Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-08-11
THE GAZETTE.
WEDNESDAY MORNING, Auousr II, 1855.
COMMUNICATED.

A DEFINITE PURSUlT-BY J. B. JOHNSON
As no condition, however propitious tor
the enjoyment Of ease. is exempt from hao'll'
70 tn the reverses incidental to life, it be-
hooyes every individual to seek to avoid the
error of commencing his future course
awroug, and thereby to shun the evils which
follow an ill begun life. Every youth, as he
enters the threshold which opens to him the
worlds great arena, should ask hlmsel,
Whet part in the strife Of human affairs AN
to periorDf Ifany, he should resolve to make
it definite in order to pursue 1t with prom
and distinction. If be does not pause 10
ask the above question, his parent or guar
dian should ask II for him; Tor, after father
has given his son a useful education, the
next important consideration that should en-
list his attention, is, the Indispensable neces-
sitv Of giving him the advantages OF de-
finite nursui,. 10 ensure him against future in-
n,;litv and DEPENDENCY. This important duty
il entirely too much overlooked by parents,
and man 10 this busting world, without
some definite and useful occupation bad bet
ter never have been born; for In nine cases
out of ten be does no more than oispiace, ny
the bulk of bis body, q certain amount OF a''
mospbere which will close IN at Ms depart
sre from the scenes of life, without leaving
the slightest impression OF his past exist
epce.
Ii is said that all men live to some pur-
pose. Surely the ostepsible object tor which
some live is but trifing; and We know
that not few appear to have no other pur-
nose than that of the continuance or TIE
mere secse of living, or demand of the
world any other attention than that which Is
necessary to keep them breathing. This Is
an unpleasant truth, but if we accustom our
selves TO contemplate our fellow creatures as
thew really are, We fnd that the assertion is
not exaggerated, DOR the estimate too un-
generous. The fate Of the many human
nuissnces we meet lettering on the wayside
of life, ia in more instances, than otherwise,
directly traceeble to the neglect OF their pa
rents, 10 not giving their mental and physi-
cal mowers that attention which is requisite
TO the development OF worth aud usefulness.
Itmay be rem srked that the different ave-
cations are overstocked. To what extent the
objection is true, can be ascertained by re-
cnrrence to the fact that they are not over
filled by mem bers who are 10 every respect
qualified to discharge their particular call
ings, but by pretenders tho are IN almost
every essential incapaci,ated to meet the de-
mands OF their occupations. Hence, the te"
succeed, while the many totally fail, or at
tain 90 higher position than that OF mere
nediocrity; for We know, that scarcely one
in five, of the clerical. medical or legal pro-
fession arises to anything like respectable
distinction.
The cause of there being comparatively SO
few distinguished men, arises not so much
from a want of mental capacity, as from
mistake in the choice Of pursuit. How
many inefficient clergymen, blupderiog law
yers, aud pretending doctors do We see, who
would have been Of Infinitely more use 1t
they bad turned their attention TO mechan-
ism, agriculture, or navigation; and bow
many are engaged 10 mechanical, asricutu-
raj and nautical pursuits, who would, per-
bape, have graced the pulpit, the forum or
che hospital. Il Is thus coon, thst parents
should be DESTROYS, not only of giving their
sons a definite pursuit, but should be partic-
ular iu asoertaining their mental inclination
and contribute as far as they can to the de-
velopment or encouragement of that incli-
nation BY well-adapted avoca;ion.
Norhipg is a greater disadvantage to
youth, or more Inequalities him to combat
the beartlessuess Of the world, than to start
him on bis career without some given trade
or profession. A mariner who undertakes q
voyage on an unknown aud trackless ocean,
without compass, is not more likely to be
wrecked, than is the young man who gees
into the business world to buffet its selfish
ness, without knowing intimately some one
of the intricate branches Of the great mach-
merry which gives it life and motion. The
very effort which it is necessary for the youth
to make, uuder such circumstances, too often
results in disappointment, and finally degen-
crates into indifference and terminates In
idleuess nnd ruin: or causes him to loiier on
the path IF life, not Knowing where to be-
gin, or what to take hold Of first With a
variety of occupations presented to bis op-
ton. be is one day engaged at one thing,
and the next his temporary employment is
suspended, until sOme thing accidentally
presents itself for his acceptance, and with
out beipg permanently established, bis eu-
gagement is again regained and again lost.
In tins way bis pursuits CONSTANT alternate,
and cause every effort which he makes to he
of no avail to himself or to society. Unset
ted in his plans and engaging most likely in
things of which be does not approve, be can
not progress steadily towards pecuniary il
dependence, or be enab led to say; Now
have begun course which will rebound to
my welfare, and answer those demands which
will be made upon my efOr,s by the world.
If an individual wishes to be useful, be must
pursue such a business as will be most sui,a-
BILE to his natural and acquired abilities; and
fix such aims as are adequate to the accom-
plisbment Of definite end. Then he can
realize the effects of bis industry, and pre-
pare himself for the enjoyment of that COIN
fort which arises from an underwriting sppli-
cation of bis powers to we'll selected pur-
suit.
A little common sense will enable US to
sieze those opportunities which sre constant
~ presented to make ourselves not only in-
dependent, but useful to others; bu. it our
time is ill-spent, without making some pre-
gress daily, 10 one or more Of the various
branches Of human industry, We certainly live
to very little use, and the world will be no
better of at our departure THAI it was at our
advent. BY listening to the timely warning
of those who have preceded Us in the pursuit
IL &