The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1847-07-17
CONFESSIONS OF LITERATURE
By JOSEPH GOsTICK.
TO FRIEND
TO A FRIEND.

So, you have been writing poems, and
are now beginning story. Well, 60 Oh
] do not know how YOU can spend youI
Leisure in better way. | am pleased with
your literary devotion; but there is one par,
of your letter which calls from me few
werning words, though | have no Heat
fears for you. You say YOU are not discon-
tended with your situation, but You see no
hope of advancement in your present EN-
ployment you would like to have two
strings 10 your bow; and you think you NAV
be preparing yourself now 10 do something
in literature. Happiness and success al
tend your endeavor but have fear that
you are inclined to suppose that literature
may, some day, be 10 You the means of lir-
ing. On this hint speak. Dear Harry
throw away this notion at once, if Won
have for moment entertained it. do not
underrate your abilities; rather express my
esssem for them when say they are too good
10 be thrown away in the struggle to live by
literature. You may point to my own case.
Why may not YOU succeed as well as have
done will answer that question soon:
al present ! may Just say that hardly reck.
on my present mode Of existence worthy Of
the name Of Hiring. II you long to rush
into the literary world, there will certainly
be a place left for you some day (and soon,
hope;) for | am waiting for the first op-
orunity OF making my escape.
need not repeat that ! would not dis
courage your progress in literature: this is all
wish to say-that your liring and your
literature are two things, and the more
distinct you keep them the better. ! would
recommend a young attorney whom knew
as good example for you. Tom was
brought up in very easy circumstances, and
only touched the law with the tips of his
fingers, but devoted to music, and aspired
10 the first excellence on the violin. Mean
while, as Tom was trying TO rival DE Be-
riot, lawsuit was consuming his father s
money. What did Tom do Did he break
the neck Of that sweet Cremona, which
seemed TO grow better every time the bow
was drawn across il? He was not such a
fool. But he locked up his fiddle, and laid
aside, (secure from damp all his music
Mozart, Beethoven, Mayseder, Reissger,
and Spohr-then buckled to the office-desk
for ten hours every day-and all for the
love OF music And now difficulties are
overcome; and when Tom leaves his office
in the evening, he comes down stairs at three
prodigious leaps, to tea, his sisters piano,
and his violin that seems to have gladness
enough in it to dispell all the cares under a
counsellor's wig. There he goes, beauti-
fully in tune-''tioeedle, ticeedle, hceedlc-
dee and away UP to charming uill at
the top Of the first string and now where
ore all the cares and puzzles Of law, but
with the Old Gentleman, their original pat
eniee!
Let me commend 70 YOU, also, the exam
pie OF Jacob. Remember all the pastoral
dIudgery to which he submitted-for La
ban! no-for Rachel This makes his
fourteen years apprenticeship sublime fact.
Let Literature be your Rachel.
Seriously, never wish to devote all your
time TO literature. A little time really your
oscn will be worth more than more exten.
sive leisure disturbed with cares about tail.
ors' bills. What miserable thing is an
authors desk, where lie, jumbled together.
the first chapter Of me'c Story, beginning
-''lt was a most glorious morning in
Spring" and q third edition of the old ito.