Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1855-08-21
MORAL AND RELlG1DUs.
From the Philadelphia Ledger.
Keep your Watch fast.

WHEN Prince TalIeyrand was in of.
fee, he always had agents who visited
the olfee.houses and other places Of re.
sort in Paris, who reported TO him what
ordinary people said Of all public meas.
ures and public men. While he was
dressing in the morning, these agents
we're admitted, and thus informed him OF
the state Of current opinions upon all
important affairs. From these sources,
he obtained the IDEAS Of many Of those
measures which made him the most re-.
nowned diplomatst Of his day. When
asked the secret Of that sagacity which
had surprised all Europe, he quietly re.
piled that his rule aDas 10 keep his match
ten minutes faster than those around
him. That is, anticipating those chang.
es which public feeling had rendered
certain, he always placed himself al,
their head, and thus appeared to be lea.
der, while others waited to be led. This
is the great secret of all success in life.
The wise man waits not to be the sport
Of men OF measures, but anticipates the
inevitable.
In the choice of associates and friends
if man will but keep his watch ten
minutes fast, it will save him from many
troublesome and disreputable acquain.
tance. Two wea lthy men in one Of the
Southern States visited the city together.
They were brothers.in.law. Both had
speculated largely, and they frequently
endorsed each others paper. They
strolled into billiard room, and one OF
them was soon engaged in high play,
and won thousan dollars that night.
It was not to either OF them large sum
either to win or lose. Nothing was said
at the time, but next morning the fortu.
nate player bought valuable property
on time and requested his brother. in. law
to become his security. The other re.
piled that had he applied the previous
day, he should Of course have done it al
once, but after what had happened the
night before, he saw that he would soon
be ruined, and would endorse for him nc
more. In a few years, the successful
player was ruined, and lawsuits proba.
bly, not yet decided have grown out o
that very purchase. The other became
immensely wealthy. speculated largely
in cotton, and once related this anecdott
as a proof Of his sagacity. He, howev
er, himself became addicted to intempe
rance, and not long after, large cottor
planter refused to send him cotton, les
his affairs might get into confusion, ow
ing TO hishabits. Thus each man is try
ing to set his watch faster than his neigh
Dor, and he who succeeds wins.
/ Character is the essence Of destiny
and habits soon form and fix character
All men have in the circle Of their &C
quaintance, many whose habits viii
cause them to rise, while others for tn
same reason must sink. If misfortun
overtake friend, or injustice be done t
him, abhorred be the man who will no
stick to his companion, and do his bes
to see him through. But for that yer
: reason, if he knows beforehand that hi
associate be a man Of dishonorable Q
unprincipled habits, let him not cultivat
his acquaintance. but keep his watc
: ten minutes fast. So he who helps fol
:, ward an industrious, we'll. principle
!. man, however obscure and poor at thi
= time, is but anticip a,ing the judgment {
:, the world. leading public opinion instea
= Of folio wing it, making friend who
sure to rise.
In the government Of himself esp
cially, let man strive to set his wats
. faster than other people. Habits goe
in themselves may increaae till they b
come injurious 10 health or chara cter.-
Z Some need keeping in check, some stir
:. ulating. some pruning. and somehow
= right weeds-need pulling right up. 70
y y and branch, without mercy. II tax,
= : ia time, and with daily care, It will
~ Q pleasant duty thus to keep in order 4