The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1885-09-03
A Statesman's Letter to His Son.

A Statesman's Letter to His Son.
Edward Pierrepont, the young man
who was acting as United States Minister
to Italy from March 4th until his death
early in. April, was the son of Hon.
Edward Pierrepont, once our Minister to
England, and a member of President
Grants cabinet. The young minister
was about twenty-five years of age, rare
scholar and complete gentleman. His
death was caused by Roman fever, which
was, it is believed, brought on through
too close application to the duties Of his
Office. His early death was great blow
to his father, who took much pride in
conducting his boys education. While
student in Oxford University he received
many a helpful letter from his father,
one of which, written March 8, 1879, has
recently been made public. From this
letter we make the following liberal ex.
tracts:
MY DEAR SoN:-I would gladly save
you from much annoyance and from
many sorrows, by giving you the benefit
of my own experience. l also know how
prone boys are to think that the times
have changed since their fathers were;
young, and that the true rules for the
conduct of life have ceased to be the
same. My son, as you grow older you
will find that from the time of Solomon
to this hour human nature has not
changed at all, aud that the guide to a
prosperous and happy life is precisely
the same as it was when that, wise man
wrote. .v.i .I..1f,,e
First-There is a great first cause
whichE rules the world something
which we can but dimly comprehend.
because it is too vast for our finite minds.
It is the infinite. 1t is God. tits fruit.
less to try "to find out God" He is ''our
Father in Heavau;" this is all that the
simple child can know; it is all that the
most learned man can ever know. That
this Great Creator is just and merciful,
and rules by equal laws, we have every
reason to believe; and that it is one of
the Creators laws that our lives may be
influenced by earnest prayer for guidance
in the right way, there is nodoubt.
+ Every day ask yonr Heavenly Father
to guide you in nll things in the way
which is right, and you will not go
Ifskeptics wish to talk with you abont
it, don't argue; arguments on these SUBJ
jects never do any good-you might as
well argue that you loved your mother:
Practice. what suggest and you will
know from conscious experience that
whatI tell you is true, and that you will
be made much happier and sereners day
by day, and far more prosperous in,this
world.
Second-Truth, unfaltering integrity,
justice and honor are never to be depart
ed from under any circumstances.
Without strict integrity, justice and
honor no one can have continued success
in anything, or lastiugSTespect from any,
body. { Every one issfound out sooner or
later, and much sooner than he supposes.
Indeed your character is sure to be
known, and sure tobe justly appreciated.
$50 pray you, my son, never trouble
yourself about popularity. Do right, the
best you can; deserve respect, and you
will be certain'to have it.
Success comes not of spasmodic effort,
but of continued every day work.
Read the fable of "the hare and the
tortoise" and profit by its teachings, and
remember that success with honols-is is one
7ofthe highest pleasures;of life Aniidle
.lifeis q worthless'snd unhappy one.
Never goslo. balls and parties azterm
time, and avoid wines and Tate suppers
at all times-they always injure the
health, aud without health life has scarce
aspleasure. -
- From his birth Sau1som-drank neither
wine nor strong drink, and those who are
trained for the ring initiate his example.
During ur.lato war it was conclasiyely
proved that,those who drank water only,
escaped disease and endured fatigue far
beyond others.
| cappot too strongly urge upon you
the necessity Of early retiring to rest.
& Third-That economy is virtue, and
that extrayagance.is a vice, never forget.
You have never seen q man Of forty
regretted his economy; you will see
plenty who mourn their early extrava.
-gatice. Lavish expenditure never wins.
respsct.S 1t may win temporary hatter-
-effs, who depise the fool they flatter.
Pay every debtyoirowe, but
:.:s 2: Neither borrower nor lsndsnbe
eFor:loan Oft loses both itself ffald friend.
!; Let not: your vanity everSYmpt you to
spend money. SfI .
g 1 would deprive, Fon Of no innocent
pleasure; that IS mot pleasure which
iiDiures the. health, jades the mind, and
makes ayonae feel mean and weak and
unequal to the labor which is to fit you
for manly life.~ .yr..r,,,o.
.s.-Duties.well done every. daysand diff
easier continually, and finally become,
lasting enjoy oyments.-::-
-NeYar.play cards for money. 1t is no
pleasure to win fellow. students money,
and il, is pain to lose your own. The
habit is always bad and oftentimes fatal ;
never acquire it.
.s~ Dress like gentleman (; never -be-p pes
culiar or fashy, but dress as becomes you,
not as becomes some one else. Never talk
about your expenses or your money, and
never be ashamed to live with ecouomy; :;
;on the contrary be- proud Of: it, Your
sbusinessfiss 10 acqlire / knowgeage,s aud
you need not be anxious to display
yours, especially to older men; but
always try to learu of them.
Never say to another what it would be
unpleasant to have him say to'you.
Remember that good manners are of
great importance. Manners should be
frank aud easy, with dignity.
Avoid fawning, toadying ways as you
would foul fend. Never fawn to
prince, nor swagger to peasant. Be
courteous and manly everywhere and to
everybody. &
Let your manners be.quiet; nothing is
more underbred than aifurried address,.
with a face wrinkled all over with grin
ming delight.
You cannot have good manners in the
drawing room il, your .habitual manner is
bad the habit will betray you; let; the
habit be always good. a.
Be gentleman feel like gentleman
and You will look like one.
Sometimes you will be neglected, and
your vanity may feel wounded; never
L. II, AL.