The North-Carolina standard., 1841-08-18


who upon commencing life with bright prospects
and much reputation for capacity, have bIighted
the fond hopes of early friends, subdued the
glowing pride of associates and eked out an ex-
istence once full OF promise and renown In con-
tempt and scorn. The progress of mind in the
attainment Of its most ambitious views resem-
bles the motion Of inert matter when forced by
tae action of other bodies in particular direc
ton. At first it proceeds with much rapiGity,
but the velocity originally impaired gradually
lessens and soon the motion ceases though no
roug hness of surface is equal to stop it sudden
ly. The condition Of our very existence is such,
that we must expect to encounter distractions in
the passage of life, and we should therefore
strengthen our hearts to contend with every op-
position. Placing our hopes and fears, our de.
sIres and aversions on the prospect of reaching
something in itself perhaps unattainable we sell
dom propose that which is substantial, and
which industry temperance and moderation
could secure. Fixing gaze on some remote
object we neglect all in the intervening distance,
entering the race. indeed with stout hearts, man.
| ly resolution and unflinching courage regard
less Of the perplexities which beset our path
Some severe dispensation of Providence, some
| untoWa rd misfortune, some awful visitation upon
the family circle may withdraw US from The con-
tention and mar the chances of fortune, while
mental sloth slowly creeping on drives mos! from
IuSlI purposes UNCONSCIOUS OF the season WQe0
energy deserted their trials for the superiority in
the intellectual conflict. The monotony and
physical debility attendant on such pursuits
more and more influence until united with other
causes, they exert power that admits not Of con-
tradiction. Untirins attention and consecutive
study soon require regular occasions for refresh
ment, until in the process of time the remedy for
approaching disease becomes so agreeable that
we desert those pursuits which induced it. I'm
wi rhap oiy
tions which were once regarded necessary to
nourlsh and sustain hope. we make greater en-
deaVors. readily yielding however to any fimsy
pretext to drain TO the dregs the cup we once tas
ed. Sloth having gained full possession
over US. it acts like the intoxicating draug ht up
on the wine-biber, it can scarce be dethroned
save by such exertions are not often Civ
en-.
Good fortune and baG, despair and presump-
tion equally foes 10 the true happiness of our
nature. When the first object we meet damps
the ardor Of enterprise we may be certain OF hav-
ing overrated our own powers or underrated
the execution of the project hoping to reach by
some sleight of hand that which costs all others
trouble, anxiety and suspense. The romance
of youth, the vivid pictures Of rich imag
ination fail to present the labor Of an un-
dertaking as less and the advantages OF its sue
cessful prosecution as more important than they
|
by contact with the busy world-lts disgusting
squabbles, mean and selfish designs and degrad
ing pursuits-the future presents no view that
does not appear decked out in all the flowers Of
blooming spring the clustering foliage OF sum-
mer, the maturity of lovely autumn. Then we
really believe ourselves not only able to perform
any part or assume any station, but to reap also
the harvest of great actions and heroic deeds
The sordid admission that riches or other mere
m sian no of
mlud, the triumphs of genius or the labors Of
! learning is not tolerated for an instant. But the
dream Of fancied perfection soon vani<hes be-
meath the startling truths which crowd around.
Intrigue cunning, malice, hatred, persecution,
bold artifice and senseless clamor, soon convince
the late inmate of these encha nted cells that his
Elysium existed in fancy on y-~that it has no a.
bIdmg place elsewhere. AT every turn he makes
some new discovery. JeaousIy, fear and folly
meet him under every possible Disguise He
perceives the imperious necessity of resisting in
science of evading the secret contrlvances Of en-
emies, of enlig ghtening the ignorant, soothing
the stubborn and imparting vigor to the weak
The youth who has been feasng himself on the
eulogies which await his entrance upon life and
whose con6ding temper anticipates kindness and
respect from those to whose esteem he deems
himself entitled must be sadly disappointed 10
/ find Indifference even from those whom he had
a right to regard as friends who are deferred
from confessing lest they should be compelled to
compensate his real worth. Thus hope after
hope subsidies, each fair vision fades before the
light of truth, the poor creature whom he calls
brother stands disrobed Of every fictitious quail
,y. In disgust he turns aside and thus perish
most usually those aspirations for name which
pursuits here have encouraged. Yielding him
self up to the accidents of fortune he skins over
the surface following the current of the stream
without even desire to regain what once was
so dearly valued On the contrary many come
to the same conclusion by different process
1t is mistake to believe that we can very soon
or with little perseverance accomplish what we
once commenced with success. we should not
be too eager to partake of The (rnt before it has
ripened as in common with men of great natural
intellect whose giant strength inspires conf,
dence, who suppose theWselyes to have reached
the summit of human grandeur. where they
may repose in security and indplgs in leisure.
l repeat, there is and can be no mistake more
fatal than this. We fail to remember amidst the
enthusiasm of the moment that our success is
but comparative at best; that our exertions and
attainments measured by ideas of analogy;
that there is no such thing as resting upon the
| - L L oI