The semi-weekly Republican. (St. Francisville, La.) 1872-1872, 1872-04-23
BEGINNING to Live.
This era continues thro,,o|,

selves new courses of action, wlic!
IN turn we Try, and, MS disappoiit
ment casts her sable pail over pus
adventure, VIC turn to somct|in,
novel, and hope, rclishting her mag
lc torch, we summon dropping ener
;sy at her call, and weave the scat
tered threads Of life anew.
This is doubtless a wise appoint
mcnt OF Providence, lest, wcariol b,
the way, we should sink into drea,
despondcncy. Few arc sagaciou.
and fortunate enough, when vc,,
young, to select for themselves tb,
particular sphere in which they arc
qualified, by nature and cxcrtion, tc
excel. Some, however, have been
able to weigh their own capabilities
and decide what pursuit inclination
and taste make necessary for them
with good hope Of Success. These
arc fortunate and invariably reach
the goal at which they aim, provided
energy and perseverance arc brought
to aId their own reasonable conyic-
tons. These are the fortunate few,
who begin life once only, any! affair!
their objects. Happy for them i!
those objects accord with utility and
truth.
But there arc many who scc,ning-
!y never attain to IL right under
standing ut what tl4ci. vocation real
y is, till death closes the scu.c. aud
they lie down, like lnyriaLs of sleii
!c.;o" beings, i'll tie grave, having
iiTcd ia v"sii-or SO, to all appear
a'lce We are forced to say, they seem
to pass away. Perhaps their uses
were, after all, higher than we, il
oHr s.!oHtsll%Atelnes;', cen perceive ;
but OF one thin,,, in thg.;y ctss.. We
are assured, and It this They were
not reel pients Of ten talents, and
isnvW n't low even to 'sso tic li,li-
ted advantage bestowed ly nature.
Modesiy is Individually u virtue OF
AeAvenen..y stamped, but ail virtue,
when carried Is excess, becomes vice,
or almost vice in its couscuronccs
and mod, sly, wien Gegencl%tt;n-v
into what is v,l::sytariy called ,'lecpish-
ness, moves only pity or cn,ltaMpt,
instead Of winning respect OF COM
commanding regard. Iho,se who
vaciIl"te IN Il t,ye,! COARSE ol conluct
may have our respect MS to their i'll
tellectna', but never regarding their
executive power. Iiiey start f;tir,
but, like Jonah's gourl, soon wither
and promise does hot bring fulfill
ment each successful beginning III
lie, prosperous for u season, s1c-
rUnbs to discouragemrl.t, and leaves
the lnan Of lnany aims ut liberty TO
choose a new starting point, aud
a!sain fail in his projects aud schemes,
whatever they may be.
Now, though strenuous advocates
for liSelhcss of purpose in man, We
by no means counsel those who have
chosen unwisely any career in life, to
preserve Ill q cause repentel of, and
proved to be frivolous OF un9cn:al.-
The important point is, whether
truth. justice, and love Of country
agree with any course Of life adopt
ed, and the next vital question which
presents itself, Us we before said, re-
fars to personal prediction and
qualification for such life aim. Those
who begin to live but ouce-thut is,
to fultill a settled purpose in hfo-
pursue such purpose with self-ap-
proyAl, and as life. advances, are
cheerol by the certain light of cx-
poricnce (than which there can be
no safer guide to man). Such men
benefit the world, and add lustre to
their calling, whatever it may be.
LITTLE TnlSGs.-Springs arc little
things, but they are sources OF large
rivers and lakes. a. helm is q little