Delaware State reporter., 1854-11-21
Selected 5kete hes.
American characteristics.

The wonderful elasticity Of the Ameri-
cans is one of their prominent traits that is
much dwelt upon. There is gutta-pcrcha
plability of disposition and temper, which
prevents them from being eeet dow" e.-1
discouraged, however great may be the mis-
fortunes and reverses to which they are sub
jcctcd. They never make great lost with
out considerable gain; they seldom fall
great distance without bouncing up i'll a
corresponding proportion. Like Blucher
they never know they are beaten, but rise
after every defeat, however hopeless it may
seem to others, aud fight on as if nothing
happened Read the lives of our promi-
nent men, and observe how great a variety
of fortune many Of them have experienced
If Patrick Henry had been able or willing
to pay little more attention to his business
when he kept small groggery, his shop
might have supported him, and his name
have remained unknown to fame. Gen.
Greene could not reconcile his taste for
books and his military ardor with his labors
at the forge; so he doffed his leathcrn
apron and quakcr's coat, badc adieu to his
young wife, and enlisted as private soldier.
A bungling use of the lap-stone and awl
made Roger Sherman signer of the De-
,caration of Independence. Elihu Burritt
threw down his blacksmith's hammer, and
a short time after was astonishing the great
and learned of the old world by his powers
as iinguist, and the extent of his learning
John Neal and John Picrpont, so distin-
guished as poets and prose-writers, were
once together in the dry-goods business.
After two failures, one was driven to the
magazine and newspaper, and the other
went to the pulpit. They soon achieved
great prominence in their new avocations.
Even two or three reverses in business We're
necessary to develope the pccultar but
world-renowmed talents of Barnum. Some
distinguished preachers have run the gaunt-
let of occupations before they became minis
ters of the Gospel. They have been, per
haps, shoe-makers, pedlars, school-teachers,
horse-iockeys, and what not, before they
reached the pulpit Their varied expert
ence has enabled them to carry to the pro
fession of the ministry practical know
ledge of human nature, which makes then
preaching, if they have talent, very effective
Coarse tastes and habits too, ready adap
tation of disposition to circumstances, almost
enables them to leave off with their ole
clothes.
Instances of this kind in the old coun
tries, are the exceptions: in this county,
they are the rule.
1t is well-known fact, that of the mos
enlightened nations of the old world there
is but little versatility of talent among thu
people at large. Generation after genera
tion follows in the footsteps of its illustriou
or ignoblc predecessors. Children must in
variably follow the same avocations, OF ar
brought up to the same cmployments, tina
their fathers pursued before them. In thi
country, it is entirely different. Boys witt
or without education take to this or tina
employment, that, for the time being, 1'pay
the best" and they generally feel, while re
tanning it, that they will only remain at
till something better offers. They very Sc
dom feel settled at anything, but arc cor
stantly looking for something better. Thi
is predominating feeling with them unit
nearly or quite middle aged, when they ar
apt to become fully persuaded what callin
in life they are best qualified for. We al
not sure that it is any harm for a man
box the compass Of occupations and expcr