The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1839-07-16
M e & III A MICS T..

w II ~ IN v
In the life of Benjamin Franklin, American
Me chanics have pattern, which If followed, will
render them Intelligent affluent and universally re
spected. This distinguished citizen commenced life
still do most Of mechanics with capital but
his hands, and with trade better than almost
every trade that contributes to the comfortable sup
port OF life. He possessed superior skill in his
department., and h ad not the aid of powerful or
wealthy fiiends to secure him patronage. Un-
aided and unfrended he commenced the world
alone, and rose step by step until he became one Of
the most wealthy and respected citizens of our
young republic. lie filed some of the highest and
most responsible stations in government both at
homo and abroad and while in private life he was ,
universally esteemed in his country, he re-
ceived the fattering attention from the court
ly circles of Europe.
The enquiry may be made, by what means could
a simple American mechanic rise to such afluence
and distinction Is the path that he trode still OPP
en- to mechanics of the present day? There were
some principles developed IN the life OF franklin,
which served in great degree to secure to him
the success which he met with, though undoubed-
ly natural strong mind and sound judgment con-
tributed largely to that But other me-
chanics, by practising those principles, may still
reach the same seininence that he did
Il constant application to business was one of
those principles which lay at the foundation of
his fortunes This enabled him accomplish a
great amount of labor, the same time that it &C
commodated his customers, by their being able to
find him at his post whenever they wished to en-
ploy him. This trait in his character, also, inspir-
ed community with confidence in him, which
disposed liberal individuals to proffer him assist.
ance, either by lending him money, by procur-
ing work for HIM. For the purpose of establish
ing his credit and acquiring character for puncu-
alitY, he would sometimes take money which was
offered him, and lay it by till the day for which it
was borrowed had expired, and then return the
same money.
Another important princ pie upon which he con.
Quoted his business, to keep has aoork in such
situation to execute his orders specially. Custom
ers to all nee hancs seldom call for the articles
they wish until about the time they want to use
them and the Inconvenience of long delay is
such, that customers will almost invariably give
their custom to those who most speedily exc.
cute their orders. There is no necessity nor ad-
vantage in such delays the part of mechanics,
for in almost every their work can be kept in
such state of forwardness to answer orders i'm
mediately or at very short notice, and no time
or labor is required than fseveral weeks months
orders suffered to accumulate.
PunctIattty an executing has orders by the time
promised, was another characteristic trait of his
business character and without this sterling vr-
tue in a mechanic, he cannot and should not en-.
joy the confidence and patronage of community
There is moral wrong in habitually violating
promises, and the mechanic who practises it should
be placed on the same footing with any other man,
who is in daily habit of uttering falsehoods. AL
though the deception which he practses may not
irritating in the extreme, az people will not patiently
endure it; and if Benjamin Franklin had practised
1t, he would never have occupied the high station
which he did, nor have possessed in any degree the
confidence OF society. Let the mechanic who has
fallen into the habit of thus violating his promises
consider it fatal to his success and prosperity, and
to his standing in society; and every faculty
of soul and body to burst its shackes
Another principle which was adopted by Frank.
lin, was alaoays to haze his ,oork seeU done, and
never let his customers leave him without being
perfectly satisfied. A constant and careful atten.
ton to business, will always ensure good work land
reputation will thus be acquired which will
induce his customers to forsale him.
BY practising these principles which carried
Franklin so honorably through !lifc, mechanics Of
the present day may rise to stations of high
spectability and secure to themselves honorable
'hoePenoence, and proud may New England be 10
see so many of her sons, following their truly no,
BILE pattern in greater or less degree But tho
mechanic who is seen spending great part of his
time at the stores taverns, who can never exc
cute an order until he has finished some dozen or
two previous ones, and then in an imperfect man.
ner, and who can lightly disappo;nt his customers
time aHer lime by falling to fulfil his promises,
must not complain if he finds poverty to be his
lot, or if he is lightly esteemed by his fellow o
zens. p
When you hear young lady ridculing her 40.