates and obedience;-
all these mark the boy destined to be
an honorable and useful member of So
ciety, just as surely as profanity, Sab
ba,h-breaking, late hours, bad compa-
ny, perverseness, indicate the young
man following rapidly the road TO ruin,
misery and wretchedness. When we
see young mechanic lettering about
the corners during church hours on
Sunday or arriving at home at hours
far advanced in the night-drinking,
csrousiDg, or gaming-associating with
loose, dissipatcd or abandoned charac-
tiers, whatever good qualities he may
possess, we know that he is at once
placed under the ban Of the displeas-
ure of all correct men in the commune
| ~. The inclination 10 encourage or
think well OF him is lost in the dctes-
tation of such conduct, and If he re-
mains where he is raised. although has
subsequent course may give evidence
of an alteration in his mode Of life, il
will take years and years to remove
the preiudices thus excited and the un-
favorable impressions thus created
la the estimate that Is made Of n man S
character by those amongst whom he
was raised. 1t invariably happens that
an account is taken Of his habits while
a boy, and a deduction or addition
made accordingly.
The state Of apprenticeship is one
only of preparation. II is the school
of active life. II is TO train the boy for
the duties of manhood. II in this vo-
cation be pursues the path of industry
and rcetilude, he completes one stage
Of his career profitably and hCnorably
He takes his place among men of cha
racter as himself a man Of character.
/ He comes out into the world with The
Recommendation and favor of bis old
master-the good wishes OF his friends
the hopes of bis family: and II is has
own fault, afterwards, If he does not
maintain that standing which he has
thus acquired.
I We have spoken Of the propricty Of
insiilling high and honorable principles
into the minds OF boys learning trades.
Nor do we now narrow or contract the
expression-but desire u 10 be taken
in ITS broadest signifcaiion. Ia this
country, The industrious mechanic Is
as honorcd and as worthy OF honor a.
the professional man. pom him. de-
pends, as one Of the largest class ~ all
business communities, the task mann
/ ", Of protecting, and preserving the
institutions, Of bis country. There D
no barrier 10 his access 10 the highest
stations. Tic can compete and success
fully compete with any opponent
lie can strive for. and win too, the
wreath with hich science and llicTa-
ture and learning adorn the names Of
their votancs. Why, then, should not
the young mechanic, pursuing the
noiscless tenor Of his way. learn ia his
workshop 60 place a proper value upon
las character. and al those principles
which, combined constitute that cha
racieri Why should he yield 90 others
in early forming his mind after tie
brightest models lie has iiiustrious
examples Of what can be accomplish
led BY talents and virtue. lie knows
that Roger sherman was a shoemaker 5
apprentice, that Nathaniel Greene vas