Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1855-07-24
III I s 9 iG l. L A T1 Y .
PERSEVERANCE.

THERE is scarce any difficulty that
can not be overcome by perseverance.
Trace any great mind to its culmina.
ton, and you will find that its ascen,
was slow and by natural laws, and that
its difficultiee were such as only ordina
ry minds can surmount. Great results.
whether moral or physical, are not often
the offspring Of giant powers. Genius
is more frequently curse than a bles.
sing. Its possessor, relying on his extra.
ordinary gifts, generally falls into habits
of indolence, and fails TO collect the ma.
terials requisite for useful and magnif.
icent effort. But there is something
which is sure OF success. 1t is the deter.
mination which, having entered upon
career with full conviction that it is
right, pursues it in calm defiance Of all
opposition. With such a feeling, man
can no. help tut be mighty. Toll does
not weary, pain does not arrest him.
Carrying a compass in his heart which
always points to one bright star, he al.
lows no step TO be taken which does not
tend in that direction. Neither the hea
wing earthquake, nor the yawning gulf,
nor the burning mountain can terrily
him from his course and if the heav.
ems should fall; the shattered ruins would
strike him on his way 10 his object :
Sho W me the man who has this principle
and care not 10 measure his blood nor
brains. ] ask not his name nor his ma.
lion-I pronounce that his hand will be
felt upon his generation, and his mind
enstamped upon all succeeding agas.
This attribute is Gol.like. |, may be
tra ID throughout the universe. 1t has
descended from the skies-il is the great
charm of angelic natures. 1t is hardly
10 be contemp p ated, even in the demon
without admiration. 1t is this which
gives the warrior his crown, and encir'
cles his brow with halo that, in the
estimation Of q misjudging world, Meth
er darkness, nor lust, nor blasphemy
nor blood can obscure. The bard o
T.. Mantua, to whose tomb genius in al
r ages makes its willing pilgrimage. neve
t presents his hero in moro attractive
9 light, than when he represents him rol
G ling his misfortunes forward as river
l bearing all opposition before it.
I am we'll satisfied that it is sur
i. passport to mental excellence. Scisnc
I has no summit too lofty for its ascent
literature has no gate too strong for It
entrance. The Graces collect around il
d and the laurel comes at its bidding
. Talk not Of circumstances. Repudiat
+ forever that docttine, so degrading, 8
j. paralyzing, and yet so general, "Man
J. the creature Of circumstances" Rattle
IT adopt that other sentiment, more insp
ring to yourselves, more honorable
d your nature, more consonant with tfutf
"Man the architect Of his own fortune.
% grant that circumstances have their il
fluence, and that often this is not small
I'd but there arc impulses within, to whie
4 things external are as lava to the volc'
no. Circumstances are as tools to tt
st artist. Zeuxis would have been pail
10 ter without canvass. Michael Ange
would have been a sculptor without ma
ir, Bile. HerscheIl would have been ph
losopher without telescope, and Me-
Mt ton would have assembled to the ski
e. though no apple had descended upon t
IS. head. One Of tho most distinguish
n' surgeons Of modern times perform
tn nearly all the operations Of surgery wi
IL q razor. West commenced painting
a garret, and plundered the family cat
ny make bristles for his brushes. VIII
ce Paginini once rose to amuse crowd
fai auditory, he found that his violin b
nd been removed, and coarse instrume
'or lad been substituted for it. Explaini
m. the trick, he said to the audience, IN
The will show you that my music is not
g., my violin, but in me-" Then drawi
ald his bow, he sent forth sounds as sweet
in ever entranced delighted mortsls. Be
ife, sured the world 10 coarse instrumen
in. best, and If you would send forth sw
80 sounds from its strings, there must
ia' music in your fingers. Fortune may
% yor. hut do not rely upon her--do