Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-12-09
Our Social Circle.
Choice Of a Business.

Labor is the lot of man in this world.
1t may be toll Of the body, or toll #
the mind, or combination of both
but in one form or another, man must
live by exertion and industry. The num-
Der is small of those who are born to
property, or who inherit wealth sufficient to
raise them above the necessity of working
for their livelihood. This necessity is the
greater in country like Great Britain,
where the population is dense, and where
every field of labor is the scene of constant
and busy competition. 1t is, therefore, Il
subject of important consideration, in what
direction the energies of youth may be
turned to the best profit and advantage. The
difficulties attending this inquiry are univer-
sally felt, and the choice of blu iness or
profession is at this period theme of
anxious consultation in many family. The
following remarks are offered in the hope
that they may assist the deliberations both
of young men and of parents in this i'm
p0rtant matter.
A young mans calling or occupation in
life is determined by great variety of cir
cumstances. Sometimes there is very little
room for choice. For example, son may
succeed to business made by the industry
or skill of a father or the assistance of rel
atives or the patronage of friends may direct
to a particular path in life But we are
supposing a youth without any of these
special advantages, having his own way to
make in the world, and with nothing but
his own talents, strength and industry to
depend on. In this case there are many
things to be taken into account, There is
the bodily health and constitution there is
the mental capacity and education there is
natural inclination a:d acquired taste, and
other qualifications of personal kind. Il
Isl fatal mistake when a youth, either by
his own choice, Or by the advice Two shall
not say compulsion) of guardians or parents
enters into an occupation for which he is by
nature or by circumstances untitled. Ye
this is "a mistake constantly occurring, anc
attended with miserable consequences
Strength, health, constitution of mind a
well as of body, inclination, taste, socia
position, and moral influences, ought all
more Or less, to he taken into account il
determining the choice.
Besides these personal elements in the in
quiry, there must be consideration of exter
nal circumstances depending on the partic
ular state Of societyin certain places or times
One branch of manual industry, or one lin
OF intellectual labor, may be subject to com
petition so excessive, that it would be un
wise to enter upon the struggle except wit
qualifications certain to command success
however much the inclination might be bi
assed in that direction In other depart
ments, capital may be necessary, or patron
age or an introduction not dependent o
personal merit or exertion,
In different parts Of the country tn
the chances Of obtaining employment vary
and there are some callings that can be cal
ried on best in certain localities, while otl
ers are in demand in every district. Thos
who are willing to emigats to foreign land
or to the colonies, may trust to qualification
different from what others may possess VIII
are resolved to remain at home. All thes
points we merely hint at in this place, to sho
how much need there is for careful an
judicious deliberation before choice is made
Previous to entering into details, we have