The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-03-08
The Sources of PrinceIy Incomes.

MoNEY-GETTING is not, as some suppose,
matter of luck Many believe that to be born
under certain planet is favorable or fatal to
life's prospects; that, like the tides, men are
influenced by the moon, sun, or some one of
the zodiacal signs; and that Fdie, not industry
Providence, not economy-is the great deside
ratum in life's long battle. This false notion
has hung like an insubus upon the necks of
thousands, translating every misstep into a
frown of some imaginary goddess, and pro-
phesying fatal future.
We are aware that money-getting depends
much upon the mental organization. The
world of mind has its geniuses as well as its
simpletons, and it will not be difficult for the
student of character to foretell the fate of
some, owing to the strong development of
head. This one will make his mark as bust
ness man. he will succeed in whatever he un-
takes, and become rich and influential. And
Uice versd of another. But what does all this
mean? Simply that the ability of some to
acquire and retain is greater than others. 1t
does not argue that fortune is the lot
of favorites, OF that the intellectually
weak are necessarily the victims of
poverty. What says experience? Are the
strong in mind all rich Are the poor all
ignoramuses Have not the brightest gems
in the galaxy of literature perished in squalid
poverty2 Is it not the repeated boast of the
sons of wealth that they have fought their way
up from obscurity, and through circumstantial
embarrassment The progress of some may
be attended with greater difficulty than others;
all may not reach the same elevation, or make
the same time; but with industry, tempe
rance, economy, and last, though not least, in
tegrity, all, with few exceptions, may secure
satisfactory independence.
It is a lamentable and discouraging truth,
that the proportion of successes to failures in
mercantile life is but three per cent. Ninety
seren out of every hundred fail from some
cause or another. Why is this There is,
evidently, some great general defect unnoticed
by adventurers upon the uncertain sea of
trade. Freedley says, on the authority of
Hunts Merchants Magazine, 'That but one
eminent merchant, and his death is recent,
has ever continued in active business, in the
citv of New York, to the close of a long life
without undergoing bankruptcy or suspen-
sion of payment in some one OF the financial
crises of the country"
1t is also asserted on good authority, from
records kept during the past forty years, that
of every hundred persons who commence busi-
ness in Boston, n,netyJice de poor.
The statistics of bankruptcy, under the law
of 1s4l, will confirm this lamentable tact;-
Number OF applicants for relief,...." oS SaS9 a3
GIealIors ,,da991 az
'e1z'
Fropertysurr endered."."....,.....'''' 4o'oo''oO'
In some districts but a quarter per cent
was paid, on an average, for each dollar due;
and in some, nothing.
In commencing business we are too apt to
look only upon the bright side of the future
Success is taken for granted, as a sort of fore
ordained necessity, based upon our unexcep-
tionable ability to secure it. We are apt to
look upon failure as the exception instead Of
the rule, and invariably consider such excep
tions as the lot of others. TO suppose thai
the consequential creature self is liable to suct