The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1897-08-26
IDLENEss.

1t is somewhat singular that
amongst nation so hard-working
as the English, idleness and gentil-
ity should he popularity synonymous
THE butcher, the baker, the candle
stick. maker, and other tradesmen
as we'll as the upper ranks of bust
ness men. generally look forward t.
the day--the happy day as they fond
" dream--when they shall hay'
made enough money to retire from
work and can enjoy their otium Gun
dignitate. There is something nat /,
ural about this. They are then self
pensioned They have earned tn
right of repose. They have Tough
the battle of life and come off vic
torious in a pecuniary sens
Whether they can cast aside thei
old habits with ease and find employ
ment in new ones, is for their owl
consideration only. Anyhow. they |
are entitled to make the experiment.
And were the matter to rest here. |
little or no mischief would ensue.
Unfortunately, however, the sue
cess of the parents usually begets n
particular ambition in the minds o
the children. The daughters desire
to be ladies', the sons to be gentle
men This, of course, would be
praise worthy if connected with USE
full career. When, however, as Is
too often the case, it means simply
to live an idle life, squatting lazily
upon the hardearned fortunes OF
their fathers, it becomes a calamity
for all concerned. But when it also
leads them to be ashamed of their
origin, and of the honest methods
by which their affluence has been
secured, it is little short of depravity
--mean. despicable, repulsive.
Such false views of life AMI of what
is becoming, must needs lead to dis
aster. Because, to make up for
want of birth or breeding, they
launch out into vulgar extravaganza,
endeavoring to dazzle where they
cannot convince. Yachts, races
and hounds, expensive establish
ments, gambling and voluptuous
living, are few of the means by
which the carefully gathered wealth
of successful merchants or profes-
sional men is dissipated by their
heirs. Very few OF these care to
walk in the steps of their fathers, or
to engage in the occupations which
made them rich. And probably the
first lessons in wild expenditure on
the part of these prodigal sons were
learnt at our Universities, where,
for a long period, generations of
vain or weak-minded youth have
been hopelessly corrupted.
It is sad to reflect how often the
methods by which successful
man endeavors to advance the po-
sition of his children become the
means of their ruin. He reflects, it
may be, on his own scanty educa-
ton or other disadvantages in early
life, and determines that his sons
shall fare better. They shall go to
some great Public Shool, or to Ok.
ford or Cambridge. They shall
learn all that may be learnt in these
homes of the Moses. They shall
mix with gentlemen and noblemen,
make superior acquaintances, and
catch their Tone And, that they
may not be prejudiced by his status,
he supplies them most literally with
pocket-money, and encourages then
to shine in the display of wealth
After long course, during which
parental hopes have been excited
they often return to the old roo
with only thin veneer of scholastic
requirements, but deeply engrain
ed with all the vices which, it is wei
known, these seminaries are able t
teach. Their ostentation Will
there was secretly ridiculed by thei
companions; their morals are ruined
and they come back with appetite
whetted for profigacy, despisin
business, averse to usual occupations
and impatient of their family an
home surroundings.
In those cases, however, whei
these evils have been minimised {
even avoided, where they have rea
ly studied and their habits and col
duct have been fairly decent, the
are still as averse as the former
the occupations of their parents, an
are occasionally promoted to ende
vor to distinguish themselves in fas
ionable society. This is often We
difficult. Nevertheless, youth, none
and perseverance, can accompli
much in time. And if they succee
what is the result? A more rep
table mode of squandering than th
of others, but life ofgreater usele'
ness. And the mistakes of bo
classes arise through the fault of t
parents.
For all true education beings {
home. Correct habits and though
must not only originate there, b.
nuot tbara ha m ,,ickeued into acti