Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1873-01-15

sun rises In the east, Wnere i've, saio
a popular orator from Boston once. Y es, y
sad bystander from the west, but he
doesn't stay there long?" There are men
who never pronounce their own names
without involuntarily taking off their hats
so profound is their standardization and
all of us have known persons who felt that
if they had been consulted prior to plac.
ing Adam on the old homestead, they would
have added something to human nature
which would have greatly improved it
Complaining people, who are in a state
of moral dissatisfaction with the universe
generally, do not often master the situation
The wrong side of the tapestry of life is
never the most beautiful or encouraging
one!
There are men who fail of mastery in
the world from too low an estimate OF hu
man nature, and there are others who slip
up on the way to eminence from too great
a reference for upper standing. and too lit
tie for understanding. Such men would
if possible, make close corporation of
the air of Heaven. and only sell stock to
people who have an income of not less that
$4,000 year. " Despise nothing, my
son - was the advice wise mother gave
to her boy when he went forth into the
untried world to seek his fortune. and that
boy grew up into Sir Walter Scott.
Ali great leaders have been inspired
with great Belief. In nine cases out of
ten, failure is born of unfaith 1ennyson
sings, Faith and unfaith can ne'er be equal
powers. To be great leader, and so
always master Of the situation, one must
of necessity have been great thinker in
action. An eagle was never yet Matched
from a goose's egg. Dante speaks with
bitter sarcasm of Branch DORA, whom
he placed among the dead, when he says,
" He still eats and sleeps, and puts on
clothes" In case of greater emergency,
it took certain General in our army sew
eraI days to get his personal baggage
ready. Sheridan rode into Winchester
without even change of stockings in his
saddle bags.
When the Lords of the Admiralty, in
a case Of pressing need, asked Sir Charles
Napier, in London, when he would be
ready to start for India, he replied "ln
half an hour, gentlemen, if necessary"
Insight, foresight, and knowledge are
what the world demands in a great leaders
men who have the power to transmute
calamity into greatness. To the real COM
mander, moth ne exists which cannot be
overcome. Monsieur" said Mlraeeau'
secretary to him one day, what you re
qujre is impossible" Impossible p
cried Miarbeau, starting from his chair,
81 never name to me again that blockhead
of word"
Attention is prime requisite where
mastery Of the situation is to be acquired
No one, | suppose, will accuse me OF over
statement if [ call Charles Dickens man
of genius. Genius is a big word. Next
to the supremest names, it is the largest
word in the dictionary. The popular idea
of a man of genius is very vague and often
times very foolish one. He is commonly
supposed to be able at any moment, with
out previous study or preparation of any
kind, to write poem, an grafton, his
tory an essay, or a novel in three VOL
umes, as the case may be. Hear, if you
please, testimony on the other side. Dick
ems SAID
My own invention or imagination,
such as it is, can most truthfully assure
you, would never have served me as it has
but for the habit of commonplace, humble,
patient, daily. toling. drudging attention.
! The ons serviceable, safe, certain remuner-
alive, attainable quality il every study
and in every pursuit is the quality of at
tenton. Genius, vivacity, quickness OF
penetration, brlliancy in association of
ideas, will not always be commended, but
attention, after due term of submissive
service always will. Like certain plants
which the poorest peasant may grow in
the poorest soil, it may be cultivated by
any one, and it is certain in its own good
season to bring forth flower and fruit.
This euloglum on attention, spoken out
of his own abundant experience, is quite
worthy to be hung up in golden letters on
the walls Of every schoo-house and col.
!ege in the land. Dlckens's sense of re-
spoDsbilitY to the public that had given
him their homage was marked peculiar
ity. During his readings in America
although he had the experience Of thir-
teen years in those wonderful perform
ances, he never came before his audience
without fresh preparation of hours over
every piece he was to read. lie studied
lo 70 NTH ha
icty OF a novice.
in one of bis novels which we know te
be the most photographed of all hi:
stories, the author drops this admirable
lesson like a jewel before his reader.
have his distinct authority for saying it
is record of his own perseverance as {
young man. He says, speaking through
the medium of his hero:
have been very fortunate in worldly
matters; many men have worked muct
harder, and not succeeded half so well
but | never could have done what [ have
done without the habit of punctuaIity
order. and diligence without the deter
minaton to concentrate myself on on
object at time, no matter how quick,
its successor should come upon its heels
which | then formed. My meaning simpl
is, that whatever | have tried to do in life
| have tried with all my heart to do well
, that whatever have devoted myself to-
have devoted myself to completely; that
+ IN great aims and in small, have Away
been thoroughly in earnest. [ have neve
- believed it possible that any natural Q
p improved ability can claim immunity from
! the eompanionship of the steady. plair
hard working qualities, and hope to gal
ITS end. There is no such thing as sue
fu filment on this earth. Some happ
+ talent, and some fortunate opportunity
> may form the two sides of the ladder o