Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-08-09
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Fon ~ sprn1r or LIE AaE

course, supposed 10 nave Deep deHyered sDy :
IN aged man to a company of both sexes at
a public auction. 1t was written nearly a
hundred years ago, and appeared then in |
all the colonial newspapers; and on reach '
ing England it was printed on one large
sheet, to be hung against the wall Of aroom
in order that "'The way to Wealth" might
always be in sight, and spread all over the
British islands. 1t was translated into
French three times, twice during the Au-
thor's life, and once after his death Sew
eral edi6ous Of each Of these translations
wero issued aud large numbers distributed
gratuitously amoag the poorer classes. Also
in 1923, another edition was issued at Pa
ris to be distributed among the Greeks
while they were engaged in their struggle
for independence, with q brief account of
the author in Bomaic or modern Creek
IL is commended to the careful perusal of
your readers. TYPO.
The way to Wealth. !
COURTEOUS READER: l have heard that
nothing gives an author so great pleasure
as to find his woris respectfully quoted by
others. Judge then, how much | must
have been gratiGed by an incident am go
ing to relate to you. / stopped my horse
lately where a great number of people were
collected at an auction of merchants goods
The hour of the sale not being come, they
were couversing the badness ofthe times;
and one of the company called to plain,
clean old man, with white locks" Pray,
father Abraham, what think you of the
times Will not these heavy taxes quite
ruin the country How shall we ever be
able to pay them ? What would you ad-
wise us to p Father Abraham stood up
and replied, &" If you would have my adj
vice, / will give it you in short; for, a
word to the wise is enough, as poor Richard
says" They joined in desiring him to
speak his mind, and gathering around him,
he proceeded as follows:
" Friends" says he, " the taxes are in
deed very heavy, and if those laid on by
the government were the only ones we had
to pay, we might more easily discharge
them; but we have many others, and much
more grievous to some of u.s. We are tax
cd twice as much by our idleness, three
times as much by our pride, and four times
as much by our folly, and from these taxes
the commissioners cannot ease or deliver
US, by allowing an abatement. However, LEI
nESy -ua'vUue Tor III; 'rJr -Ut0u -neIps them
that helps themselves, as poor Richard says
l. 1t would be thought a hard govern
ment that should tax its people one tenth
of their time, to be employed in its service
but idlenoss taxes many of US much more
Sloth, by bringing on diseases, absolutely
shortens life. Sloth, like rust, consume;
faster than labor wears; while the used key
is always bright, as poor Richard says
But dost thou love life and then do no.
squandcr time, for that is the stuff life il
madeof, as poor Richard says. How much
more than is necessary do we spend il
sleep, forgetting that the sleeping fox catch
es no poultry and that there will be sleep
ing enough in the grave, as poor Richard
says.
elf time be of all things the most pre-
cious, wasting time must be, as poor Rich
ard says, the greatest prodigality since, a
he elsewhere tells US, lost time is neve
found again; and what we call time enough
always proves little enough. Let us the
up and be doing, and doing to the purpose
so, by diligence, shall we do more with les
porplexity. Sloth makes all things difieult
but industry all easy and he that riset
late must trot all day, and shall scarcel
oyertake his business at night while laz
ness travels so slowly that poverty 500
overtakcs him. Drive thy business, let nc
that drive thee; and early to bed and earl
to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, an
wise, as poor Richard says. .-.
"So, what signifies wishing and hopin
for better times2 We may make the,
times better, if we bestir. ourselves. Il
dustry need not wish and he that lives u
on hopes will die fasting. There are
gains without pains; Then help, hand
for have no lands: or if | have they a
smarty taxed. He that hath trade, hat
an estate, and he that hath calling hat
an Office Of profit and honor, as poor Ric
ard says; but then the trade must be worl
ed at, and the calling followed, or Meth
the estate nor the Office will enable us
pay our taxes. If we are industrious Y
shall never starve for at the workincmar
house hunger looks in, but darcs not ente
Nor will the bailif or the constable entC
for industry pays debts, while despair
creascth them. What though YOU ba
found no treasure, nor has any rich re-
ton left you legacy, diligence is the moi
or Of good luck, and God gives all things
industry. Then plough deep while 81
CARDS sleep, aud you shall have corn to :
aud to keep. Work while it is called
day, for you know not how much you n
be hindered tomorrow, as poor Rich
says and further, never leave that till
morrow, which you can do to-day. If
were a servant, would you not be ashat
that a good master should catch you id
Are youthcn your own master2 BE easht
ed to catch yourself idle, when there il
much to be done for yourself, your fam
aud your country. Handle your tools W
out mittens, remembering that the cat
gloves catches no mice, as poor Rich
says IL is true there is much to be dC
aud perhaps you are weak-handed
stick to It steadily, and you will see g
effects; for constant dropping wears a,
stones, and by diligence and patience
mouse ate in tothe cable and little strc
fell great oaks
Methinks | hear some of you say, n