Litchfield enquirer., 1840-08-27
From the Worcester Kgis. TO THE YOUNG OF BOTH SEXES


 I It is of great importance that persons in early life, should prepare themselves for the part they are to act in society. There is a strong desire in both sexes to rise to respec- liability, and this is highly commcndable 1; but many persons err in their attempts to gain their object
 A principal cause of the failure of young people to reach the object of their desire is, the attempt to get rich scithom labor. In this way they often aim at an object without the means to accomplish it. Thus, for many years past. young men have entered on husi- ness with borrowed capital, to an extent never before known they have calculated upon profits which were precarious they have neglected to calculate the chances of sudden declensions in business they have entered upon housekeeping with extrava- gant purchases of furniture; they have mostly taited, and reduced themselves and >:-:'.'--s to poverty. The failures and the distress which have oCcS:: oC-tc,s m this country within few years, exceed every thing pro bably that ever before happened.
 Young friends, learn wisdom. It is nor the order of Providence that mankind should have blessing and prosperity without labor. It is best for mankind that this should be the order of things; good moral habits are formed by industry sudden acquisitions of property tend to prevent the formation of such habits they are often ruinous 10 mor- als. Moderate acquisitions of property gen. crate good habits-the habits of prudence, of foresight, and correct calculations of what is practicable.
 The desire of reaching respectable standing in life has led many to renounce labor for books, with the expectation that they can live by learning. But the number of persons who can gain subsistence by learning is comparatively small The pro- rcssions are full 10 overflow ing unless that of the gospel ministry may be excepted.- By far the greatest part of mankind arc des tined to labor, without which society cannot be supported.
 In forming a plan of business for life. therefore, the first requisite is to determine the course to be pursued, the occupation which is 10 be followed, and then to devote all possible attention to gain the qualifica- ,ions essential to success in that occupation. In this preliminary to success, persons very often make great mistakes.
 If young man is to be farmer, he must begin when boy, and continue in that busl- ness. He must gain knowledge by experi- ence, and muscular strength by labor Books and learning will never make farmers.
 If young man is to be mechanic, he must begin his art when young. and -perse- were in it, and be thoroughly master of every part of his business. Books "nd learning cannot supply the want of labor anc expert ence. Farmers and artisans cannot be m6"e in the school house or college. Most of the studies cultivated in our seminaries of learn- ing, however useful to professional men. are not applicable at all 10 the common occupa- tions of life. This the writer knows by eX- perience.
 It is with females as with males; they de- sire to live without labor and thousands of them fail of obtaining a good settlement in life, by aiming at what cannot be obtain- ed. Hence the high schools often become nurseries of old maids. The daughters of wealthy men, who are sure of the means of living without labor, and such as are fortu- nate enough to marry men of affiuence. may be justified in devoting many years to lan- guagcs and sciences which they are never to use but how small comparatively is this number!
 Most of the people of this country possess small estates, which when divided will not support their children. Hence it often hap pens that children whom the father can SUD- port in genteel style, fail at his death of the means of subsistence. Hence probably no country presents so many instances of young persons of both sexes educated abore tteir con- diiion, as the United States. Many persons and families, within the knowledge of the writer, have been ruined or doomed to strug gle with diversity all their lives, from this mistake. They begin wrong they expect to be gentlemen and ladies, without the means of supporting themselves in such style.
 Equally mistaken are many of the daugh. ters of poor families. Some of them enter manufactures, where they get good wages, and dress in rich attire; neglecting 10 gain thorough knowledge of housekeeping. the very knowledge which they most want to in- sure them a good settlement. Young men of industry want wives that are good house. keepers. They do not seek females for their dexterity in tending spools but for those who are accustomed to all the work of family whereas such as arc not Gccustom- ed to house work, often check or prevent the prosperity of their husbands sometimes they ruin them.
 Much less do men in the ordinary occupa- lions of life, seek for females who have stud jed geometry, algebra, rhetoric, zoology and the higher mathematics. Such sciences are of no use to them, in discharging their duties as wives, mothers, or house. keepers; they are soon forgotten, and if not. never used nor do they ever become subjects of conver- sation. In the course of thirty years obser- vation, the writer has never known female thus educated to make the least use of such sciences not even in the families of the afIluent. Books on such subjects. read in after life, for the purpose of gratifying curi- osity or enlarging the knowledge of the works of nature. may be useful for these pur- poses among those who have leisure 1; but not being necessary to qualify females for their duties. should not be part of school cduca- tion.
 In no particular, is the folly of females more remarkable than in their estimate of labor. They seem to think it disgracing to