Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1839-11-28

II Too MucB PRosPERIrY.-Thero is an old
/ ia ashioned remark. very frequently repeated
| IN modern DAYS which says, Too much OF a
4 good thing" &c. AT the first glance, the
saying appears somewhat parudoxlcal but
I il is true nevertheless, that there may be too
much of a good thing 1t is however true
only when the good things is used to excess,
or applied, as most things may be, to bad
purpose. On the latter principle only, We
believe there can be too much prosperity.
\ When, by On extremely prosperous busl-
ness, man is induced Ia extend himself in
an extraordinary manner and 10 put himself
10 condition in which the least uniavOrablc
turn in the times will be certain to subject
him TO loss, distress, and perhaps to utter
prostraion and ruin, we conclude he has had
too much prosperity. II is that which has
raised his hopes, excited his ambition, and
encouraged him 10 overstep the bounds OF
prudence. Whereas had his prosperity been
less his prospects and hopes would have heen
less expensive, and he would have been more
likely 10 keep his business within his control,
and conforrnable to his means. Besides,
others would have been careful about their
credits, aud there would have been more
/ difficulty in contracting debts.
\ When men engaged in business, en-
| couraged by large profits, run into an extrnv-
|, agant style of living, aud outgO their income,
| it affords evidence OF too much prosperity
| Light come, light 90, " is another old saying,
! which our ancestors thought worthy 10 be
| kept in mind. He who finds his income
large, as general rule, looks on money as
being diminished in value, in an inverse ratio
II comes easy, and he spends good deal
Once entered on the high road Of extrava.
gsnce, it is hard to stop. Ono act Of folly
leads to another. And though he may be
sensible that he is going beyond his income
this year. the person who gives way to habit,
easily pcrsuadcs himself that the increased
profits of an enlarged business during the
coming year, will make up the deficiency.
4 But, the next year comes. With it comes
change. Some adverse circumstances have
given a shock to the mercantile world, and
deranged all It's plans and operations. And
a train of events occur in quick succession,
prophetic OF evils which will require years TO
overcome The deficiency cannot DC made
up. And after considerable delay, for 1t is
n hard thing to commence retrenchment, ex-
|. penses may he reduced but too late. The
l mischief has already been done and the con-
/ sequences must be met. Too much pros.
perlty is the true cause of the evil. Had the
sufferer found his industry and strict niten-
ton necessary to support himself and family
in a snug and prudent manner, and to lay by
moderate sum per onnum Tor future exl.
gencles, he wonld have been mos! likely to
avoid the extravagaDces which have ruined
him. lie would have learned the value of
money, by the labour requisite to obtain 1t
and studied irugalny and economy, instead
of sacrificing all for the paltry purpose of
show. BY that course, he would have con-
tnually strengthened himself; and, when the
storm Of adversely cane, instead OF being
wrecked by 1t he might have been prepared
to weather it manfuly, and to succor others.
1t is fatal error with many who imagine
themselves prosperous IN business and who
very probably may be so, that they have so
much else to attend TO, that they are not
able to foot up the columns of debt and credit,
and to strike the balance. They contract
the habit Of thinking all they have, to be their
own. They live accordingly. And the first
notice they have Of their error, is their ina
bllity to meet demands against them. A
more moderate prosperity, imaginary or real,
would have given them more time, and more
Of disposition, TO scrutinlze their private
concerns, md would have been very likely TO
save them from the evils and modification
of bankruptcy.
Prosperity is pleasant and beneficial to
individuals, and to nations. But state Of
things calculated to promote the gradual
though certain increase Of wealth, by means
Of full exercise OF business talents and active
industry, is much more beneficial 10 either.
and to all. than that Of which we sometimes
boast, as uNgxAMPLED PROSPERITY" The
former teaches prudence and economy. The
latter, like a fortunate ticket in a lottery, puts
wealth into our hands, without an equivalent
in labor. teaches us 10 undervalue IT practi-
cally, aud learns vs. TO scatter il with pro.
fusion that bears comparison with the ease
which il was gathered. Prosperity IN the
accumulation of wealth has ruined moro na
,ions and individuals than pecuniary adver.
sny. Riches have destroyed more than pov.
erty.-l Connecticut CoHrdnt.