The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-07-21
From the Philadelphia Saturday Courier.
WHAT DOES THAT YOUNG MAN
DO FOR A LIVING2

what does that young man do for liv
ingP is the common inquiry,as some foppish,
well-dressed individual passes by. Moth
ing-nothing at ALL is ,he frequent reply
But what supports him in his Extravaganza
None can tell-but we being a Yankee,
have the privilege Of guessing. That young
man, dressed in broadcloih, carries cane
and is so extremely polite 10 all his acquain-
tence-especially the ladies-is the son ofa
man in moderate circumstances, who finds
it difficult TO sustain himself with moder-
ate income. His son wishes to be gentle
man, and live without labor. The father, in
his folly, refuses 10 put him TO a trade, or
send him TO work on a farm, hoping that
something may turn up and by and by,
when business will be better, Cor his son TO
obtain good living without work. He is
now obliged TO dispense with the Injuries Of
li(e-perhaps some of its comforts-for his
son TO keepup appearances, and go in good
society, DIS that kind Of company is termed,
where young men have nothing TO do but
dress in the latest fashions. He is quite in
dependent, and uses language TO his seniors,
that might be considered uncorteous in a
king. He faces all classes and conditions
without blush, and dares 10 look with con
tempt on the honest apprentice, whose gen
erous soul would outweigh thousand as
light as his ewn. The companions he choos
es are like himself, pulled up with vanity,
| swelling with importance, and who make pre-
rence Of doing something, by occasionally
visiting lawyers Office, 10 read page Of
Blackstone. The end of such youth il
needs no prophetic vision TO see. 1T is as
plain as the way 10 market 'as Doctor Frank
lin would say, that he will turn out low
iespised miserable fool. Perhaps the pen
itentiary will bring him up-perhaps the gal
lows. But il he escapes these, il will be TO
hang like an incubus on those OF his friends
who for PHYS sake have not the heart 10
send him where he deservee.
The above is true picture OF many OF The
young men who may be seen daily in our
! streets. You meet them al every corner.
in all public resorts, al all parties Of pleasure
riding. sailing, talking, laughing, joking
eiernally; apparently with money enough,
more imprudence, and less brains But how
they all contrive 10 keep body and soul TO-
gethe-, without work, always spending, and
never earning, we confess is sometimes a
mystery 10 US. When project Of pleasure
is talked of, the expense is last thought Of
and least considered. or one thing we are
certain, that we are fast verging 10 a nation
ofpaupers. II is impossible TO live long in a
state Of idleness, enjoying the Iuxuries and
blessings Of life, without gradually diminish
ing the sources Of comfort and wealth. To
prosperous as a people, each must do his
part-at least to do sufficient labor 10 gain
his own support.
Parents are very guilty in this NATTER
They should not permit their great luboerly
boys 10 hang on them for a support, when
they are well and able 10 labor, and when
too, work would promote their health and
make them cheerful and happy. You do
them mighty wrong, while dandling them in
extravaganza, and tell them how manly they
appear, when you know-you mus. know
the deleterious consequences. Ifyour great
boys will not work, you should not support
them; drive them away if they arel lazy
and it will be for their good and your glory
in the end. Let them see that they must de-
pend upon themselves, as you have done be-
fore them.
1t is a burning shame for aged persons
to be burihened with the support Of stout,
rugged boys-men in size, but pigmies in
knowledge, sense and manners-at that time,
Of life when their children should take them
nnder their protection and care, and provide
Tor their health comforr, and happiness.