Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1849-06-20
nj ISCELL A N Y.
SMALL BEGINNINGS.

"Desplse not the day of small things" This
sentence contains wisdom and philosophy, as we'll
as scripture. 1t is very easy and natural to sheer
at small beginnings and humble means, but il is
not always wise to do 1t is better to commence
on an humble scale, and come out in good STYLE at
last, than to suffer severe collapse after an extern
sive and ridiculous flourish Some men will do
better with capital OF sixpence, than they would
II hall the fortune Of Astor had been given them 10
commence with. We have heard it told of man
worth his millions, that he commenced by selling
fruit at street stall. We have seen bows at scbool
roll handful OF snow upon the ground, till by its
accumulated matter, it become so bulky that do
zen could scarcely move it. Sands make the moun
tain, moments make the year, drops make the ocean:
and so little endeavors, earnestly increasingly and
honestly put forth, make the great men 10 the
worlds history.
We say, then, don't despise the day of small
things. 1t you have an undertaking to accomplish,
or good thing to bring about, begin according to
your MEANS and never he discouraged because Won
cannot make so magnificent commencement as Won
could wish. Old King John, the Frenchman, five
hundred years ago, took it into his head to found 9
library and he began with--what do you suppose 2
ten cohmes. But he knew what he was about !.
for that library-the Royal Library of Paris-is
n0tc The most magnificent library in the world and
contains 100000 volumes.
A whale one day came frolcking into the harbor
OF Nantucket, short time after the first settlement
Oh that isiand and, as for many hours it continued
there, the enterprsing inhabitants were induced to
contnve and prepare large barbed iron, with
strong cord attached, with which they finally sue
ceeded In securing this aquatic monster. small
matter, truly; but it was the commencement of a
business which has added millions to the wealth of
the people--the incipient introduction of an enter
prise which nearly three-quarters of century AGO
extor'ed noble tribute OF admiration from Edmund
| Burke, on the floor of the British Parliament.
Two fishermen i'm Holard onca boJ J;or,,.o
IN tavern, on the question whether the fish takes
the hook, or the hook takes the fish. From this
tivial circumstance two opposing parties the
"Hooks" and the "Cobble- Joints" who. for two
centuries, divided the nation, and maintained con
test not unlike that between the Red and White
Roses in England.
There is traditionary counterpart 10 this in Our
| own history. We alude TO the story of the pir,
whose stupid obstlnacy, gravely told invc,v-
ed us In war with Great Britain, in 1872 There
is nothing incredible about it, however; and as most
OF our readers are too young TO recollec the anec
| dote, we will venture TO repeat it:
"Iwo neghbors both of the old Federal school
OF politics, who had lived in the city of Providence
CHANGED to quarrel. And so il happened one was
The owner of pig, that had an irresistible incIina
ton to Perambulate in the garden of the next neigh
Dor. Ihe owner Of the garden complained of the
Pig-sty being insufficient TO restrain the pig and the
neghbor replied, it all because he kept his fen
ces In such ill-repair The pig was taking his morn.
Ing walk, when he surprised in the act OF root
Ing up some very valuable dubious roots this was
the last feather the owner Of the garden put a
pltchtork into his tender sides, and killed him out
| right. AT the coming election, the owner of The
garden was candidate for seat in the legislature.
and Jailed ny one vote, the vote of his incensed
nelghbor, who voted against him. At the election
OF Senator, the democratic candidate was elected
| by one vote-and when the question of war with
England was before the Senate, ii was declared by
majority OF one vce--so that, but for this pig, we
should have been probably saved from this war;
! IL is related OF Chantrey the celebrated SCULPTOR
that, when a boy, he was one day Observed bv .
gentleman in the neighborhood of Sheffield. yer,
earnestly engaged 10 cutting stick with pen
| knife. lie asked the lad what ne was doing aof
with great simplicity, the boy replied:
81 am cutting old Fox's head!'
| Fox was the schOolmaster of the VILLAGE. q,
this the gentleman asked to see what he had done
and pronounclDg it to be an excellent likeness. pre
seDted the youth with six-pence. This NAV b,
Teckoned as the first money Chantrey ever receive,
for the production Of his art and from such a he
ginning it was that arose this eminent mcJern ar
list.
Again we say, despise not small beginnings. no
look with supercious contempt upon everything
which appears insignificant and trihino. Tnfe
are not so plenty in this world as many Of us inao
inc. A philosopher has observed that wars, inyoly
ing mischief TO great nations, have arisen from
ministerial despatch being written in fit Of ihdi
gestion When Alexander Pope received his pre-
sents Of Turkey figs, he little thought that tSyi,
from the basket was to be the means Of introducin
the weeping willow into England and America
30 IS this world made up o. and governed OF TRIES
4 at first too small to attract notice and the wis
man will not only cultivate sharp eyes but aten
tive habits, making the most ard the best Of every