Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1838-09-20


fathers house of mania-a.pota.
This, reader, is NJ fiction. Name and
localities are only requisite TO identity these
facts in the memories Of many, with tne
history Of a family now almost extinct
Yet, even without this key, 100 ready an
application Of it my be made to numerous
families, within the observallan OF ever.
New England reader.
Besides Edward, there we're two broth
ers and sister, younger than himself, who
fortunately, did not survive long enough TO
become either lady or gentleman.
Three years after the conversation re-
corded above, Edward entered the sopho
more class at Cambridge. His manners
were polished, his address winning, his tai
enis of a high order. After six weeks he
was the most popular of his class, both
with the faculty and his class mates; while
many young gentlemen of the upper class
sought his acquaintance. His associates
were among the wealihiest in college; has
good nature. gentlemanly air, irresistible
wit, and high standing in his class. render
ed his society universally sought after
The fret year, his bills were paid ny his
father, and he was allowed fifty dollars dur
ing the year for spending money. This he
laid out in books; for he neither gambled
nor INDUCED in the expensive habits, which
could be afforded by others When in the
height of his popularity and scholastic
fame, letter came, in reply to one ne had
written to his father for a remittance, 10
purchase few necessary books, stating
that business was dull, his profits small,
and that it was more expensive at college
than he supposed il would be-" And af-
ter two pages of advice in relation to the
necessity of preserving his standing as a
gentleman, he wound up with the sugges-
ton ''that as he could not afford to pay
such large bills any longer, he had best
work the rest of his way through college
by keeping school during the vacations
A bank note for twenty dollars was inclosed
with the intimation that he must expect but
little more assistance from hum, as he had
his two brothers and sisters TO educate;
that he was getting old, and times were
hard.
1t would be difficult to picture the morti-
fcation of sensitive high-minded young
man, at such an announcement. II e term--
bills would, in few days, be presented.
Minor accompis, usually liquidated at the
same time, were also unpaid. But these,
difficulties. though instantly occurring TO
his mind, did not so much affect him as the
sudden change this conduct of his father,
must produce in his situation. Educated
like gentleman, his most intimate associ-
htes had been with those young aris,ocrats
of the college, who had wealth to support
their pretensions With the "bsn. feiaries,
those noble minded young men, who seek
science through her most thorny paths,
those of poverty and coniumely, he had
never associafed-they were species of
literary operatives, whom he had not yet
decided whether to class with mechanics or
gentlemen. He groaned bitterly as he felt
that he was degraded to their caste. IL
was late at night when he received the let !
ter, and after pacing the room a long time
in mental agitation, he seized his hat and
hastened TO the presidents room. The
usual lamp shone in the window. He tap
ped lightly at the door and entered. The
venerable doctor Kriken, who was engag-
ed over his desk, raised his head, and po-
litely invited him to be seated.
Edward laid his fathers letter upon The
desk, saying hastily, "A letter from my
father, sir.
The president read it, and shook his
head as if displeased at its contents.
II sympathize with you, Brlden. This
is not the first case Of the kind have met
with since my connection with this in
stitution. This infatuation among the class
to which your father belongs, of making
gentlemen of their sons, when they cannot
allow them the means to Sustain the rank
of such, has been the ruin of many prom /
Using young men. 1t is mistaken notion,
and one fruitful with the most baneful con
sequences, that youth, to be made a gen /
tleman of, must become a member of
one of the learned professions; and,
that to be member of one of these. he
must first pass through college. 1t is a,
'fnischievous error, and must be eradicated.
1t is daily doing incaculable injury to So
ciety. Experience must soon teach such
persons the unsoundness of the position
they have assumed, and convince them that !
an independent farmer or mechanic (which
all may become who will, is intrinsicaly a
better gentleman and far more useful
member of society, than an impoverished
lawyer or doctor, or a minister who has be-
come such that he may be one in the ranks
of, Ito use an English term, for which, in
America. we neither have nor should have
q corresponding word. the "gcniry.'
The president concluded nv gjvinu him