Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-01-28

and the faithful application of common tai
ents for James Watson was not a genius,
according to the common notion of that
character and gained no harvest that was
not reapcd by determined, patient, thorough
labor.
Man is, doubtless, as a general fact, inre-
spcct to character and intellectual greatness,
Just what he wishes to be. The primary
principles of mental Development arc the
same in all ages and in all climates. They
are unaterably fixed in the physical and
moral constitution of mankind. They are
to be found in our affections and passions,
and are developed for good or evil, for inn
potence or for power, just in proportion as
we restrain or cherish and give them right
or wrong direction. Character is but the
congregated unity of multifarious habits;
and these are to be referred to the aspect,
influence and teachings of every thing about
us, assimilating with and sinking into the
mind until they become, as it were, part
of it; and they never cease to sway the en-
tire soul. The desires that predominant in
our hearts, says Dr. Johnson, are instilled
by imperceptible communications, at the
time we look upon the various scenes Of the
world and the different employments of men,
with the neutrality of inexperience; and we
come forth from the nursery of the school,
invariably destined to the pursuit OF great
acquisitions or petty accomplishments.
1t follows, then, that the most trancendent
importance should be attached to the right
motive power, or the commencement of ones
career. Indeed, this is the great secret of
the difference in the characters and mental
standing of men in general. There is but
slight variation at the outset but facility is
acquired by one, while another sinks down
into rusty inaction-and the first advances
steadily onward in the path of glory, honor,
and happiness, while the other sinks into OBJ
security, contempt and selfish repinings. Let
the young remember this. Let there be an
ever-abiding sense of the truth that our des-
TIMES are in our hands, our unwritten histo-
ry all before us, and that whatever will may
be inscribed upon the opening page of the
book of like
With all his mental requirements, the
pauper lad of Woodend never felt any aver
sion to the wearying pursuit of honest toll.
He believed that limb, and sinew, and bone,
and muscle, had been given him to develope
and use to some good purpose, as well as in
tellectual faculties and he felt that it would
be as truly sin against heaven to neglect
the one as the other. He knew that the
hardy exercise of toll, and temperate and
abstemious living, were not only of great
Importance in securing health, but threw a
crimson upon the cheek, and infused vigor
into the body, which necessarily promoted
the earnest action of the mind and he
} l.. al,
portunty to learn mechanic trade. He
felt, too that it was "to labor, and to labor
only, that man owes every thing possessed
of eXchangeable value. Labor is the tails
man that has raised man from the condition
of the savage; that has changed the desert
and the forest into cultivated fields that has
covered the earth with cities, and the ocean
with ships that has given us plenty, COM
fort and elegance, instead of want, misery
and barbarism." And he wisely lent him
self to swell the number of honorable names,
who are the worlds true noblemen-who
produce something to benefit their fellow
men.
Into his new relation of apprentice, he
carried the same fidelity, the same devotion
to his pursuits, as before. And he wrought
and admiration of his assocates-besides
the satisfaction of knowing his own power.
He brought, too, as a powerful aid to his
art, all the scientific knowledge he had &C
qulred and was constantly accommodating
and the applications which he made of them
to his varied handicraft, made him excel as
an artizan, promised rich pecuniary har.
vest, and realized to him the GROWING inhu
ence of distinguished genius.
One evening, at the tea-table of his EN-
ployer, he sat for a long time in abstraction
as if in deep thought upon some importan
matter. For while he seemed to forge
that he was observed and then raising hi
eyes to the social guests, he suddenly ex
claimed,
GO must go to France"
$50 to Francew said his master, in as
l tonishment-" and why go to France p
Invite Mr. Newton to tea, tomorrow
: evening"" replied the young man, "and
D will explain all but ! must 90 to France.
Though urged to discover his singula
D purpose, again and again, it was all in vain
: His plan of breaking the matter to hi
a friends was decided upon, and he declined
o most positively to say any thing upon tn
K subject, except before his benefactor, Mr.
h Newton. No little surprise, however, wa
), manifested at the apparent dissatisfaction
i, which had taken hold of the hitherto con
: tented, industrious, and modest young me
a chanic, that he now coveted so anxiously t.
d roam in foreign land, without any ostensi
n BILE purpose. But he had purpose, never
# theless. In the retirement of his studiou
e hours, he had wrought out problem tina
S had bafiled the efforts of the wisest philosc
n pliers and most profound thinkers of the oil
|, world. Humble and poor though he was
IS his was a mind that by selfreliance, cult
J. walton, and earnest application, had becom
: bold as an eagle, :" borne on sinewy pinion:
= strong as the western condor-a soul soai
a ing around the Handicapped Andes of reheC
G ton, glad in its conscious Immortality, lea,
ing world behind"
e The next evening came; Mr.. Newto
o was invited to tea-and no little interest wa
d manifested by the company, to learn whi
v strange inducement had been offered to tn
x apprentice, to make him so anxious to go t
&c France After some desultory conversation
W the mystery was thus unfolded.
&c "In the time of Napoleon" said Jane
it Watson, "the French government Offered