The Columbian fountain., 1846-01-29
'ssss '.' THE YOUNG MANS WAY |
TO fNTELLIGENCE, REsPEcTABILlTY, Ho-
~ s1sba.d NOR AND USEFULNESS.
WANT OF TASTE.

-'syOu nave no fdSe, Tor study, ana the hours
thus spent of all others, are the most un-
pleasant aud rksome.. Here is the principal
difficulty after ALL No man will long prac-
tice that for which he has no liking. Hard
work in the nature Of things, is not easy,
and he who is more fond of company,
public meeting, or sitting in dirty bar-room,
smoking cigar, and hearing the idle gossip
OF the neighborhood, than persuing a valu-
able book, will most likely, soon sink to
his level, whatever be his talents, and remain
there during life . .D Hin
But mems tastes arise from habit, and
though not with equal case, may be reform
ed as well as formed. In order to eni-
snence in any business or profession, the
first thing to be acquired, is taste for il.
And it is astonishing, how soon such taste
may be imbibed, by a little practice. Let a
young man accnstom himself to any course
of life, for a month or two, and though ever
SO disgraceful to his character, and offensive
in the eyes of others--to himselfit will be
pleasant and inviting. In like manner let
him compel his attention to books, during
his leisure hours, and evenings, for season,
and soon, what was an irksome and IN
pleasant task, will be his greatest pleasure
No longer will he have to complain of want
tof taste for literary pursuits, but he will
perhaps find some need of care, lest a fond
ness for it, lead him to suffer too great en-
cr0achment upon the hours of business
This bar therefore, although real one, is
quite easily taken out Of the way. And is
not the object worthy.the effort necessary
sitssattaiument Nothing Of any valne is
gained without toll. Nor will a studious
disposition, essential to mental cultivation,
be possessed by any, unless it be diligently
acquired.
Sir Walter Scott thus writes to his son,
" cannot too strongly impress upon your
mind, labor is the condition which God has
imposed on us in every station of life
There is nothing worth, having that can be
had without it, from the bread which the
peasent wins by the sweat of his brow, to
the, sports by which the rich man must get
rid of his ennui. The only difference be-
twixt them is, that the poor man labors to
get dinner to his appetite the rich man,
to- get an appetite to his dinner. As for
knowledge. it can no more be planted in the
hHlsp mind without labor, than a field of
wheat cap be, produced without the previous
use Of the plough. There is Indeed this diff
ference, that Glance or circumstances may
cause it, that another shall reap what the for
mer sOws !; but no man can be deprived
whether by accident or misfortune, of the
fruits of his own studies; and the liberal
and extendedacqn of knowledge, which
he makes, are all for his own use Labor
therefore, my dear boy. and improve the
hme,s In youth, our Steps are light, and
our minds are ductie, and knowledge is
easily laid up. But, If we negectour spring,
our summers will be useless and contempt
ible, sour, harvest will be chaf, and the win
tersof oldage unrespected and desolaten
Again, C Read, my dear Charles, read, and
read that which is useful Man, differs
from birds and beasts, only because he has
the means of ayailng himself the know
ledge acquired by his predecessors The
swallow builds the same nest, which its
father and mother built, and the sparrow
does not improve by the experience of its
parents. The son of the learned pig, if it
had one, would be a mere brute, only fit TO
hoTAS ouSou Ois ~ 10 uOt ~ Will Uullldll
race. Our ancestors lodged in caves and
wigwams, where we construct palaces for
the rich and comfortable dwellings for the
poor; and why is this, but because our eye
is enabled to look upon the past, TO improve
upon our ancestors improvements, and to
avoid their errors3 This can only be done
by studying history, and comparing it with
passing events"
There is natural Incidence common to
our nature, which, fond Of listless inaciion
will ever be urging us to lay aside what is
painful and laborious and see that which is |
amusing. This must be overcome before
any man will be student Having this out
of our way the work will be comparatively
easy, study will be a pleasure, and thirst
for knowledge being the master passion, there
will be no difficulty in the way, or self denial
required He who has cultivated this taste
and succeeded in acquiring this valuable ha-
bits on the high road to usefulness and re-
spectability,if not to greatness, but he on the
contrary, who has it not and does not ac-
quirejI will havea narrow path to travel
through life, and will leave an inglorous
memorial Upon his tombstone it may be
written that he was born on one day, and
died upon another, an honor which the low
er, animals can share with him. A man with
c.:~ ,,ot.,r,l on, ,ro,,r,Il -