Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1835-09-10
D,DACrrc.
Hem the .iisrsndris Ca-siis.
APPRENTICES.

some OF the useful trades or business
avocations OF life. The number, in
experience, and uncertain fate Of
these youths, render them interesting
subjects for the reflection of the phi
lanthropist, and the untiring cxertions
of all good citizens in their behalf
II "the greatest happinessof the great
est number" be an object worthy of
our study and constant aim, there GER
tainly can be no better point at which
TO commence our efforts TO accomplish
this result. than the gradual improve
ment Of the rising generation Of work.
ing men, the cultivation oftheir minds,
the grating Of wisdom and virtue in
their hearts, and the preparation OF
their tempers, dispositions. and habits,
Tor the active scenes of life and their
own future responsibility.
OF the thousands of boys who are an
nually, IN this country, put out to learn
trades, we very much fear that, but
few, indeed, commence their new re-
lations with proper ideas Of what they
owe either to themselves or others
For the most part, they are taken TO
masters and received by them simply
and solely to learn TO work and do a
certain quantity of labor. Here the
first error is committed. The disci-
pline then adopted has reference en-
tirely 10 this object alone, and contin-
ued through the whole apprenticeship,
too, often ends in turning out a Young
man upon the world, capable indeed OF
earning his bread by his daily labor,
but incapable in all other respects OF
passing through life creditably.
II true. and no more than lust, that
one principal object of both master
and apprentice should be, the teaching
on the one part and the learning on
the other, of habits of industry. To
be always active and never eat the
bread of idleness, should be as much
the pride as the duty Of every appren-
tice. He finds the advantage, during
all his days of boyhood, of pursuing
this course, in the increased respect OF
his msster--the favor and appreciation
of his seniors, and the involuntary
praise that is bestowed upon him by
his companions, TO whom his conduc,
is an example. But il is hereafter
that he il TO reap the fruits and gather
the rich rewards of his early laboring
hours. When he arrives at manhood
he will look back and smile at the re.
collection Of what he once thought
perhaps, to be irksome labor, but will
then acknowledge to be a wholesome
preparation for manly toll A lazy,
idle boy, is almost invariably, discon-
tented and unhappy in any situation in
which he is placed-hc is made so, by
the consciousness of his own bad con.
duct, by the jibes and jeers of his fell
lows, and the frowns or dislike ofthose
placed over him. The industrious boy
on the contrary, is cheerful and lively;
winning the good opinion Of others and
enjoying the self-satisfaction conse-
quent upon the performance Of his du-
ty.
We have said that il was the mas
ter's duty TO instiI the principle Of in.
dustry into the boys mind-and this,
not so much because il is his own an
feTeSf 10 do so, as because his regard
for the welfare Of his ward ough; 10
make II also has pride and PLEASURE
TO make his teaching ehectual, he
should himself set the example by dill.
gent application in his pursuits and a
constant attention 10 his business
Having, thus, always before his eyes,
the living proof of the good effects OF
what is held up as worthy Of hi attcn-
ton, it will argue a radical defect in
his disposition, if the pupil does not al
least attempt 90 initiate the master,
in what is so easy TO acquire.
Bot there are other things that should
be attended to in the management OF
an apprentice. IL would be- but a
small point gained. indeed, if We
should succeed alone in making him
pleased with useful work. Connected
with this, he should be early taught 10
be frugal, careful, honest and attentive.
While he studies his masters interests,
and benefits him in these particulars
he Is laying the foundation Of his own
characterize is strengthening all his
own correct principles--and cleansing
his disposition from many Of the vices
and follics too often found i'm youth
The relation between master and APP
prentice Is very intimate one. A
good master will treat and act tow ard.
an apprentice a. , father tow ards a son,
or a guardian in behalf Of his ward
The gratitude Of the latter for proteo-
ton and kindness will beget favor and
affection in the former. His sense ol
justice and the honorable principles in
culcated By a judicious master ought
ever 70 induce the boy TO act in all
that concerns hiss masters interests as
he would in al that would concern
his fathers interests. lie should new
er wrong him himself, nor suffer others
70 WRONG him. lie should ncver " asie
or destroy his property nor allow Il 10
be neglected 20 his injury. II he viii
llngiy or wantonly does that against
which he Is here cautioned, he com
miis an offence which, even II not de-
iected now, will carry its own punish