Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1850-10-22
OCCUPATIONS.

The following excellent remarks from
the Waverly Magazine, are so strongly
characterized with good sense and every
day applications, we have at once set them
down as sound doctrine:
There is most radical error pervadng
society at the present in regard to plain,
honest, hardy industry. A greater or more
foolish mistake never associated itself with
the popular prejudices, than that it is the
nature of his avocalion that gives character
and dignity to man. For our part we should
be sadly puzzled to discover the distinction
between any two of the varied occupations
which employ the industry of man, lha!
would raise the operative in the one case
above the one in the other. One occupa-
ton is precisely as cred'able in itself, and
as commendable to its industrious pursuer
as another, provided i, be honorable, and in
perfect harmony with the laws of God and
man. Ii is the man that ennobles the oc-
cupatlon, not the occupation that dIgnlies
the man. 1t is we'll that we are not all fit
ted by habit, education and taste, for the
same avocalion. However, these natural
divisions are by no means distinctions. 1t
is the diversity of taste, together with good
and wholesome laws and regulations that
harmonic this vast workshop of intricate
industry, the world. Without this diversi-
ty, all would be riot and confusion, and
physical power alone would reap the benc-
fits of labor. As it is, the weak and strong
have each their several and appropriate al
lotmen,s.
The man who follows in the wake Of the
plowshare, in his striped frock, and with
bronzed and toughened hands, plants his
tseed-lhe man with smu.ty face and leather
apron, who, with strong and vigorous sim
ews, swings his changing sledge from early
morn to twilight eve-or the man who
bends over his ringing laps,onc the live long
day, is not one whit below the smoolhed-
faced, keen-eyed merchant who follows the
feminine employment of measuring tape and
rlbbon--.he eagle-eyed barrister who ex-
pounds, or rather mystifes the law, or he
whose stately tread resounds in the halls
of legislation. Still, there exists in the COM
muni,y low and baneful prejudice in re-
gard TO this matter Of labor. Why, fathers
nova days must keep sharp eye on their
sons, least they stray from "the learned pro-
fession," and take up the degrading occu-
patton Of mechanic, and thus entail ca
lami.y upon the family which can never be
wiped out. The daughters, too, must have
a maternal spy upon their every glance and
footstep, least she be slipping the light o.
her'ee upon some poor mechanics" Horri-
BILE! Why, the good lady would as soon
think Of linking her daughter with Pata-
gonian heather as mechanic.
Are not the use Of the trowel, the anvil
the spade, and the hammer, just as laudable
employments wherewilh to build up oul
comforts in life, as the yardstick, the pestle
and mortar, or library? Equally as homo
rable and respectable, since they are al
employed for the same purpose. Labor is
labor, whether performed in the field anc
workshop, or behind the counter. and in
the study. Honesty and honorable labor
are the same, whether performed by The
king or The peasant, by the priest or lay
man; it is just as honorable in the one as
the other, and as worthy Of the respect anc
admiration Of the world.