The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-05-08
WHOLE NO. 225.

besides, what is above all price, their habits
from l4to 10 are formed in proper and safe
mould, free from incidence, vice and extra
yagance.
The very dandy who turned up his honora-
BILE nose at the Tailor driving his barouche
and pair, was actually The son Of mechanic,
and inherited a large fortune. which he does
not know how to use. In few years he will
have dssipated it in folly and extravagance,
and then become loafer, and without know
ing how To earn his bread. he will follow the
meanest trade in the word, that of begging
Let parents who have several sons. and not
means TO give them all fortunes, begin in time
to bend their minds 10 the consideration Of
useful occupations
Just as the twg is bent, .....
The tree 5 nclind."
The other day held coloquy on this
very subject with one Of my hoys-a little
fellow, full of sprightliness and ambition
. Father" said he, "what trade am TO
learn y "A lady's shoemaker, my son." "A
what 7" said the little urchin, his full blue
eyes widening with stare of aslonishment,
and his broad cheeks reddening to- the Grim
son Of pulpit cushions-a lady's shoemaker!
Why, what is the use Of my learning English,
and French, and Spanish, grammar and the
globes, arithmetic, and dancing. and playing
on the fiddle, and composition, and elocution,
and riding on horseback, if Pm only TO be
ladys shoemaker? Precisely SO, my son
when you have finished your education, you
shall learn TO be lady's shoemaker; when
you have served out your time will send you
to Paris or Madrid for a year or So to finish
your trade with the very first masters-there
they make beautiful shoes-then you shall
have store in Broadway, small capital will
set you up in business, and do you not think
that the ladies of the city would prefer we'll
educated, gentlemanly young man, with good
address and perfect master Of his art, TO take
measure of their delicate feet, than a greasy,
rough looking, rude fellow, with his fingers
all over wax! Certainly. You would be
every where patronized- work would be
praised, and your fortune soon made. Now
is not this better than putting pair Of specs
on your nose---a thread-bare black coat on
your back---Blacks'one in your hands, wait
ing day after day for a client?" Swell, but
father" said he, you will give me as much
money as want when | am man---there is
no use in my working" . Yes, but there it
is. my boy---you must earn money by your
industry-were to give you money and
bring you up in idleness, what would become
Of you when the money was all gone I" The
lutte fellow did not exactly understand the
philosophy Of such conclusions, but as he
grows older he will view the matter in pro-
per light. After all said, much depends on
the good counsel of mothers in laying the
foundation for a sound superslructure in the
minds CT their sons. Let widow left only
in moderate circumstances, have four intelli-
gent. well educated boys, who have honura-
bly, and successfully served out their times
in some mechanical business, and see how
much more comfortable are her prospects in
old age, than if she had four boys depending
on precarious professional pursuits for liv-
ing
This reasoning partially applies to daugh-
tiers, who are by far less troublesome and
difficult 10 manage than sons. 1t is incredi-
BILE how many avenues to comfort and en-
ployment are opened to girls, if they are in
dustliously disposed There are three young
ladies, daughters of respectable but mode
ratey circumstanced family, remarkable for
neatness of dress and reserved manner,
attributed by many TO pride. Calling it at
rather an unusual visiting hour, found the
mother and daughters employed in making
muslin shirts, for which they received only a
shilling a piece, and they frankly Informed
me that they clothed themselves entirely by
their needle. The cause Of their pride was
thus eyplained-it was the pride Of conscious
independence.