The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1857-03-18
rIIE pn,LosoPmY OF BUSINESS.

In every art and calling tnefe Is Part'cu-
! lar technical knowledge which Is necessary
10 its successful prosecution. II Is proficiency
in this technical knowledge or experience III
his trade which makes the useful artisan,
journeyman, apprentice, or any workman
subordinately employed in any profession or
business. BY the subdivision Of labor which
obtains in all large establishments, the knowl-
edge we allude 10 has often very limited
range compared with that OF the general
business. Often ii is confined only TO the
production of particular thing, as, for in.
stance, a man in fotmer times, before ma.
chuery was invented 10 perform the whole
process of making pins, was kept all his days
putting heads 10 the pins, and another 10
filing points to them. In the printers pro-
iession, compositor will set type all his
life; in the bookbiudery one man will cut
the covers, another glue them TO the backs
oil the books. III making shoes. one work.
man will do all The sewing aud stitching,
and another the finishing; aud so it is thro'
every business, that which a man can best
do, his own and his employers interest are
likely 10 keep him doing all his lifa. In
very few business establishments do all the
workman, or persons employed, go regularly
up through the various grades OF the profess
sion, leaning each step thoroughly as he
proceeds, and coming out, when his appren.
ticeship or service ends, with that thorough
knowledge OF The details of his art which is
essential 10 corect knowledge of the bus,
mess OF profession he is to pursue for his
future support,
Independently of this technical knowledge
of the details oil business profession, there
are general principles governing business
W hich must also be learned to enable enter.
prise 10 direct its energies the most efficiently
10 the ends sought, and to enable n man 10
successfully compete in the eager race for
fortune. This knowledge consists not only
in knowing how TO make a particular article,
but how to dispose of II advantageouslv,
where to seek The customers needing it, how
TO enlarge the circle Of custom so as TO mui-
,iply the profits OF sale, what maxms in
trade are founded upon true philosophy-a
sure insight INTO the nature, wants, actions
au1 disposition of men, what economies are
required, what activities to be put IN opera
lion, and wha, aid may be sought in the ca
pabilities of other professions 10 push ones
own the most successfully A man who
combines these two kinds of Knowledge may
be said to be master of his profession, what.
ever that may be, aud without them, however
faithful is his employed service, he is still ia-
ble 10 mistakes, which may affect his enter.
prise disasitously, for want OF soutd judg.
men, which comes from accurate knowledge
concerning each particular brarch and re.
quiremenl Of his bIsness,
Acquired fortunes are not, as many sup.
pose, the result of lucky chance. They
are more often The result of honest .oil, in
teliscu, application of thought 10 business,
diligent study of its wants and its means oil
adveEcemeut, uutiring industry and close
attention In Iac' II is tho hos, applied iabo,
Of hands and head which gives success in
business, as il does in any human undertak.
ing. 1t is an object of first importance. there.
fore, 10 gain this cesi,atle knowledge. The
practical details are 10 be learned best in the
every day duties, but the philosophy govern.
ing the operations OF business generally, and
making ii science, as il is, may be learned
hy every man having apprehension 10 under.
stand general truths, and the Judgment ,o
apply them. The laws of trade and busi.
ness are as fixed and certain as the laws Of
the universe, ard the principles OF them once
correctly apprehended there is very lIlle
danger of failure in their application.
A course of lectures upon the Philosophy
of Business, by some competent person, would
do more good TO the great body OF ouf citi'
zens than probably upon any other subject
! MIR, V. B. Palmer has made this special
subject of attention for years past. Why
could he not be induced to give the public
the benefit OF his knewledge and experiences
He is fully competent, aud we are satisfied
tha, he could DO much good 10 the community
by uder; aking it, and the Ledger would invite
him, through It's columns, TO do so, either
through a course OF popular public lectures
or otherwise.--Ledeer. ... -..r. +.