APPENDIX. INDUSTRY THE ROAD TO SUCCESS. Prize Essay, 1849. INDUSTRY, like most of man's commendable traits, is almost, if not entirely, acquired. Upon a strict examination of his character, it will be found that he is made up of acquirements to a very great extent. However, his Creator has been very benevolent in furnishing him with a vigorous constitution and an active intellect. A constitution which, if prudently used, is proof against the severest assaults, and a mind which can not be easily circumscribed. What is the inference to be drawn from these two facts? The most reasonable conclusion that can be arrived at is, that they were formed for habits of industry. Those welldeveloped muscles, those limbs so wisely arranged, and that mercurial mind fully warrant the above assertion. It would be placing a stigma upon the character of man's great Architect, to suppose that He made a work so noble to remain in a state of inactivity. It was given for high and noble purposes, and its exercise is indispensable to the accomplishment of those purposes. If we would succeed in any enterprise, however small or important it may be, industry will mold our characters so far as success extends, and that will be proportionate with our exertions. There is an illimitable space where the mind may range without molestation, and an extensive field of action for the physical system to display its powers. The exercise of the body and mind is the source from which all have derived their greatness and renown. As industry is necessary to insure success, so its opposite will inevitably blast the brightest expectations of man. Indolence renders an individual a mere cipher in this world of activity and ex citement. As that cipher placed to the left of a decimal diminishes its value, so the example of an indolent world detracts much from the nobility of labor. Such an example has its weight upon that propensity, which is so natural to all to pass the time in ease. This disposition seems to be generally inherent in mankind, where it has not been overcome by habits of industry. Exceptions there may be, but the probability is that they are quite rare. In more modern times the opinion has gained some celebrity, that it is dishonorable to labor, especially in the manual sense of that term. It is to be lamented that this opinion is gaining strength from a source from which it. should be least expected. There are two ways in particular in which this opinion is encouraged. In the first place, we encourage it too much by our personal example. How many hours are suffered to pass away without either manual or mental employment! Many have wasted time which, if it had been properly applied, would have placed them in an enviable condition so far as it regards pecuniary advantages, and in a still more enviable position as it regards the endowments of knowledge. The time idled away by hundreds and thousands, had they the control of it again, would be sufficient to insure them at least a respectable knowledge of the Latin, Greek, and Hebrew languages. In the second place, we encourage this opinion by our silence, thereby tacitly acknowledging that it is not honorable to labor with the hand. It would appear from this silence that far the greater part labor, because necessity demands it at their hands, and not from any honor they consider connected with or belonging to labor. It is infinitely more dishonorable to promulgate such an opinion in any way whatever, than it is to earn our bread by the sweat of our brow. Who are to blame for the prevalence of this opinion? The fathers and mothers of our land are more culpable than any other class of persons for this state of things. Individuals brought up to habits of industry are not apt to forget that training when they arrive at years of maturity. Such is the force of habit, that they are never contented when What unemployed. A life of activity scarcely ever fails to afford a life of contentment. Activity is the proper theater of the mind, and when the body and mind are actively engaged the latter feels at home. As it is necessary that the mind should have some relaxation from toil, this can be done with pleasure and profit by the exercise of the body. There are, it is true, some active occupations in which it is impossible for men to be happy, because they are directly at war with their consciences. The pursuits which claim man's attention are so numerous and praiseworthy, that there is no reason why he should forsake an honorable for a dishonorable one, or choose a debasing one, when there are so many that are laudable. think you would be the progress of the social condition, were the principle of universal industry adopted and carried out? Such expressions as "loafers' corner" and "doggeries," with many others, would become obsolete terms for want of occasions to use them. All places of useless amusement, and other means of killing time as they are called, would be abandoned, and, instead of murdering time, men would have inducements to use all their energies to redeem it. Many vices which are a curse to the human family would be blotted out of existence; such as drunkenness, gambling of every species, theft, murder, and all the evils which follow in their train. There would not be laid so many heavy taxes upon our States and counties for building receptacles for the confinement of culprits, as their number would be so greatly diminished. This fact has been fully exemplified by the Puritans of New England. It is said by their best historian that such things as locks and keys and prisons among them as a people were not needed. This happy state of things was owing, in a great degree, to their very strict habits of industry. It is an established fact that all the cases of theft and murder are generally attributed (and correctly too) to that class of individuals denominated loafers, and not to the industrious classes of community. Some there are, however, who argue that we live in an age of high attainments and refinements. Therefore we should not model after the customs of those who have lived in the darker periods of the world. In some respects this principle may be allowable, but by no means should it be an established rule. High and ennobling objects should be imitated and respected wherever they may be found. Happy would it be for many of our day did they but imitate the example of the Pilgrim Fathers in this respect; that is, their love of industry. Some are ready to say that it would bring society upon an equality. This it would most undoubtedly do, and it is the very best reason that could be offered why it should be imitated. Is not one individual as good as another just so far as his or her conduct comports with the principles of good breeding and honesty? Aside from strict piety, he or she certainly is. The example of Peter the Great of Russia is worthy the imitation of all, whatever their position may be in the world. He did not think it beneath his dignity to lay aside the purple, and come down from the throne to become a ship carpenter, thereby showing that it is no ignoble thing to labor. He was not ashamed to be seen mingling with the yeomanry and tradesmen of his own and the governments of other potentates of the land. His influence, nevertheless, was felt among the high and the low, by the intellectual as well as by the illiterate. He had a proper view of what society should be, and employed the requisite means for the accomplishment of that object, by first setting the example. The adaptedness of industry to success in all the avocations of life is very evident, and has been fully demonstrated by the experience of all who have made any display on the great theater of life. It is as necessary to insure success, as is the light to the healthy growth of vegetation. When the labor of the mind and body ceases, then will all human greatness have an end. Individuals may sometimes be left in prosperous circumstances by the labors of others, yet what will all this profit them without a prudent use of them? Nothing, unless it be their ruination. So it is in a literary point of view we have the labors of the great minds of the past; but in order that |