The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1843-08-16

occupied usefully to his felow.men, can be
happy. This is a law of our being, and
any violation of it is followed by pain Of
mind. So fully am conscious of this, that
| do not wish for freedom from business and
care. Such freedom, know, would make
me miserable
But why do you intend going to the
country TO liver
81 have always had fondness for couf.
try life, and for pursuits connected with ag-
liculture. Maurey has laid the foundation
for an extensive grapery. and has planted
out fine peach orchard, besides having
commenced great many other things, that
may be carried out TO advantage. These
| shall enter into with a good deal of inter-
est. The farm is one Of the finest on the
river, and susceptible of the highest i'm
provements, if introduced gradually and ju-
diciously. To this looked mainly, rather
than to the splendid mansion, though have
no particular objection to that, seeing that
it did not cost great deal more than a
much palmer building, particularly as it
beauties the prospect for miles around, land
the sight of it may be enjoyed by others as
well as myself. | shall spend part of my
time in the country, and the other portion
in the city, assisting my son, and advising
with him IN the prudent management of
business. He will be guided by me in all
things, if so derect, for he has confidence
in me, and our interests are mutual but
shall permit him to manage for himself, as
far as | shall deem it prudent for him to do
so, in order that he may gain confidence at
the same time, that by the very act of doing
these things, from his own Judgment of
their fitness, that judgment will strengthen.
Gradually and safely | can then disengage
myself from mercantile pursuits, if, after
trial of "a country life, should prefer it, and
devote myself exclusively TO agricultural
employments. If, on the contrary, coun-
try life should prove unsuited to my tastes
and habits, car sell my property without
much reduction on the price | have paid for
II, and again resume mercantile life
As he proposed, Mir. Lester entered upon
his new pursuits with vigour, dividing his
time and attention between his farm and
his business in the city, until he felt per-
fectly easy in entrusting the latter entirely
to his son. Then he gave hissattention
mainly TO the cultivation of fruits, and now,
carrying out his idea of being useful in his
employmepts TO others,he regularly supplies
the Philadelphia market with a large guam
tity of its most delicious peaches, grapes,
and other fruits, for which his return is near
ly equal to his income when exclusively de-
voted 10 merchandising. He is happy, not
in idle, luxurious ease, but in active indus
try.
As for Mr.. Maurey, his disappointments
have soured his temper, and he is now plod-
ding along without the elastic vigour of
mind that is required to make successful
merchant. He is occupied in trade because
he is compelled TO do something under the
impulse of fear of poverty. Kept active in
uses 10 society by this low, selfish, grovel-
ling principle he finds no delight in bust
ness, and is consequently dragging out the
last days of MS existence, disappointed with
life, and angry with himself and all the
world.
Sad picture, this but the history is n
true one-true in hundreds of instances,
some possessing more and some less inter-
est than the case of Mr.. Maurey. But all
are disappointed, for none find happiness in
retirement while mind and body are still
able to engage in useful employment. 1t is
an immutable law stamped in the very ma
ture of things upon human society, that
each member of it shall do something for
the good of the whole, willingly or by COM
pulsion. Whoever, either in idle retirement
or actual tresspass upon the rights of others,
leaves his place in the great social body,
will as surely render himself unhappy as he
does so, and be at last driven back to occu-
Ply lower position in the performance of
lower uses.