Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1855-10-10

Be CAREFUL OF SMALL THINGs.-Irving
In his life of Washington, dwells on the par
ticularity with which the great hero, attend
ed to the minutest affairs. The Father of
his country, as his correspondence and ac-
count books show, was careful of small things
as well as Of great, not disdaining to scruti-
nIzei the most petty expense of his house
hold; and this even while acting as chief
magistrate of the first republic in the world.
In private circles in this city, tradition pre-
serves numerous anecdotes of this character
istic, which if necessary, we could quote.
The example of Washington in this re-
spect, might teach an instructive lesson, to
those who scorn what they call "petty" de-
tails. There are thousands of such individu-
ais in every community. We all know more
or less of them. Nothing can be worthy of
attention, in their opinion, unless it can be
conducted on a grand scale. They will not
condescend to the pennies, it is only the dol
lars to which they will attend. They spurn
small business They talk superciliously
of those who over look the little leakages that
waste so much money in every concern. To
hear them, one might think, they were above
the ordinary affairs of life, and that nothing
was worthy Of their time, except discovering
a California OF conquering kingdom.
Yet no man ever made fortune, or rose
to greatness in any department., without be-
ing careful of small things" AS the beach
is composed of grains Of sand, as the ocean is
made up of drops of water, SO the millionaire
is the aggregation Of single venturers, often
inconsiderable in amount Every eminent
merchant, from Girard and Astor down has
been noted for his attention to details. Few
distinguished lawyers have ever practiced in
the courts, who have not been remarkable
for similar characteristic. 1t was one of
the most striking peculiarities of the first Ma
poleon's mind. The most petty details of
his household expenses the most trivial facts
relating to his troops, were, in his opinion, as
worthy of his attention, as the tactics of
battle, the plan of a campaign, or the revis-
ion of code-Demosthenes, the worlds un-
rivalled orator, was as anxious about his ges-
lures or intonation, as about the texture of
his argument Or its garniture of words. Be-
fore such great examples, and in the very
highest walks of intellect, how contemplate
the conduct of the small minds who despise
small things. Phila. Ledger.
AN IMPORTANT IMPRovEMENr.-The ex-
press train from the east which arrived at
Rochester Wednesday afternoon, attracted
considerable attention at the depot in conse-
quence of the wheels and connections of the
cars being entirely concealed from view.-
Boards are placed on the sides of the cars al
most as low as the rails, and canvas extends
from one platform to another, covering all
the connections. This arrangement is de-
signed to keep down the dust, which can on
ly escape at the end of the last car in the
train. 1t will also prevent accidents, avoid
ing loss Of life and limb. No passenger or
other person can get from the cars under the
wheels without removing the covering. There
is no such thing as falling between the wheels
at the platform, for the space between the
cars is covered with canvas capable of sus-
tanning the weight of ten men.
This plan of protecting passengers in cars
from dust and accident is patented, we un-
derstand, and has already been introduced
elsewhere with success. We are informed
that the inventor designs to make further
improvement with view to carrying the
smoke and cinders from the locomotive un-
der the cars also to the rear of the train. If
he does this he may be regarded as a public
benefactor. We hope the Central Company
will introduce this improvement upon all their
passenger trains. Rochester Union.
MATRIMONIAL GossIP.-The Washington
correspondent of the st. Louis Republican
furnishes that paper with the following bit of
gossip:
Mr.. Buchanan's contemplated route on his
return to the United States, has been clearly
defined, but his purposes have been a matter
of conjecture. He lands at New Orleans and
proceeds up the Mississippi to Memphis
thence to Nashville-thence by no particular
route to his home in Pennsylvania. I came