Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-12-09

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to every case From inattention to the
points to which we are now going to refer,
much injury through life is sustained.
The choice should not be made too early.
Both in town and county the hard require
ments of poverty compel many youths oil
tender years to begin betimes to earn their
daily bread We have no hing to say where
the necessity of this exists, and boy OIL
right feeling will gladly submit to TOLL or
give up prospects that he might have after
better schooling, if, by his early exertions,
he can make the burden lighter for his pa
rents, and bring his share to the family re-
sources. In some trades, it is also reeessa-
for the apprenticeship to begin early. But
where there is no compulsion to remove a
youth from home and from school, it is both
unwise and unfair to hurry him into the bus
mess Of life. IF boy is idle, or mischiev-
GUS, or likely TO be spoiled by an indulgent
mother, or led into evil by bad companions,
the ease becomes different the sooner he is
set to work the better We are supposing
now, however, boy of average abilities
and disposition, with will as well as op-
portunities of Improvement both bodily
and mental. 1t is short-sighted policy to
thrust such boy prematurely into the world
to begin to do for himself. The health may
be ir.ecoverably injured by labor beyond the
strength in the years of early growth. If
there is no risk on that score there is the ar
rest laid on education at the very time when
the mind is most capable of pro6ting by in
struction received. A good schooling is oft
en- fortune in itself, and will increase the
chances of success in any walk of life. Pa
rents or guardians ought never to grudge
The time given to general education, although
the time may be thereby delayed for the
special training required for business or
profession. 1t is true that where the love Of
knowledge exists, it will be cultivated under
any circumstances. The great African ex-
plorer DR.. Livingstone, has lately told how
he used to read books, laid on the frame Of
the loom at which he worked and history
abounls in examples of the pursuit Of knowl-
edge under difficulties. But where parents
can, by thoughtfulness and even by self
denial, extend the education of their chill.
dren, it is their wisdom as well rs their duty
to do So Money and time devoted to this
are well laid out The greatest men have
looked back with regret to the years OF youth
as the season for acquiring knowledge. Sir
Walter Scott himself said he would give hall
his fame for learning which he might hive ac'
quired at school. Apart from the specia
qualifications, which give success in certain
callings, every one understands the worth O
a sensible, well-informed man, and the pos
session Of this character very much depends
on the general education previous to entering
on particular business or profession. De
ly is here often not lost, but wel-spent time
Another point VIC present for the consid
Grafton of parents previous to the choice be
ing made. What is the object chilly in view
If it were merely how to get livcli
hood, the question would be much simpli
fed. There are parents perfectly indiferen
to the mode in which their children are
make their way in the world, by fair mean
or foul, honorable or dshonorablo. To sue
we are not addressing ourselves In Lawful
and honest pursuits there are still many me
tives, more or less reputable, by which
choice may be influenced, The two mos
general considerations, superadded to tn
: expectation of gaining livelihood are tn
acquisition of wealth and soca distinction
Both of these are legitimate objects, an
- honorable when f,irly pursued, and not cal
rcd to excess. We have now to view the
only as exerting an influence on the choiC
T. of calling. When we hear speak of wealt
i and social Distinction or rank the terms al
:, only comparative in their use, and we ref
~ to motives at work in every grade of the soci
: system. What one would count poverty, a
~ other would regard as opulencc and a st
~ ton which some look down upon with co
! tempt is the object of envy and ambition
~ others. The struggle, the rivalries, I'll
- jealousies, and all the passions and follies
q well as the advantages accompanying col
~ parative wealth and rank, are quite as co
" spicuous in the humber as in the high
~ classes. A real nobleman by birth and fee
70 ing would be infinitely amused if he cou
'e see the shades Of precedence and grades
T. responsibility amongst people that appear
- -, him all on one common level.