The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1839-10-29
II A L S q p RID E =.

II nus always been matter OF regret, to us,
that false pride could not be made like theft, a
criminal offence. 1t is the parent of about as
many crimes as any other vice-for such we
hold 1t to beat least some descriptions of it,
Wherever it is, generally leads TO improperly.
How many honest men have been made scoun-
drcls by the false pride of foolish wife, and ex-
travagant family 1t is compound OF gnor-
ance, deception and envy, ard the world is full
OF it. So long as it operates on individuals l..
lone, it is matter of trif1ing consideration bur
strange as it may appear, its influence strikes at
the very root of Il Virtuous and fourshing COM
munity. Like intemperance, it is assuming the
shape of a national rcalamity, and merits the
serious reflection of every reformer. Thousands
who have gone forth as armed knights upon
crusade against manifest evils, have themselves
been slaves to this insidious enemy. Self love
may prompt man 10 do u good action, but
false pride has never--it is incompatible with its
nature In our own country its chief mischief
consists in making labor degradation thus strk.
ing at the very foundation of our prosperous
condition as people. There never was an age
herhaps where so much scheming was resorted
to, to avoid hard work-no period that coul,i
exhibit so many Jeremy Diddlers, above stairs
and below, or manifest such wild spirit of
speculation as The present.
The rich man Of 10 day is the Lazarus Of to-
morrow Fortunes are staked upon the rise g.
tall OF stocks, rs upon the cast OF q die. Cities
are created by frauduence. In the morning all
eyes are cast upou the master spirit of enter
prise, and the evening finds him disgraced
man, within the walls of prison. Ingenuity
itself is thunderstruck at the countless methods
adopted TO retain soft hands. Why does this
great disposition so extensively prevail
Sir Walter Scott, think, says that no man
ought TO want in this country, who can buy a
Ratchet and tall tree. False pride whispers,
dis iilu strated.
Docs the successful merchant make his son n
mechanic ? Seldom. Does the professional
man make his son mechanic (? More seldom
still. But does not the more fortunate mechan
10 make his son the guardian ofcoihes and cali
Goes Is the yard stick more honorable than
the plane ?-the goose quill more honorable
than the awl ? But unfortunately the absurdi-
ty runs farther. Look back thirty or forty years
and behold the barofooted adventures, at the
present time rolling in wealth, or spending his
annual income of some three thousand dollars
per annum in manufacturing ladies' ofhis daugh-
tiers Does he teach them the usual rudiments
ofhousc wifery? Very rarely. Is it because
the healthful exercise of domestic duties is dis
graceful {? Oh no, false pride says, Il, is ungen.
teel for ladies to work'-it would tarnish their
fair hands and fingers that bring such sweet
sounds upon the piano.
How extremely ridiculous is this illegitima re
pride Thousands ofdaughters whose mothers
have been raised in a kitchen, and their fathers
in horse stable, would feel insuIted if asked il
they ever made a loa fof bread, or washed out
pocket handkerchief! They would more likely
pirate about good society, mixed company g.
the dignity of their ancestors.
A few years more roll round, and the thrifty
but imprudent parent dies and then comes the
scramble OF ten or twelve divisions of his hard
earned estate. How small does large fortune
appear when apportioned to numerous heils-
The daughters must marry gentlemen, for pride
dictates it-and also gentlemen. must souander
their patrimony. And what has the parent be-
queathed to society and his country Children
raised in idleness, without the stimulent TO add
one iota to the general substantial prosperity of
the COMMUNICATIONS Patriot.