Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1854-11-16

ANSsCOS buVAI VWu CWttuTGp &uU tOg tnls
they abandon their children entirely Il
teachers who arc often inefficient. For
this also the slower yet more certain
methods of amassing riches, pursued BY
their fathers, are deserted, and either
visionary speculations substituted in their
place, or legitimate business extended
beyond prudent limits. The community
is strewn with east Always. so TO speak !;
the standard wrecks produced by this
eager haste after wealth. The high ways
OF society are white with the bones Of
those have peiished in the Intellectual race
after sudden riches. and who after strain
ing every nerve. have sunk helplessly a
last by the, way>side, there TO perish
nsgleeled and dts.rted BY the hurrying
crowd.
y Fewmen. esen il they succeed in OBJ
tang fortune by bold stroke, either res
tain or enjoy il. The wealth which has
been easily acquired is often diseipated
as rapidly. Weak human nature ii rarely
proof aginst the temptation Of sudden
riches. II has been well said by one Of
the profonndest observers Of his race that
ever lived. that prosperity is more diff,
cult to bear than adversely. But prosper.
ity slowly acquired, accastoms poison
gradulIy to his change Of condition, and
the balance Of mind is not, therefore lia>
BILE to be so readily upset as in rapid
elevations. "A sudden rise TO wealth
dazzlpst the subject. likeo one emerging into
sunlight from mine. Or il makes him
dizzy, like one unexpectedly placed on an
eminence. Even Napoleon the Great,
though the greatest intellect. perhaps
that has lived for the last two thousand
years lott tie eqaipoisc Of his mind at
last, ia consequence Of his vast successes.
Had he been less universally triumphant
in his earlier years. his latter years might
have been spent at Fontainbleau instead
Of St. Helena !; for he would have escap-
ed that excessive confidence which,
amounting finally toward lemerity, pre-.
cipita.ed bin into, ruin.
BUTT is even more difficult to enjoy
riches Suddenly acquired than il is 10
retain them. There SEEMS 10 be some-
thing vicious. per Sc. in the rapid acqui-
sition Of wealth, so that it actually units
the possessor for the calm enjoyment Of
life. For all true happiness IS quiet.
Excitement is not real felicity, as the
revulsion which follows il, and is newt
able in the very nature of things. suffi-
cie ntly establishes. Men who have made
fortunes quickly. can rarelys however,
settle down TO what they call 9 life Of
tsmeness they must have something to
"stir them up" as they say, and require
it in fact, as much as a confirmed drunk
ard does his glass. No; sudden wealth
is not 10 be desired. for It is snare often
10 the best. Labor. at least moderate
labor. is as needful for the happiness OF
man, as exercise il for health. The over
worked operative in an English mine.does
not more surely violate the laws Of nature,
through compulsion than the rich man.
who does not work at all violates them
Of his own accord. Extremes on either
side lead to misery. The golden mean
is the only sure part. Those, therefore.
who have 1t In their power, and who
desire real happiness in life. should fol-
low that safer road. avoiding the quick.
sands of sudden wealth. on one side as
carefully rs they would the precipics Of
poverty ON the other. e&n a[
PAINFUL SECRETS. Bulwer, q man OF
genius, and greatly admired by some,
said in letter TO gentleman 10 Boston.
in ls4S. II have closed my career as a
writer of fiction. am gloomy and I'M
happy. have exhausted the powers
Of life chasing pleasure where Il is not
to be found." '.'fs s.7@a '..8 9~
How much better it Bulwer had dis.
covered his mistake at an earlier period
Had he employed his gifted mind in
strengthening the cords Of virtue. in
REFRESHING unholy passions instead Of fan.
ming them, how different would have
been his review of lifel
81 am gloomy and unhappy r Richard
Baxter said no such thing at the close Of
his useful lie. He had written much.
but he had not "chased pleasure where
it is not to be found" John Bunyan
made no such record at the close Of bis
nor did Owen. or Edwards. or Brainafi
or Wesley, or Fuller, or Scott. OF PaysoD.
Men will resp as they SOW. in spite Of all
their hopes and effo,ts TO the contrary
We have often. thought Of the Italian
actor in Paris. He ives gloomy and I'M
happy. like Bulwep. He consulted q
physician. His physician advised him
10 mingle in scenes Of gayety. "Espe>
cislly. said he, Ego to The Italian theatre,
and il Ca,Iins does not dispel your gloom,
your case must be desperate indeed.
"Alas. sir." replied the patient, Il my-
self am Carlina /; and while I make oil
Paris full Of laughter and merriment.
am dying with melancholy and chagrin."
What commentary on those pleasures,
10 which so many indulge TO keep up The
splits and drive away melancholy ]
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