The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-02-23
Agriculture and Professions.

We find the following article in tho Amer
lean Agriculturist. 1t is worthy of an at
tentivc pcrusal:-
"Whcn young men are about completing
their education, they very wisely ask them.
selves what they shall do. A few scanning
the various pursuits, luckily hit upon
something in harmony with their tastes,
while the greater part look only to the
professions rs the legitimate sphere Of edu-
Gated men. Now this conclusion is all
wrong. A college education aims at a
professional life no more than any other
but only u general discipline and culture Of
the mind, which may be applied to all pur.
suits. There are, no doubt, some in each
class who are adapted to, and will honor,
any OF the professions {; but the greater part
are not. and they enter them rather because
they are honorable than in hopes of honor
ing them. But we have little sympathy for
those luminaries which seek TO show by q
reflected light. We have been taught TO
believe that the man should honor the ollise,
not the Office the man that il is better to
follow at the head Of even an humble call.
ing, than follow in the rear Of digniiied
profession. We would rather raise potatoes
which somebody will eat, than make speech
es which no one will hear, or write books
which no one viii read.
But ifthcse young gcntlepen will carefully
look around, they will perhaps, find other
avenues to wealth and distinction besides
the professions. Take for instance, ngricul.
ture not simply the art of plowing the
ground, but agriculture viewed in oil
its practical and scientific bearings, and he
will possibly find scope ior the display of at
least moderate capacities. Indeed, If we
mistake not, some enter the professions,
who would not find waste Of talents in
agricultural pursuits, and who are certainly
quito rs well suited 10 them. But so many
young men are captivated with the idea OF
professional or political titles and life, that
they overlook what they call the humble
ayocations. So away they 60, talking OF
Robert Nall and Daniel Webster, between
whom and themselves there is no more
comparison than between the Alps and an
ant.hill. We would not DO thought to
undermtc the professions by any means |;
but we believe strongly in an adoption, n
fitness for things II a man has no: natu.
ral capacity for one pursuit. let him take
another for which he has natural capacity.
Better handle the pillow with grace, than
make stupid argument.
Nor yet does this avocatiOn preclude
access TO political distinction, TO which so
many young men aspire. We know some
farmers who stand as good chance for office
as many Of their professional brethren, and
who are rs well able to sustain it. They
might not be able to flourish rs delicate q
hand or quibblc so acniely, nor talk so
honiedly but. in good sense and sound
judgment tho essential elements Of q
man they are by no means inferior; We
always like TO see such men: good honest
souls; who lean not on the dignity OF their
profession, but on themselves. Such men
are at once tho strength and pride OF the
country.
Let not young men, therefore, think q
profession sine qua non ''of human great
ness, but let them cast about and see what