, 1840-12-26
MISCELLANEOUS.
From the Family Magazine
ENCOURAGEMENT TO YOUNG MEN.
BY S. G. ARNOLD.

The celebrated Hannah More tells a
beautiful story Of an old clock, which sud
denly came to the resolution to stop ticking,
in consequence Of having thought over the
vast number of ticks which it would be OBJ,
liged to make in a given time; but which was
induced to resume its accustomed labor. on
learning that although it was required to
make such an incredible number Of strokes,
vet a certain amount of time would always
be given for a tick. and although i thousand
strokes might be thought ofin a moment it
would not be required to accomplish them in
many hours.
Now it has often appeared to mt that
young men are discouraged from making
those exertions which are necessary TO sue
cess in playing the great drama of life, by
precisely the same reasons which governed
the farmers old clock. When they look
forward TO the toll, p.ivations. and self de-
NAL which are required To obtain knowledge
and distinction, they are startled al the sight,
and although many of them set out with the
best intentions and the most praise worthy
ambition vet as soon as they find that
knowledge is not obtained by institution, but
is the result of the hard and incessant toll.
thew weary in the way of well doing, and, like
the old clock, soon become tired Of ticking.
There is another class of Young persons
who seem to be impressed with an idea that
the mantle of greatness. like the dew OF
heaven, falls upon the "iftc1 snns Of genious
unasked and u~nSought-that 1t is not so much
the result of effort as OF f0rtune-and deem
ing it beyond their reach. they fail to put
forth those exertions which are absolutely
REQUESTS to success. and without which :hev
can never attain to any high degree Of excel.
lence, however literally they may have
been endowed bv nature. This is a delusion
which cannot be too soon dispeIled. An
honorable distinction il purrii>ei only by toll
and self-denial--bv painful vIgIs. and per
s~erering efforts. Ii requires the same steady
and uncea<inI ap!lIrl'rnn which was exhibit
ed in the pendulu.n of'he farmers clock, and
like that clock. il will be well Tor all our
Young friends 10 reflect that although MANY
ticks must be made before they arrive at The
consumation of their hopes, yet a moment
will always be allowed for the accomplish
ment of each TICK.
know many complain that they have
not time-tl.at they are obliged TO labor for
their bread-that Providence has denied to
them the means Of storing their minds with
knowledge. But is this really true! Is it
not rather true that most young men waste
the time which has been abundantly provid-
ed for the cultivation Of their minds, in the
poluting haunts of dissipation--in scenes of
idleness and acknowledgements the v~anities
and follies of fashionable life? Is it not true
that they squander their time in a most wan
ton and wasteful manner without any just
appreciation Of its value or any apparent
knowledge Of the mighty results which would
follow its careful improvement?
Look at the example Of that %persevering
Young man, William Cobbetti Born of poor
and obscure parents, he was brought up
without education, and at the age of twenty
he was scarcely able to read int~elligibly.-
At this time, or soon after, he ran away from
home, and found himself in London with
only half a crown IN his pocket. He how.
ever fortunately found employment and de.
voted his spare moments to the improve
ment of his mind, and at the end ola year
had read all the books of a circulating libra.
nv, to which he found means to subscribe, and
had made himselfa very fair writer. After
this he enlisted as a soldier and came to
America, where he underwent many hard
ships, but amid them all obstinately persever-
ed IN the cultivation of his mind; and in the
tumuit and hustle ola camp, commenced and
completed the study Of the English Grammar.
By such means it twas that Mr.. Goblet
became one Of the most powerful and volu-
minous writers of the age; and finally, raised
himself to a seat in the British Parliament
By such means the poor unlettered boy,