Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1853-04-20
ADvIcE TO YOUNG MEN.

The following hints 10 young men about
commencing business we find in Freed
ley's Practical Treatise on Business.'---
They are from John Grigg. Esq. and are
not only adapted TO the city merchant or
storekeeper. but. in principle to every pur-
suit in life. We hope they viii be gcne-
rally. read, pondered and applied. by old
as we'll as young. and they cannot but ef,4
feet good. Were they followed strictly.
We should have a more prosperous COM
muuity. fewer failures. and greatly en-
HANGED business character. But 20 Mr..
Grigg's hints.
1. BE industrious and economical.---
Waste not time nor money in small and
useless pleasures and indulgencies. If
the young can be induced to save. the mo-
ment they enter upon the paths of life. the
way will ever become easier before them.
and they will not fail to attain n compe-
tency, and that without denying them
selves any of the real necessaries and
comforts of life. Our people are certain
ly among the most improvident and extra
VACANT on the face of the earth. It is
enough 10 make the merchant of the old
school, who looks back and thinks what
economy. prudence and discretion ho had
to bring to bear upon his own business.
land which are in fact the cause OF all
successful enterprises start back in as.
constituent 10 look at the Ruthless waste
aud extravagRnce of the age and people.
The highest terms OF respectabiliiy with
me, is honest industry. Well directed
industry makes men happy. The really
noble clRss-the class that Was noble
when Adam delved and Eve spun,' and
have preserved their patents 10 this day
untarnished-is the lpborious and indus.
trious. Until men have learned industry,
economy and self.control. they cannot
safely be intrusted with wealth.
2. To industry and economy, add self.
reliance. Do not take too much advice.
The business man must keep at the helm
and steer bis own ship. In early life eve
cry one should be taught TO think for him.
self A mans talents arc never brought
out until he is thrown 10 some extent on
his own resources. IL in every difficulty
he has only TO run to his principal, ard
then implicitly obey the directions be may
receive, he will never acquire that apti.
tude of perception, and that promptness
of decision, aud that tirmness of purpose,
which are absolutely necessary 20 those
who hold important stations. Ascertain
degree OF independent feeling 10 essential
10 the development of the intellectual
character.
3. Remember that punctuslity Is tho
mother of confidence. IL is not enough
that the merchant fulils his engagements
he must do what he undertakes pre-.
cisely at the time, as we'll as the way he
agreed to. The mutual dependence Of
merchants is so great that their engage
ments. like a chain. which according 70
the law of physics, is never stronger than
its weakest links. are often broken more
through the weakness Of others than their
own. But a prompt ful6llment Of en-
gagements is not only Of the utmost i'm
por;ance, because Il enables others TO
meet their own engagements promptly
Ii is also the best evidence that The ner-
chant has his affairs well ordered, his
means Of command, his forces marshal
led. and everything ready for action
in short, that he knows his own strength.
This IL is which inspires confidence, as
much, perhaps, as the meeting Of Che en-.
gagement. "a
4. Be ptteniive to the niEueTlA Of the
business. small things as well as great
See that the store i opened early, goods
brushed up. twine and nails picked up,
and al ready for action. A young man
should consider capital merely a. tools
with which he is 70 work, not a substitute
for the necessity Of hard labor. Il Is Of
ten the case that diligence ia employ
ments Of less consequences Is the most sue
cessful introduction 20 great enterprises.
Those make the best officers who have
served in the ranks. We may say Of
labor as CoIeridge said Of poetry. it's its
own sweetest reward. II Is the best Of
physie.
5. Let the young merchant remember
that seiishness is the meanest Of vices.
and il is the parent Of a thoussnd moie.
Il not only inierferes both with the means
and with The end OF acg1isition-not only
makes money more difficult to get. anu
not worth having when il is got. but it
Is narrowing 70 the mind and 10 the heart.
Selfshness keeps . shilling 50 close to the
eye that il cannot see dollar beyond---
Never be narrow and contracied IN your
views. Life abounts in instances OF The
brilliant fesu' q q generous policy.