Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1843-11-10
Self Culture.


What lofty thing is self culture! 1t is
no less than to deve!ope, invigorate and chas-
ten the energies of the soul-to cause the
graceful aud living statute to rise from the un-
shapey marble-to clear up the wilderness Of
the mind, and make it too with rich harvest,
und blossom with sweet flowers-to triumph
over the impertections of human nature, and
grasp at the Projections of the highest inteli-
genccs-to become more worthy of the image
of the Creator, which we bear--to make ones
self man champion, monarch!
What spectacle is presented TO the world
in the history Of Ffanklin.-Born of humble
parentage, and denied the benefit of liberal
education, his ardent and intrepid spirit still
plumes its pinions for flight 10 the sum-
The leisure Of his youth is spent N study, and
every moment improved 10 the best advantage
ries of resolutions, upon which, as upon ia
cob's ladder, he ascends TO lofty height of
| moral excelence-and at last stands before
the world, and writes his name upon the scroll
of Immortality, champion Of freedom, dis.
coverer and expounder Of the hidden laws of
nature, and still greater, an elevator Of the
moral condition of his race.
1t may be trite remark, but it is never,he.
less true, that Notwithstanding the dignity of
self cultivation, and its glorious fruits, it is
shamefully neglected by the great mass of
mankind. The important part of millions,
that which alone elevate is entirely neglected
in mad scofle for gain. or in their eagerness
to decorate the frail tenement Of clay which is
its habitation. Poor human nature! down
trodden and bruised almost universally by the
iron heel Of tyranny, it is not less oppressed
and crippled by the voluntary bondage of its
own folly. How much is lost to the world
and to individuals by the neglect of self cult.
walton! How may unknown streams of en-
thusiasm might be made 10 carry vast and
useful machinery in society. And how much
DISSOLUTION might be changed to verdure and
beauty!
is vain for those individuals who neglect
sell cultivation, to assert they have no spare
time. The whole business of life should be
made subservient TO the cultivation of the mind
and heart, and the humblest person has abun.
dant opportunity to improve himselfin these
respects. Let the time which was wasted, be
lmproved-let those awake who sleep. and
they will find voice upon every leaf, and
honey in every flower.
Self cultivation, in the strongest sense of
the term, implies an improvement of our whole
mental, moral and physical nature, and any
thing that aims at less than this, if defective, |
Tor the organization of the human constitution |
is such that, 10 use the beautiful figure of Lord |
Bacon, 1t does not develope and bring TO ma
turlty single faculty at time, but, like the |
blowing rose, expands them gradually togeth-
er. The whole object of self cultivation in
short, is it to beautify and prepare man for
usefulness in this life, and happiness in that
which IS to come.--Western Lit. Mes.
NEVER RET WITH YANNEE.-sI calculate
couldn't drive trade with yon today said
a true specimen Of yankee pedlar, las is sta
ted in the St. Louis Ariel,) as he stool at the
door Of merchant in Main street.
i calculate you calculate about right, for
you cannot was the sneering reply.
Wal, guess you needn't get huffy about
i. Now here's dozen real genuine razor
'trors, worth two dollars and half-you NAV
rave 'em for two dollars
tell you don't want any Of your trash, so
1ou had better be going
Wal now, declare! I'll let you FIVE dol
ars If you made me an offer for them are
'rops, We'll have trade yet
Done = replied the merchant, placing the
money in the hands Of bystander. The Van
Zee deposited the like sum-when the mer-
hant offered him picayune for the strops. |
They're your'n,' said the Yankee, as he
uietly fobbed the stakes. But,' he added.
Nth great apparent honesty, Il calculate a
oke's joke; and if you don't want them
trops, I'll trade back a. /
The .merchat's countenance frightened /
You are not so bad chap, after ali here ara
cur strops give me the money i
There il is said the Yankee, rs he received r
,e strops, and passed over the picaynne. {
A trades trade-and now you're vida .. d
1ake in earnest, guess the next time Won .
ade with that are pic, you'll doSa lee,le be,.
II than TO buy razor strops.' II
And away walked the pedlar with his sfrona
I'd wager, amid the shouts Of the lauuhino
towd. s