Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-07-09
THE GAZETTE.
MORNING, JULY 9, 1858
CHOOSING A PROFESSION.

CHOOSING A PROFESSION.
In this country every oue chnoses bis own
profession. Employmeuts are not hereditary
like the castles 10 India; DOR are they SO gen.
erslly selected by the parents as 10 Europe.
Each man, each youth, chooses for himself.
Men even choose two or three times over. 10
England and in Germany, a lad. at fourteen,
is bound apprentice seven years TO something
seldom that man does not change bis occu-
patton half dozen times in the course OF his
life. Strange to ssy. instead Of being ruined,
such is the demand for labor, that be may lay
by something IN all ii be will.
There is, of course, great loss OF produc-
tive power both to the individual and to the
State in all this. Not so great, uuquestiona,
bly,. on the whole, as the gain " hich arises from
each man throwing himself heart and soul
into something that thoroughly interests
him and excites his freshest vigor and en-
ergies. But all the time that is spent in
learning two or three professions, instead OF
one, is so much of bis time lost forever
And so much as is not spent 10 acquiring q
thorough Knowledge of it is worse than vast
ed, creating every day loss aud an injury
to all around, positively iDcalculable. ln Eu'
rope, and in tue East, a man knows bis OVID
business and nothing else. With US 1t often
happens that he knows everything else but
that.
Yet to put youth to learn some occupation
for which ne has no capacity, or taste, or in-
clination, and to educate him fer it, and moth
ing else, must be highly perncious. while
vet too much facility Of choice in very early
life is almost as bad as none. Let any one
think Of bis own youth, and the superficial
and mistaken views of all professions be first
formed. aud, he will be surprised almost that
any one should have thought of letting his
Judgment decide the matter. If there is a
matter in which parental wisdom should
guide without, forcing and be guided by the
character, but not by the whims of childhood,
it is just this.
We knew Of q lad, once. who met Lord
Broughap, or some other great lawyer, riding
GU, in his carriage, in Hyde Park, attended
by two or three foctmeu in splendid liveries,
when his father, thinking it foe time 70 IT,
still into the mind Of the youth taste for
forensic eloauence and its distinctions, asked
his own son how be would like to be law
yer. The lad innocently replied that he be-
lieyed he would rather follow the occupation
of those gentlemen in the splendid clothes OF
green and gold, than that of the little pug
nosed old man, in plain suit OF black, that
was along with them. Nor was 1t untll 1t
was explained that, on arriving at home those
footmen had to lay aside the fine clothes and
black the shoes or wait at the table, instead
of eating with the company, that be could be
convinced.
A mere boyish desire for the fine hseries
of apy occupation, whether il be the regimen
tails and music Of the soldier. the elevated ros
trum and plsudits of the fourth of July ora
tor, or the pulpit Of the divine, is Just nc
proof Of adaptiveness for any one OF the pur
suits. 1t is boyish courage energy and sell
CONQUEST that should mark out the successful
soldier; strength and grasp Ct intellect, and
commanding power Of persuasive expression
that should indicate toe coming pieader
and fervid piet3. in conjunction "ito all D
these, that should point out the future DIVINE
The love of the drum and OF the epaulet' OF
of the gown and of the casock, has Led many
a coward into the army, and many goose
and idler into the pulpit.
Character is the essence OF destiny, anc
the discovery of its traits lie great founda
ton of the successful choice Of an occupation
But this is BY no means all. Ayouth sbou'o
have a certain respect for his future profes
siop. even more than love for II; success II
it should be the height Of bis ambltion, auc
failure thing to be avoided at any cost o.
trial and energy. Find out what Occupation
your son would consider it the highest at
tsinment to do we'll in, and you have nc
small indication of his best calling. Ii his
taste and Judgment are radically wrong
about this, the fault is most probably 10 those
who ought to have formed it better--lf at al!
right or appropriate, it should be consulted
as far as possible.
But a parents position in life, or the ear
" and necessary occupations OF chiidhoou' 10
a great measure decide the employment with
which lad shall at least begin life. Iha'
which be can do best, and most naturally
and proftably, is generally the best for him
Apy occupation that DOW most fully occupie'
all bis powers and developes his energies vol
UNFAIRLY to the utmost, lie educating him mos
eGsctually for any and every other occupa
ton 10 life.
But 90 far as choice is still lett, eacn sc
lect. not sefshly, that occupation IN which
he can make the most money or fame, pu
that in which be can do the world the mos
good. This elevated and noble feeling OF
Observation-Disclosures will aVaken the nobIes
feelings and lead to the most exalted sue
GEES. This makes the patriot soldier. the clio
ouent orator, and the true diVine.--Pa'ladel
phia Ledger.
TOWARD ASSOCIATION, PHILADEL