The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1871-05-13
Mtsrellanp.


importance Oh ASuslheSS Habits.
What would not rather DO than read con-
tract, tumble over u company OF old musty
writings, "A slave 10 my own business; or. what
is worse, to those OF another man, as SO many do,
nowadays, TO get money. could never prevail
with myself either TO read over my deeds or ex-
anime my principal affairs. which ought of neces-
sity to pass through my knowledge and inspec-
ton. / had rather be told, at two months end,
that have spent four hundred crowns, than to
have my ears battered every night with three,
five, seven The aversion for business details
which Montague thus expressed, is entertained
BY very many who have not formed business
habits in youth. Rather than "bother their
heads with accounts" they will incur the risk of
financial losses They dislike the sight of figures,
and serenely grow oblivious to all rules of arith.
metic acquired in boyhood. And yet no ndivid-
ual yields to this rspugnance without doing
injustice to himself and those in any way de-
pendent upon him, and ultimately being COM
PEELED, along with Montaigne, TO bitterly mourn
''such inexcusable childish la1iness and negli-
gence." Those whose lives not devoted to
money-naking, eau least afford to neglect the
care of what money does come into their posses.
sion. The very fact that their resources are
small should act an additional incentive for
carefully outstanding them. But instead Of this
being the case 1t squlte too common for those
engaged in professional pursuits 20 disdain, or
assume to dlsdan, money getting or saving, hold.
ing that they are inconsistent with genius or the
attainment OF professional emiuenee "The
wisdom" wrote Bacon, touching negotiation or
business, hath not been hitherto collected into
writing, 10 the deroyation Of learning and the
profession Of learning How often do we find
minister who boast. that he leaves everything OF
pecuniary nature 10 his wife to attend to, or
physician who declares, with perhaps feigned
indifference, that he never looks after bad debts
Ten to one If such persons do not always have to
maintain struggle with poverty. Lamartpe
in middle life, frequently gave expression 70 a
contempt for arithmetic, and in declining year.
his hat was kept in con.t.n, circulation. Huzlitt
pictured a business man az grOvelng individual
requiring mo ideas but those of custom and in
terest.' But had ne looked upon business habits
and prudence in a different light lie might have
spent the eyeEtlde OF his life in quiet and repose
instead OF having 70 keep his pen INCREASINGLY at
work Tor bread.money This disregard Of money
matters explains, more than anything else, why
It j. Ia, 50 many who live by brain.work never
achieve pecuni,ry independence, No matter
how much they mig ut earn, their pockets would
always De sieves.
Instead OF checking professional or intellectual
advancement and pre'erment, business training
and experience directly promote them Napoleon
the Great, Wellington, I-aac Newton. Spenser,
Ricardo, Wordsworth, Scott, DR.. johnson and
Fox, afford striking illustrations II how much
individuals, though not pursuing individual
pursuits, are greatly benefited by business
habits. 1t is written Of Wellington, that his
magnificent business qualities were everywhere
felt. BY the care with which he provided for
every contingency, and the persoual attention
which he gave to every detail he lali the found.
alton Of his own success" When men or na.
i
down, it will almost invariably be found tina,
neglect ot little things Vas til. rock on which
they split"
Nearly all young men leave college ignorAn.
OF the most ordinary details OF busi.es. al 4
thousands OF alumni, ,ca,iared through the
country, to-day keenly reSre. that some If
the time given TO the study OF classics WAS not
spent in obtaining "knowledse of the practical
matters of life" Most Of our universities Of
learning are now making feature OF physical
culture. They should 90 Il step further, aud
max" the formation o! business habits Al Iupor-
tant part OF the curriculum al the same time de-
prrcating the feeling OF contempt for such habit,
and training which nov prevails - largely
among colIesans. /. will generally be found
thai the aluinni who have made their mark in
the world, were compelled by poverty 70 coutrive
and plan how TO make both ends meet. when
pursuing their college course, thus obtaining the
experience and training outside Of the course
which should be comprised in 1t, for the benefit
Of all, rich and poor alike.
Whatever vocatious parents may intend their
children TO pursue, they should very early i'm.
press upon them the importance of acquiring
business habits. 1t is good plan TO provide
them with miniature memorandum books ind
teach them to keep daily record of their tiuan.
ces. giving them penny for this and that thing
now ana then deducting from their iucsts for
oftsnses committed, and requiring them to daily
balance their accounts Nothing, we are satii.
fled from personal observation, i. so calculated
to sharpen the wits OF Juveniles, toimpress them
with the Importance of economy and foresight
as early training of this character-IKea and
Home.