Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1839-11-21
APPRENTICES.

| We notice, in the Bangor Wing, some ey-
celient advice to apprentices. In no country
are the Inducements to good conduct or the
rewards OF industry and fidelity greater to
this interesting class of youth than in the u
nlted States. A good trade is a possession
cheaply bought by the service of an appren
ticeshlp; ltmay be the guarantee of indepen-
dence Tor LIE. Not, indeed, the independ-
ence OF Idleness, which is a thing not To be
desired; but that kind Of independence which
| inspires man with self subsistinr conf
dence In his powers, and teaches him to feel
that he is an integer in society, capable of
holding his place without servility to any.
apprenticeship is mode ofeducation. The
knowledge acquired by it, like that which is
learned at universities, enters into the cor.
sti!dtion OF the man, and makes part of him
| 1t is ms 0Wm. There is this difference
howovcr-the knowledge which apprentice,
ship teaches IS practical-the learnipg derived
from books, not always so. The ORIGINAL
word from which the term apprenticeship is
taken, means to learn, to ks,oac
Ihere Is an Interesting story-or, rather.
mere a'aS, before s'Nurray's Inro9uction''
ceased to be school book, entitled the 8. IA.
ole Ba&het N1ker,' wherein an account ia
given OF young German nobleman, who.
having solicited the hand of a fair lady. was
rejected by her father, unless he would learn
some usefal trade. Like true lover he 90.
'GGcpted the condition, and acquired the art Of
basket making, which consequent reverse
oil fortune rendered the means OF support for
.iiniseil ana tahliy-the event thus justifying
'he cautious prudence of the father.
In England, during the sixteenth cen,,rv
and carrier, when arts and trades were in
Their infancy, the knowledge of any sort of
useiui erait was a thing OF GREAT cons;dera-
ton, and 1t was no small favor to be adnitted
INTO the number ofapprentices. These youths
constituted distinct class in London; thew
wore the badges of their fraternity. and were.
united together IN very brotherly associa
ten. Hogarth's pictures of the two anDren-
tees IS mere CT less familiar to every bodv-
The one is Industrious, the other idle. TIC
series consists of several pictures, each rem
fesenting the progress OF the two. The IN
dustrious and faithful! youth grows in the ns.
tenn OF his master, Inarries his DAUGHTER 10
made partner III business, and finally bc.
comes Lord Mayor ofLondon. The ;dlajad
associates with vicious companions, dislikes
ms BUSINESS more and more, takes TO evil
courses, and is at last brought to trial before
his Old companion, now high civil function~
aTy, who IS obliged to pronounce sentence of
transportation upon former associate. who
having neglected the advantages which the
| other improved, terminated his career in /,
disgraceful ssamer.
In tins country, an apprentice may rise 70
any station TO which his merits entitle hin
The means Of self-improvement, the field Of
eXertlon, the inducements 10 actcity are am
pie and vigorous spirit need despair of nc
tning IN the way of honorable attainment.
10 become good citizen, possessing the
respect and confidence of the conmunifv. il
within the power of every one; and nothinm
is more likely TO aid in gaining such posi-
ton than youth ofindustry devoted to some
useful calling. -Badimore .2mericasi.