The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1847-04-22

" Usefulness and distinction exceedingly
unpromising, b say nothing Of The habits
, Of Eire and dissipation 10 which his earli-
er anlipaihy 10 study NAV have led him.
Now 4 i, We think. very probable thai The
timely application OF Few years labor At
. The handles Of The plough or the hoe would
have exeried derided and qnickening in
fluenes upon the laggard genius Of our
young friend. AMI If nothing more had
heen gained BY the process he would al
least have acquired some knowledge OF
The iheOIy and practice Of making an hon.
esi living By his own industry; or per-
haps himself and all concerned would
have discovered that the confeld or the
workshop were much more appropriate
both TO his genius and his taste than aca-
denic shades or halls Of science and il
occurs 10 me, by The way, that in thous-
and instances the world would have been
greatly benefited by this discovery.
But our hero has finished his collegiate
course, The graduating scene is past, the
degrees have been conferred. and his name
enlarged by ihe addition Of two mystic let
tiers. is already given to immortality; but
now an important question has To be set
tled--whai are lnhe the young genlleman's
future pursuits ! Shall he 90 forth and
engage in the work Of teaching? or shall
he engage in agricultural pursuits ! or
shall he give his attention TO mechanical
or mercantile pursuits These various
points are examined and dismissed in a
very summary way. Teaching is re-
spectacle employment enough, but then
Ills extremely irksome and dull to conGne
oursclf To the routine Of the school room,
TO be obliged 10 whip, and cuff, and coax
learning into some dozen or two cold-head-
ed boys, none of whom promise to rise 10
any distinction; and then this thing Of
being only an old field school-masier-
there is nothing large or high.sounding in
the title, so it wont do-that's settled.
Mechanical pursuits are scarcely eligible
for young men of good families and gen
teel training. As TO agriculture, that:
veil enough. when imam - able 10 con
duct il on large scale; and it may an
swer TOO as an old-age recreation for one
who is sick of business, aud surleitcd
with the honors of the world; but for a
young man Of genius and education to
commence his career, and tax his resour-
ces of mind and body and time, to CON-
pei the earth 10 yield him wealth and re-
spectability, is not TO be thought OF. Oh
no: the road 10 distinction leads through
the learned proiessions-law or physic--
one must be studied. Law is the most
usual road to political distinction; and the
title Of DR.. has something very respecta-
bic and pleasant in its gingle; and then
these pursuits are very appropriate TO cd
ucated men; so the matter is settled, and
both father and son concur in the decision,
We will suppose our young friend decides
for the study of the law. For this there
are two or three strong reasons: lst, mos
of our distinguished politicians and states.
men are lawyers, and it is therefore fail
TO infer that The road 10 distinction lies in
that direction. Cd. A few months study,
and moderate quantum of knowledge,
will enable him to pass the examination,
and gain admission TO the bar; and
forthwith his shingle hangs out in some
country town or some cross-road village,
as attorney at law. Being properly quail
flied and duly authorized. he can, oicourSe,
indulge no lingering doubt of success and
accordingly his future is filled with visions
Of glory and wealth. But unfortunately
the people do not concur with him in opin-
ion, they choose to confide their moneyed
interests to men Of more experience and
more decided talent. He makes the ne
cessary flourish in the newspapers, and
duly presents himself at all the courts of
the circuit, he takes his station regularly
with his brethren of the green bag, and al
the end OF the first two years, save few
cases picked up at the magistrates courts,
his fees are nameless; nor has any oppor-
unity been offered him for the display of
his legal knowledge, except as he has vo-
lunteered in behalf of some poor wretch
who was unable to pay for legal services.
In the meantime his board, office rent and
travelling expenses must be paid. His ia
ther has given him all he can afford him,
and he is compelled (sad alternative) 10
depend upon himself. But what can he
do he is gentleman, and lawyer. and
must dress, and look and live, and travel
in manner becoming his rank. He is
ready for practice, but nobody will en-
ploy him; consequently if he don't make
an honest living by his practice, he is not
TO blame, but the public. For a while