Butte record. (Bidwell, Butte County, Cal.) 1853-1858, 1857-03-21
IFrom The Golden Era.
Self Cultivation.
BY sLUICE-F0RK.

before, but | do not recollect the au-
thor,) | do not wish to be understood
to say that any man should distinguish
himself by the performance of wrong
and wicked acts, by no means; but
that overy man should endeavor to
make the best and most of himself, both
for his own and his country's good. 1t
is wise order aud arrangement of the
great Creator, that men differ in their
natural constitutions and inclinations.
Il all were endowed with the same ca
pacities and proclivities, they would
diverge to the same point, to the COM
plete destruction of all for it is as
clear as the light at noon day that the
inhabitants of our earth could not sub
sist if all were to follow the same occu-
patton and seek the same objects.
While the farmer follows the plough
and cultivates the earth as his darling
occupation, the professional man looks
upon him and wonders how he can be
content in such situation and in the
performance of such almost beast-like
toll and drudgery And it is the same
on the other hand with the farmer
He would not for all the world be
professional man, and confine himself
to the silent library and slifed air Of
a small apartment, and he wonders, too,
how any man could feel content in such
a situation. | have taken the profess
tional man and the farmer as illustra-
sions of the principle of difference in
the natural capacities and inciinations
which prevails generally among man
kird. What one likes another dislikes,
and it is these likes and dislikes which
tend to the production OF the great
variety by which all are accommodate
ed and sustained In whatever occu-
patton man chooses to follow, he should
endeavor to distinguish himsrlfin that
occupation, by carrying it forward to
some point of perfection rot rea ched
by others, and thus make his mark in
the world. But aside from the parti-
cular trade or occupation one chooses
to follow, there are a hundred oppor-
tunities for excellence and renown, by
which he may make an indel BILE mark
upon the records of fame. Indeed,
there are so many ways to do good,
that one never lacks an opportunity to
perform an act of philanthropy and
goodnes by which even Immortality
itself NAV be secured. Every man
should think hims If man, the first
being in the great scale of animal crea-
ton, and only the third being in des-
cent from the great Supreme Ruler of
the universe. Viewing himself placed
in such high position in the vastnees Of
creation, how is it that man can do
otherw wise than enleavor to act IN his
proper sphere and maintain the honor
and dignity of the position in which his
benefcent Creator has placed him ; If
men would only turn their thoughts
upon themselves and duly consider the
high and responsible position they oc-
cupy in the grand scale of creation,
they would not snffer themselves to fall
from their high estate, or drop below
the level of their proper sphere and
the true dignity of their position SO
mote it be.
But says the reader, What meanest
thou' A few weeks ago thou vert in
dulging in wine--even to intoxication,
but now thou art preaching morality
and goodness. Explain these things,
oh, Sluice- Fork True, 0, beloved
reader, Sluice-Fork did, on certain
occasion, through incorporate sippings
of the crimson jnice, become slightly
'oblivious,' but be it known unto thee,
that thy humble servant claims no ex-
elusive virtues, and does not pretend
to be exempt from the liabilities to err,
incident to the rest of mankind. sTo
err, is human and no poor mortal is
more duly sensible of this fact than he
who writes these lines. Yetiwhen
stop for reflection, and ratioclnate up
on the situation Of man and the high
purposes of his creation, | feel the true
dignity and responsibility of my posi-
ton, and with an eye of faith can
look clear through this vale of tears,
to a brighter and hoier sphere, where
nei,eer moth nor rust doth corrupt
topers suck whiskey, gamblers buck at
monte, nor thieves break through and
steal
These reflections irresistibly bring to
my mind the awful condition Of my fell
low-citizens at Columbia. Oh, ye per-
verse Columbians, let me warn you to
fee from the wrath to come On, ye
gamblers. take warning in time, and
beware of the Grand Jpry and the ad-
ministrtiou of the law, for day ofrec-
koniog is at hand, the authorities have
spoken it And ye wine bibber-,
(Sluice-Fork has sworn off, aud whis-
key-suckers, and lager beer gulphers,
and SO forth, let me entreat you in all
kindness, to turn from the evil Of your
ways and learn to be temperate and
wise, for the time of general squar-
ing of accounts will surely come, and
you will have to repent of your pres
ent misdeeds in old sacks full Of ashes.
And oh, ye troglodytes, ye subterrane-
an hobgoblns of the night, ye who at
late hours crawl out of the windows