Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1852-02-17
For the Grand River Times.

~ MEssRs. BARNS & ANGEL Permit me
through the columns Of your paper, to submit
for the consideration Of your readers, few
thoughts on the Importance of composition
To be able to express our ideas in clear, forci-
BILE and easy style of composition, according to
good taste, and the rules of grammar and log
c, is an accomplishment of great practical i'm
portance to all, and indispensable to the bust
ness man and statesman. BY means of it, a
person can gain the confidence, and secure the
friendship and esteem of the good, the learned
and the wise and give publicity to his own
views upon subjects of Importance, however
humble those views may be; besides the great
facility it affords in the prosecution of business
transactions Yet, comparatively how few there
are, who are possessed of this invaluable part
of good education! And why! Simply be-
cause persons will not use the means placed in
| their power to accomplish it-they will not pay
the price of it. 1t is not the product of few
lessons, or efforts, nor Indifferent application.
1t is law of our existence, that nothing valua-
bic is obtained, without great labor and pains.
He who would, then, possess this art, in an en-
inent degree, must apply himself closely and as
siduously, for some years. But an application
to books, in connection with proper exercise
in composition, with reference to Improvement
WILL in time, without the aid of living teachers
secure good and correct style Of prose wri.
ting, that will be highly useful and credtabe to
its possessors; and the discipline of mind, con.
sequent upon the attainment of this, to say
nothing of its utility and the useful knowledge
gained at the same time, will be worth far more
than the cost of it. Think of the great advan.
tages and benefits DIR. Franklin enjoyed, when
young man from his ability to write we'll, and
the means he employed to gain that ability, and
then labor to attain the same object, you who
like him, would be useful to your country anC
fellows, and leave behind you, when you ex
change worlds, a lasting witness of this fact, II
the productions of your pen. If you are poor
and not favored with such opportunities for eff
fecting this, which you could wish, remembe
FRANKLIN, and persevere with a determination
commensurate with the Importance of your pur
suit, and success will ultimately crown your eff
forts. But again; look at HORACE GREEDY, O
the ". Y. Tribune, one of the most distinguish
ed editors of the United States, who Yields
stronger moral power over the minds of men
with his pen than did the armies Of Bonaparte
and then remember that in May Of 1926, he en-
tered the office of the Northern Spectator, pub
lshed in East Poultney, Vermont as an appren
tice, then youth of fourteen, poor and a stran
ger, and had not enjoyed the advantages of al
education, but, who, like his great prototype
FRANKLIN, raised himself to his present higl
and commanding position as writer, by hus
banding to the best advantage, his opportuni
ties for Improvement in the printing office aht
never say that poverty, or the want of advanta
ges are insurmountable barriers in your way
Will you, then, labor for the attainment of1hi
valuable art, and like those illustrious persons
| have named, become blessing and honor t.
your countay, or, will you, steep those nob
powers of mind that were given to you by you
Creator for high and noble purposes, in lethar
gy, inactivity and ignorance! Let every on
answer by acting in reference to the importanc
of the subject.
Grand Haven, Feb II, 1852. H.
WASHINGTON, Feb. a.