The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1854-03-29
Editing as q Profession.

We see by our exchanges that several
newspaper establishments are for sale
They are said to be, and We believe they are,
in fourishing towns, surrounded by thriv-
ing country-and arc we'll supported. I'm
paired health Of the editors, which renders
it impossible to continue longer in the busi-
ness, Is assigned rs The sole cause Of these
frequent editorial changes.
These facts furnish US an instructive les
son. Whilst the merchant, the lawyer, the
mechanic, and the farmer pursue their var-
Gus occupations for years, with health sell
dom intcrrupted-whilstt the preacher per.
haps, performs as much mental aud four
times rs much physical labor as the editor,
without any delcterious effect upon his
constitution, the latter languishes under
disease, unless relieved sinks into premature
decay, and dies. We could point out hun
dreds instances, tending to prove these facts
&. ID. Prcnts of the Louisville Journal, says
that of two or three artners, that he has
had in that establishment, and three associ-
ate editors, not one is now living! But We
need not multiply instances. Many of our
Texas readers, young as the country is, can
point out in their village cemeteries, the
mound beneath which repose the remains
Of the gifted young man who started the
first paper in their town. He embarked in
the enterprise with buoyant spirits, and Il
brilliant prospects before him. Every cner-
Of ,,,I, ID ..k~
just ns his labors began to be appreciated,
and he was about to reap the pecuniarv
fruits Of his anxious toll, his physical system
gave way under the constant wear Of con-
tinued and intense exertion Of the mind
The mind is so constituted as to require,
like the body, alternate labor and repose.-
Those occupations which demand great and
frequent efforts Of the mind, if they allow il
suitable seasons of relaxation, arc not inju-
rious to health. Judcious exercise is ncces
sary for the heal lthful delopcmcnt and vigo-
rous action Of the mental ~ well as the
physical constitution. The occupations of
the lawyer, the divine, the farmer and me-
chanic, all afford the mind abundant periods
of rest. But such is by no means the case
with that Of the editor. His over task ed in
tellect finds no reposc. His duties must be
performed continually-not periodically -
Whether he feels like mental exertion or
not, whether sick or well, his articles must
be written, and all his multfaiious duties
performed. These labors are certainly suffi-
cient to break down an ordinary constitu-
tion-but when we add to them, pecuniary
disappointment and embarrassment, lack of
expected appreciation, the Indifference Of
| friends and tho sarcasn "f enemies, We have
a satisfactory explanation of tho causes
which disappoint tho hopes, and cut short
the career Of 80 great portion of newspa-
per cditors.
There u occasionally an editor endowed
with strong body and we'll poised mind
alike Indifferent tn-cpnsnna -aal- P.-.i.e
satisfied with his own powers, neither al
lured with hope, nor alarmed by fears, that
will triumph over all obstacles, and pursuing
calmly. the even tenor Of his way, attain re-
nown, wealth, and long life; but willis,
such an individual may, like any other pro,
Dizzy, occasionally be found, numbers fall n
round him, the victims Of unrcquitted msn.
fal labor, and disappointed hopes - victorm
Texas, Adrocate All inst.