The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1882-07-23

young man asks us to decide for him In
a very important matter. He would have us
tell him whether to study profession or
not, promising to abide by our decision,
though it be contrary to the advice Of his
parents.
That is something we cannot do for him;
but his letter, which reads as follows, shows
that he has misunderstood what we have
said to other correspondents regarding the
wisdom and propriety Of their undertaking
TO fit themselves for professions and by an
swering il we can make clear to him and
others our true meaning:
81 am ~ years of nge, have had public school
education. but thanks TO my kind tutor managed to
comprehend the elementary branches thoroughly and
by hard and PERSISTENT work increased knowledge
l am graduated drug clerk. On account OF failing
health caused by cl confinement and through medk
cal advice compelled to give up the profession Of
pharmacist Urged by my parents, and encouraged by
my friends, am inclined to take up the study of med
cine. But reading your adverse writings concerning
young who desire to become lawyers and doctors
hesitate until get the opinion OF who ought
to know better than my parents will abide by your
decision"
We have never advised young men gen.
orally against the study Of law or medicine
Those are the two professions which attract
the majority of college graduates, and very
properly and fortunately. There is never
any danger Of our having too many really
good lawyers and physicians. And young
man who is fitted for one OF the other, who
is enthusiastic in it, who never ceases to be
student of its principles and its practice.
who has intellectual ability and professional
aptitude along with industry and applica-
ton, will never fail OF making his living
l,,,,v ,
when once he hns established himself.
But the course Of professional study is
long, q certain amount Of preliminary edu-
cation is essential, and a doctors or law
| yer's success is not likely to be won until
Edward middle life. II he Is entirely de-
pendent on his labor for support the early
years OF professional man are pretty sure
to be hard. If he is not well fitted naturally
and by study for his work, life Is all up hill,
and very steep hill at that, for him. Only
the selected few are really adapted for physi-
clans and lawyers.
Correspondents who manifestly did not be-
long to that selected few, or who had total
misconception Of tho needs and trials Of pro-
fessional life, have come to us asking whether
it would be advisable for them to study law
or medicine. They had not the requisite pre-
liminary education nor the mental training as
their letters plainly showed But they were
disconnected with the work for which they
were adapted, and wanted to try professional
work, which they thought would be more
agreeable, more lucrative, and lead them up
to far greater honors than they were able to
get in the trades they had already learned.
Such young fellows we advised to stick to
their trades, which offered them a GER
tain living, and in which they had better
chance Of getting ahead than they could have
in a profession for which they had never made
even the first preparation.
Tho case OF the young pharmacist Is differ
ent His studies have borne direct relation
to tho department Of medicine. He may
make very good physician, and probably
his parents are able to support him while he
is learning the profession. To them let him
go for advice; and he will also do well to
bring to his aid some sensible physician who
knows all about him. Before he begins his
medical course, however, it would be wise
for him to improve his English education.
Being German, his many faults in spelling
and grammar are perhaps excusable, but let
him set about remedying them.