Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1855-02-10
INDIVIDUALITY.

In the great orchestra Of life every instrument
must play It's own part, The double bass-fddle
cannot play the dulcel strain or the violin roll
out the deep tones Of the double-bass the oph-
eclide strives in vain TO reach the higher reg
lister Of the buge and the bugle labors for nanght
when il strives after the sonorous sounds Of the
opheclide the big bass drum may pound away
never 80 furiously and fast, il cannot reach the
stirring roll Of its little fellow by its side, and
the litilo snare drum, with all the DISCUSSES il
can put on, gives but faint limitation Of its big
fellow. This life is vast orchestra, in which
all manner Of instruments are played, and while
each confines himself bis own score, the har-
mony is perfect, and no discord CRATES upon the
ear. But let the big bass fiddle undertake to
play the violin's part and sec what precious
row will be kicked up. Every man is born to
certain part, or il not born into il, he is ed
uca,ed into it, and education is naiure-so that
every man, in fact, has an instrument all tuned
10 his hand. II may be big bass-fddle. II
il is, lie, him stick 10 lhat--he can succeed with
no other go well. II he is born into that sphere,
10 which " slow and sure" is the motto, he can
gain neither honor, wealth, or fame. but by slow
stages. His whole temperament is adapted 10
that style Of movement. lie is certain and cir
cumspect in his positions, il he sspires 10 honor
careful and close in his bargains. IL he aspires
to wealth siudous and perseyerine, If be as
pires 10 fame. Such man, By these means,
will reach the mark at which he aims, If he is
content to pursue it in the way which to him is
alone the legitimate way. II he thinks he can
compass his designs by other means, because
others have done il, he only wastes the energies
which he is sure to misapply, and falls wofully
short. He is not made for il, and his very first
step betrayed him. On the other hand. here is
man born with violin 10 his hand IA regular
Cremoni at that-all in pcriec, tune With
him, "strike while the iron Is hot" is the motto.
II he aspires to honor, he launches upon the
popular sea, without thought beyond the
Present--and somehow he is always lucky, and
bears of the honors from all competitors. III
he aspires 10 wealth, "nothing venture, nothing
have" is the bold motto which he throws out
he marks his bargains, and not over anxously,
trusting To human honesty save him from i'm
position, and taking the tide at full food il
leads him to fortune. II he aspires TO fame, he
dashes at It, and takes il by storm, while The men
OF slower mould arc ioiliAg slowly up '',he steep
where Fame's bright temple shines afarp The
majority Of men are not so constituted. They
are not all born with bass-fddles in their hands,
indeed, but few eau play the leading part No
orchestra, however large, has more than one
leader They must be content to take the lot
in which they are cast, and play tho instrument
to which they are adapted. The mass can no
more achieve what now and then we see men
achieve, in the pursuit of honor, wealth or fame,
than an elephant can dance hornpipe. So then,
let no man be diseontenied because he cannot
set the laws of nature at defiance, let him be in
what pursuit he may. Let him be himself, and
not try 10 be any body else. A mere imiiator
seldom, il ever, Succeeds man who acts him.
self, seldom fails, at last, though ioilsome and !
long may be the way TO his success.---Nasliua
IN H1 JeIepr0ph