The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1866-08-31

another thing There is much philosophy
also in Byron's remark, 'that man must serve
his time to every trade save censure," to which
men feel a natural adaptation; or as the poet
expresses it, "crtics all arc ready made"
Using the term genius for that gift which
qualities man for particular employment,
and which, from long practice, becomes his
speciality the maxim, "ne suior ultra crepi,lam,'
seen to contain true philosophy. 1t applies
to all in all the fields of science and literature,
as well as to tile various mechanical arts
And in each pursuit, no matter whether one
of science, literature Or art, by adhering to
this trite maxim an approach to perfection
may be attained, which it is hardly possible
to reach by frittering away our power in
abortive attempts to essay Universally. BY
our failures we are sure to disclose our weak
ness, or adaptation to the work in hand which
is au essential prerequisite in the successful
treatment of subject.
/ 1t il true, it looks like small matter in
this big, varied, and generally attractive
world of ours, to see man devotng his life
to the study of bugs, for instance, when, as
we think, he might be employing his powers
in varied fields, far more attractive and agree
able; but, we lose sight of the fact that the
man has genius, bent, for bugs; and, by
expanding that genius Or power upon bugs,
he achieves more for mankind and at the
same time derives more qualification from the
special pursuit, than if he were to disregard
his natural proclivity and expend his capacity
in devoting it to general pursuits, whether in
science, literature, Or art, where his talents
would be misdirectcd where he would achieve
little OF nothing for mankind for want of
concent ration, and in which he would realize
com paratively small portion of the pleasure
he would enjoy from rigidly adhering to his
peculiar forte. Depend uponit good friends,
there is much philosophy in the aphorism-
stick to your last For, if you undertake
to handle subjects which require study, pre-
vioLs cultivation and preparation, as well as
idihliiafuy Win iLt appiopiht0 toofo cSoCh-
tial to their proper management or skiilfnl
treatment, you may confidently rely upon a
failure, and will find yourself in the position
of the cobbler who ,klessy essayed to wan
der off into the hazardous and unrealized, in
stead Of like prudent man, sticking to his
last"
1t is by adherence to our forte that we are
almost sure to be successful. From this prin
ciple, which we have been endeavoring to elu-
cidate, no doubt sprang the admirable system
of division of labor, in which each man be-
comes more proficient and expert, by con-
fining and ey ercsing his power within the
limits Of speciality, instead OF expanding it
in the pursuit of generalities, where his sue
cess and skill would necessarily fail to acquire
that degree of perfection only attainabe by
adhering to his forte.
1t is by disregard Of our text that many
| of us find ourselves encountered with much
serving" and like the imam who got the ele-
phant," we regret, we did not stick to our
last And coming from general reflections to
particular application, We beg onr mer-
chants to stick to the live advertising system
we have so long advocated; and which We are
| happy to know already promises to result in
substantial good to our community.