The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-12-08
From Hunts Merchants Magazine.
The Chances of Success in
Mercantile Life.

Mercantile Life.
We certainly take no pleasure, as the con-
ductor OF journal devote TO the interests Of
commerce. in disparasing the calling Of the
merchant; but as the honest advocate OF
whatever is calculated 10 promote his moral
and social wcll-being, il becomes our duty to
lay before him the difficulties aud dangers Of
his profession, as well as the varied informa-
ton so requisite TO the successful and accom-
plished merchant.
On the evening Of the 29th Of February,
1910, General Henry A. S. Dearborn deIiv-
cred an address at an agricultural meeting Of
tho members OF the legislature, in the state
house in Boston, which embraced a state
menr touching the chances ofsuccess in mer-
camille pursuits. that astonished MANY, aud
attracted the attention of business men in all
parts of the country. We had frequently
seen the statements alluded TO quoted in the
public journals ana in lectures before the
mercantile associations, and agricultural So
cieties; but as report OF the address had
only been published in some of The eastern
agricultural periodicals, we had only met with
the single remark ofits author, that among
one hundred merchants and traders, not more
than three in tho city of Boston have ac-
qurcd independence We therefore wrote
to General Dearborn for copy Of his re-
marks made in connection with that state
ment which he has kindly transcribed. and
placed at our disposal. The reader will beal
in mind that General Dearborn was speaking
TO an audience chiefly composed Of cutiva-
tors Of the earth, and wished 10 impress upon
them the advantages: in all specis of 4 ru
raj home, and only presented a we'll cstab
ished fact TO show them how delusive was
the youthful dream Of fortune in the hazard
Gus career Of commercial adventure. As a
branch ofindustry. and one Of the most i'm
portani, General Dearborn considers CONNER
cial enterprise, aud national trade, in all its
divisions, as deserving the highest common
dations, but. like distinctions in the army
and navy, how few obtain the sucrdon OF
wealth and honorable fame,
General Dearborn WAS COLLECTOR Of the
port of Boston for nearly twenty years, aud
was therefore enabled TO notice ths vicissi-
tudes in trade and his statements are con
6rmed, as will be seen, by the remarks ola
Boston merchant, which are here appended to
the extracts from his address.
Extracts from an address delirered Ly GenI
III. A. s. Dearborn, in Boston.
In England the pleasures and privileges
and blessings Of the country, seems proper
" understood and valued. No man there
considers himself freemen unless he has
right in the soil. Merchants. bankers. Cit
Zens, and men Of every description, who's
condition in life allows them TO aspire after
anything better arc looking forward Away.
10 retirement in the country-to tho possess
ion of garden or a farm, and to The full en-
joymcut Of rural pleasures. The taste of the
nobility Of England is emincnIly in that d.
rectien. There are none OF them who, with
all the means Of luxury which the most enor-
nous wealth can afford. even think Of spen-
ding the year in London, or Of remaining IN
the confinement noise, and confusion Of the
city, day longer than they are compelled
TO do by their parliamentary or other public
duties.
There is, in this respect, marked differ
ence between England and France. For
merly the nobility Of France were scattered
broadcast over the territory, and had their
villas, their castles and chateaux. in all the
provinces oft kingdom. But the mon
archs, anxious to increase the splendor of
their courts. and TO concentrate around them
all that was imposing and beautiful IN fash
ion, luxury and wealth, collected by the
arisiocracy in the capital. The natural con-
sequence was, that the country was badly
Tiled, and agriculture made no advance
ment; while England was making rapid and
extraordinary progress in the useful and beau
tiful arts ofagricuture and horticulture and
now, in her cultivation, presents an example |
Of all that is interesting in establishment, and
important in production. We are the de- |
a pfontu nj land thoen erf,,,-,.
we have reversed the order Of taste and SEN |
tirneut which there prevails.
Happy would it be for u, if our gentlemen |
Of wealth and intelligence would copy the |
Bright example Of the affluent and exalted |
lated immense fortunes in cities. they would |
carry their riches and science into the couu-
try, and seek to reclaim, to improve. and ren-
der it more productive and beautiful. Massa-
chuse.ts might he transformed into garden.
and rivalthe best cultivated regions on the
globe.
1T is an inexplicable fact, that even men
who have grown rich in any manner in the
should rush into cities to spend their
wealth and it Is equally as remarkable that
hose who have accumulated fortunes in the
,iiy, shudde, at the idea Of going into the
county. where wealth might be safely APP
'ropriated TO purposes of the highest utility,
pleasure and refinement.
There prevails in this rather too much Ig-
,orance. false sentiment, and unworthy preJu-
lice. The city must, Of course, be regarded
Is the proper seat of active business in all
he branches OF commerce and navigation.
But when large portion Of life has been