Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-08-29

pursuit or that, to become prolicients, and
rise TO eminence. More than half the sad
failures so commonly observed are due TO
being forced into the wrong road in early
life. Young men arc forced into pulpils,
when they should be following the pillow;
forced into courts of law, when they should
be driving the plane in a carpenters shop
forced into sick rooms, as physicians, when
they should be guiding n locomotive, or
heading an exploring party in the Rocky
Mountains forced into industrial labor
atories, when they should he in the count
ing-room or shop.
IL is wise provision of Providence that
nearly every boy born into the world has
some peculiar distinctive capability, and
some aptness for particular calling or
pursuit; and if he is driven into channels
contrary 10 his instincts and tastes, he is in
antagonism with nature, and the odds are
against him. One of the earliest and most
anxious inquiries of parents should be di-
rected to The discovery of the leanings of
their children, and If they find that their
boy, who they earnestly desire shall adorn
the bar or the pulpit, is persistenlly en-
gagged in constructing toy ships, and wad-
ing in every puddle of water, to test their
sailing qualities If he reads books of voy-
ages and when in a seaport steals away to
the wharves, to visit ships and talk with
sailors, ii Is certain that he Is born for the
sea. Fit him out with sailors rig, put
him in the best possible position for rising
10 the honorable post of shipmaster, and
you have discharged your duty. If, on
the other hand, he is logical, diseriminat-
ing, keen, fond of argument, let him enter
the law II he is fond of whiting, plan
| ing, saving, constructing, and neglects his
studies, turn him over 10 good carpenter,
to learn the trade. If he begins early to
spend his pennies for sulphur, nitre, oil of
vitriol, aquafortis, etc. If he is such per-
sstent experimenter that you fear he will
kill himself, or set your buildings on fire I;
| If his pockets are full of abominable drugs,
and his clothing so charged with the odor
of stale eggs that you refuse to admit him
to the table at meal times, why, the chances
are that he is "born" chemist, and ii will
be safe to start him off to some technical
school for instruction.
The question is, not what we will make
our boys, but what position are they man
ifestly designed to fill ; in what direction
does nature point, as respects avocations or
pursuits in life which will be in harmony
with their capabilities and instnots2 1t is
no use for us to repine and find fault with
the supposed vulgar tastes of our boys.
We must remember that no industrial call
| ing is vulgar every kind of labor is hon
orable and it is far better to lie distn-
| guished as a first class cobbler or peddler,
| than to live the contemplate life of Il fth-
rate lawyer or clergyman.
There are thousands of boys born into
the world possessing scarcely a trace of
ambition. Such do not care for distinc-
ton, or even for wealth if they can pro-
cure the humblest fare, by constant toll,
| the aspirations of their boyhood, and sub
| sequently of their manhood, are fully met.
| They are negative characters, happy with
nothing, and suffer no citation or depres-
| sion, whether in sunshine or under cloud.
These boys, who often afford much morti-
| lication TO ambitious parents, fill most
| important niche in the world in fact, the
world could not do without them. They
CONSTITUTE the great ARMY Vi ieli WHO oullu
our railroads, tunnel our mountains, load
and unload our ships, cut down our forests,
and manipulate the rcdhot iron masses
| which come from our blast furnaces. Scold
and fret AS we may, we cannot alter the
temperament or proclivities of such boys.
Nature is stronger than we are, and well is
| it for US that it is so. If our boys are born
10 live in subordinate or humble positions,
we can hardly help it we may hold them
in a false position by the power of wealth,
or strong controlling influences, but when
these fail they fall at once TO their place, in
obedience To Il law as irresistible as that
which Newton discovered in the fall of the
| apple.
What shall we do with our boys? Study
to learn what they are capable Of doing for
| themselves aid them, encourage them to
do well whatever work is suited 10 their
natures. Regard every calling as honora-
BILE, the labor Of which is honorably per-
formed, and thus insure happiness and
prosperity to our ofl-sprii- g.-BoSton Jour
nal Of Chemistry.