The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-12-08

spent in these harrassing pursuits, and men
have acquired The means Of competence and
| independence in the country why they should
not seek TO enjoy the refreshing eeercse, the
delightful recreations, and the privileged
hours of retirement e. reflection, W h;cb a m.
raj residence affords was mystery which i,
was impossible TO solve.
1t was not merely The unsovern,b,e ipau.
ence OF city life. upon health, comfort and
enjoyment, but its pernIcious moral influence
was most deeply TO be dcpIored. Many an
interrupted young man from the country,
impelled by reckless passion for gain, has
| there early found the grave of his virtues.
But too many instances might be pointed
out, in which the acquisition of property has
proved as great curse as could have befal-
leu them. The chances of success in trade
are likewise much less numerous. and are
more uncertain than men generally believe.
or are willing 10 allow. After an extensive
acquaintance with business men, and having
long been an attentive observer of the course
Of events in the mel camille coh,muniiy, ! am
satisfied that among one hundred merchants
and traders, not moro than three, in this CITY,
even acquire independence. II was with
great distrust that came 10 this conclusion ;
hut after consulting an experienced met
chant, be fully admitted its truth. Infinitely
better, therefore, would it be for vast DOR.
ton Of the young men who leave the coun-
try Tor The city. ii they could be satisfied with
farmers life. How preferable would i,
have been for many OF those who have sough,
wealth and distinction in cities, If they had
been satisfied with the comforts. innocen,
anrusements, and soothing quietude Of the
country; and instead of The sad tale OF
their disasters, which must 90 back 10 the pa
rental Preside. the future traveller. as he
passed The humble church-yard in which they
had been laid at rest with their ancestors,
might truly repeat these pathetic words OF
England's gifted band -
Some village Hampton, that, with daunt.
less breast
The little tyrant of his fields withstood;
Some mute, inslorious Milton here may rest
Some Cromwell, guiltless of his country's
blood
The statement made by General Dear
horn, appeared to me so startling, so appall-
ing, that was induced to examine il with
much care, aad regret 10 say found it true.
then called upon a friend, a great antiqua-
ran, gentleman, always referred 10 in al.
matters relating % the city Of Boston, and he
told me that, in the year 1900, he took
memorandum of every person on LONG
Wharf, and that, in 1910, (Which is as long
ms merchan, continues husiness.) only five
in one hundred remained They had all.
in that time, either failed. or died destitute OF
property. then went 10 Il very intelligent
director Of the Union Bank IA very strong
bank he told me that the bank commenced
business in 1893; that there was then but
ore other bank in Boston, the Massachusetts,
Bank. and that the bank was so overrun
with business, that the clerks and officers
were obliged 10 work until twelve O'Clock at
night, and all Sundays; that they had oc
casion TO look back, a year or Two ago, and
they found, that Of the one thousand &C
counts which were opened with them in
starting, only six remained they had. in
the forty years, either failed or died destitute
Of property. Houses whose paper had
passed without question. had all gone down
in Il al time. Bankruptcy, said he, is lik.
death, and almost as certain they fall sin
gle and alone, and are thus Forgotten; but
there is no escape from il; and he is a for
tuna'e manwho fails young.
Another friend told me that l,e had occa-
sion 10 look through the probate Office, few
wears since. and he was surprised to find
that over 30 per cent OF ali the estate
settled there, were insolvent! And within
a few days, have gone hack 10 the incorpo-
ration Of our banks in Boston. have lis
oil the directors since theysiarted. This isl,
however. very unfair way of testing the
rule, Tor bank directors are the most substan-
iial men in the community. In the old bank.
over Que third had tailed in forty years. and
IN the new bank, much larger proportion.
4 am sorry 10 presen, 10 you so gloomy
picture, and trust you will insiill into your
sons, as Gen. Dearborn recommends a love
oil agriculture for. in mercantile pursuits.
they will fail TO dead certainty