The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1841-08-21
IF | WERE.

1t is very apt to be the case thata man
, would doe great many good things if he
wcrc SO and so situated, but that trouble
some word ''lt'' is apt to interfere with his
good intentions. His professions are of
the most patriotic and praisewor,hy kind,
and he would be the most kind-heartcd,
the most generous, the most bene75.eht
man in the world, if it were not for certain
things which intervene to prevent the full
iil!mcnt of his noble designs. ~.
Ii were merchant, says Die, / would
always transact all my business in the
most honorable way, would never take
advantage Of another. would deal hon
estly with all, would accumulate for
tune, and would leave my children iu-
dependent Of the world.
If were farmer, would devote my
whole attention to the cultivation OF the
soil ] would raise the largest crops Of
wheat, the greatest number of bushels of
potatoes to the acre, the largest cabbage
heads, and i would have the neatest and
best managed farm in the town.
| If werca rich man, would appropriate
all my surplus income to charitable pur-
poses.
If + were a lawyer, would Always
plead the cause of the poor and oppress-
ed, and would deduct large amount Of
the fees for my services, would 60 a.
ganst oppression i'll all cases whether it
would subserve my interest or not. I
would act for the general good of mankind
regardless of self'in!crest; would make
my own clnolumcnt secondary to that Of
others.
| If were a tailor, I would not take
more than reasonable quantity Of cab.
bagc, and ] would always have a garment
done and sent home at the time promis-
ed it.
If were physician, would always
attend upon the pocr gratis, and / would
not charge half 80 much for feeling the
pulse or extracting a tooth as the regular
practitioners do. would devote my time
and services for the benefit Of the public
generally.
If were mechanic, would devote
all my time to my profession, and ! would
always punctually execute all tic orders
sent to me.
If were a soaplock, would have tho
scissors applied to nv hair at once, and
not appear like hermit or shay
gy bear,or thief who has lost his
ears, and strives to cover the parts where
they ought to be. with superintendent
quantity Of cap llary ornaments.
If were lady, would be attending
to the domestic concerns of the household,
and not walking the streets, endeayoring
to attract the attention of the beaux, and
spinning street yarn when ought to be
spinning stocking yarn at home.
If were an editor, would write to
please myself as well a. my customers, SO
far as was able, without the expectation
ofalways doing the one or the otncr.
II were a subscriber to n newspaper,
would always pay for it punctually and
never find fault because il sometimes
happened that there was nothing in it
which particularly interested me-especi-
ally when there was nothing to put in it.
If wers born with gold spoon in
my mouth, would hold Oh upon it, and
not exchange it for apewter oran iron one.
But that little word IF is apt be in the
way, and to disconcert all ones good in
ten'ons and charitable actions, and if it
were not SO freqently made proviso and
base to good actions, many mere deeds
of charity might be accomplished. 1t is
often an excuse for not performing what
charity would demand, what common
sense would dictate, what sense Of duty
would require. VI were situated SO and
so, would do vast deal Of good; but it
is often the case that man can do good
deeds and acts of charity, which he pre-
tends he would if he were differently stua-
ted.
Bit without any more ifs or ands, it's
ccrtein we can often do a good deed when
we DON'T and if is kind of general ex-
cuse for hot doing as we ought.-Boston
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