The Democratic Whig. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1842-1843, 1843-01-26

All ms leisure. ncurs TO the improve
ment Of his mind.
| He went farther and fairly turned
the tables on his: friend /: so success
lively pleading the higher and supe-
rior nature of the pleasures he en-
ljoyed in his quiet and progressive i'm
provement, that Fank dropped his
frankish style Of address and listened
with an earnestness that told him half
convinced. ~.
Dawnings Of greatness seemed TO
rise before his mind-visions of his
childish ambition, when he had looked
away to the dazzling heights Of veal
thy greatness, without dreaming of the
tollsome road that lay between, again
passed like dreams before him.
| Let me assure you," urged John,
"that there is infinitely more pleasure
in gratifying the thirst Of the mind Tor
knowledge, than 10 feeding our pas
slons or INDUCING our desiIes for emp
~ pleasures ); both appetites grow
strong by nourishment, but how much
more safe to cherish the one than the
other."
'Thatis true enough replied Frank,
but what can a young clerk do, who
IS tied behind the counter for seven
Fights of his walking hours, towards
getting education enough to expert
ence any of the pleasures of which you
speak. My mind has hankered enough,
God knows, after knowledge, and had
1 been the son OF some rich nabob who
could have afforded me time and the
means, | should have gloried in deIv-
ing into the mysteries of science, and
IN shaking my thirst in what your wri-
tiers call her crystal fountains but
with my time and means / can accom-
plish nothing. | never had money
enough in my life time, to purchase
dozen books, nor have l time enough
IN year to read them. Heigho
am not TO be cheated out of these flow
ers OF pleasure that grow around me
because others, though more fair and
fragrant, bloom beyond my reach"
"Had you been placed in the cir
cumstances you mention, "replied John
tthe same disposition TO CRAFTY the
caprices of the moment at the expense
of future attachments, would have been
foe to your advancement. The high
er aid eanobling pleasures which are
found only in the paths Of wisdom are
above the reach of no one, and to him
who has moral nerve enough to turn
away from the Establishments OF the
gay temptations around him, they are
as cheaply won and as quickly enjoy
ed as those Of a more triAing character
The expense of your afternoons trip
would purchase you rich store Of in
formation IN almost any department of
literature or science, and the time you
will waste, though not enough in itself
to be Of great importance, is long en-
ough to commence in ; the self appro-
baton that Will Immediately follow
such an improvement Of it, and the
noble qualification that the mind at
once experiences in making the least
advancement in knowledge will be a
ipYesent and certain source of enjoy
ment infinitely superior TO any that you
know or feel. Come Frank rouse up
your manhood, your powers are TOO
noble to be wasted. Greatness is not
begotten in day but in course OF
patient and persevering exertion you
may easily find it! We who are hem
med in BY adverse circumstances may,
by overcoming add rising above them,
make far higher advances than those
who are more favored with fortune,
and are, consequently never called up
on to make such exertions.
When Frank parted from his friend
he was determined that that afternoon
INDULGENCE should be the last for six
months to come during which time
he firmly resolved that every leisure
honr should be devoted to improve
ment but he could neither persuade
himself to give up future recurrence
to his favorite amusements, or resolve
to abandon his present gratlnca'fon'
He that hats between virtue and wee
can neither profit by the teachings OF
the one, nor enjoy the qualifications q
4 the other.
1 Frank started on this excursion with
| his new purposes already he was "ea,
wing his plans for Improvements ano
| dreaming Of his success. But, no.
i finding the company cougenial fer such
i reflections, he concluded TO Dan,s ]:
| them till the morrow-fhese gone ms
i heart was as light as ever-his stores
iesfs and songs provoked most upFoa !,
ons mirth and repeatedly called forth
the most noisy applause from ms com
| panions. Frolic, mirth and rsysi ,.i
81 held broken sway mil sear .'sieas,'s {.
vie .iae party broke up 70 return nom @
II After their return they spent ABOUT .