ENCOURAGE THE YOUNG. 343 



and by fostering their anxiety to rival the care and productions 

 of others, we shall enlarge their powers of reflection and 

 observation. 



" 'Tis education forms the common mind, 

 Just as the twig is bent, the tree's inclined." 



" What things," said one, " do you think it most proper for 

 boys to learn ? " 



" Those," it was replied, " which you wish them to practice, 

 when they become men." " Train up a child in the way he 

 should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it." 



Parents are not sufficiently aware how immense is the benefit 

 which would result, in every way, from this encouragement of 

 industrious habits in their children. Industry is, in fact, the 

 great preventive of poverty and crime. Were it universally 

 inculcated and fostered in youth, there would be much less 

 need of doctors and lawyers, and, as we think, of ministers. 

 Let children be intrusted with something which requires 

 special attention and care at a given time. This would help to 

 fix in them habits of reflection and order. I well remember 

 my anxiety, when a small boy, to have something which I might 

 call my own ; something in respect to which no interference of 

 others should interrupt or alter my plans. I remember that, 

 when I was about nine years old, I gave my brother a half 

 dollar to be allowed to call all the chickens my own, and have 

 exclusive control and care of them. Then there was no divided 

 interest, and their wants received increased attention. I also 

 remember that my father gave me a small piece of land to culti- 

 vate, the crop from which was to be my own. Weeds were not 

 to be found on that piece of land, and the potatoes which I raised 

 were so large that twenty-six filled a half bushel measure. The 

 end of a hog's trough reached through the fence, and, as it 

 leaked, I was not slow to perceive the effect of a rich irrigation 

 of my land. When I was twelve years old, I came into posses- 

 sion of a pair of calves. I allowed them to run with a cow 

 until they were a year old, — feeding them, also, with potatoes 

 which I had raised, — and their growth was really wonderful. 

 Before they were two years old, I sold them for $42, to a man 

 who was seeking to buy the best he could procure. This left 

 me $7 after paying all expenses. Common, good oxen, were 

 at that time worth $65 per pair. 



