The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-11-20

BosToN, Nov. Is, l549.

BOSTON, NOV 10, lo4S.
One of the best institutions in our city is the
Mercantile Library Association, which, from small
beginnings, has grown TO be AN influential and
prosperous society Ii is composed mostly of young
men, clerks and others and all the officers are
young men. The institution has an excellent
library and, by means of lectures and classes for
instruction, affords cheap and ample opportunities
TO the rising generation of youths qualify them
selves for mercantile or professional career. You
may judge of the extent of the influence it exerts
through its library, from the fact that upwards Of
twenty eight thousand books have been taken
home by the members during the last year alone.
On Wednesday evening, the twenty ninth ami
versary of this association signalized by adj
dress from the Hon. HORACE MANN, (member OF
Congress from our Sth district,) and poem from
JOHN G. SAKE, Of Vermont. had the pleasure OF
listening to both these performances, in common
with an audience of about two thousand, crowded
into the capacious hall of the fremont Temple.
Mr. Mann's discourse was one of advice to young
men and the only regret was, that 1t could not
have been heard and comprehended by all the
youth of the country. In urging upon the young
the great duty Of attention to physiological laws,
the Importance of health, he especially eo-
auent and impressive. Not only the amount, but
the quality of mans labor depends on his health.
The productions of the poet the man of science, or
the orator, must be affected by his health. Who
drinks beer, thinks beer. Not only lying lips but
a dyspeptic stomach is abomination to the Lord
Our pous ancestors used to bury the suicide where
four roads met; yet every gentleman or lady who
lays the foundation of disease with turtle soup
lobster salad, pate de oe gras as really commits
suicide as if they used the rope the pistol and
were the old law revived, how many, who are now
honored with resting place at Mount Auburn,
would be found at the cross roads
Against the sensualist and the debauchee Mr.
Mann launched his fiercest bolts of sarcasm and
contempt They differ from the swine ''only in
keeping a French cook" If young men imagine
that the qualification of appetite is the great source
of enjoyment, they would find this in the highest
degree with industry and temperance. Without
health there is no delicacy that provoke an APP
petite Whoever destroys his health turns the
most delicious viands into ipecac and aloes. The
man that is physically ,cicked, does not live out half
his DAYS, and he is not half alive while he does
live
The pursuit of wealth for the mere sake of wealth,
and not for the opportunities it affords of elevatng
ourselves and those around us, another topic
upon which the speaker "wreaked" the energy of
his diction. The gods Of this world, said he, are
fast dying out and one deity alone is worshipped-
wealth. Were it currently reported that the river
Jordan was bedded with gold, the church and the
world would vie with the Jews in their strife for
the Holy Landau faces would be directed to Jeru
salem instead of San Francisco, in the hope Of
something more sterling than salvation.
Mr.. Mann disclaimed all intention OF waging
war against the accumulation of wealth. 1t is the
duty of a young man to labor for a competence.
But while all below competence is misfortune all
beyond is mischief. Inherited wealth is often far
other than blessing. When the devil clutches the
father for boarding and the son for spending, he
proves the best speculator of the three, because he
doubles his capital on the same investment. The
selfish rich man and the mser received no mercy
at the speakers hands. They Jared almost as badly
as the epcure and the dandy
can give you but feeble idea of this discourse
by any mere outline of its leading features. twas
bold piquant, earnest, but elegant and amusing by
turns. There passages of the highest poetry
as well as of the most trenchant irony.
Mr. Sake followed Mr.. Mann in a very spirited
and entertaining poem. 1t was as full of bon mots
and clever jokes Christmas pudding is of
Plums.