1890.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 4. 311 



as exceptional, rather than the rule. We generally think 

 our own occupation less desirable than some other ; we have 

 found the objections that lie against it, and have too lightly 

 esteemed or entirely overlooked the advantages peculiar to 

 it ; while we have seen all the apparent good points in our 

 neighbor's calling, and wholly failed to note the objections 

 to which it may be and doubtless is Hable. And so, often, we 

 do not foster, if we do not actually discourage, any inclina- 

 tion or desire of our sons to follow the occupation which has 

 proved so iiksome, although perhaps reasonably successful, 

 to their fathers. 



In choosing an occupation, perhaps the first question that 

 will arise in most minds is. Which will be most likely to 

 yield the best financial results? This is manifestly a point 

 of prime importance ; but there are risks of competition and 

 speculation to be encountered in some occupations, to which 

 others are not liable to the same extent. You are traveling 

 towards a certain place ; you arrive at a point where the 

 road divides ; one route is shorter and less rugged than the 

 other, but crosses a river by a bridge which is defective and 

 believed to be unsafe, while the other road is fiee from that 

 danger. It is manifestly the part of prudence to take the 

 safe thou oh lons-er road. In Wall Street fortunes are some- 

 times made in a single day, it is said. But is it not equally 

 true that they are often lost in as short a time ? The wise 

 man said, " He th;it hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and 

 considereth not that he shall come to poverty." 



Other questions of importance will come up, as. Is the 

 occupation proposed one that will conduce to health and good 

 morals ? Will it open the way to honorable distinction and 

 preferment? These must be answered carefully, in the light 

 of the good judgment and experience of others, of whom the 

 young man seeking a vocation should take counsel. But just 

 here is the point whei'e many young persons make a serious 

 mistake. Youth is full of hope and anticipation ; every- 

 thing in prospect is of rosy hue, and invested wit'"> all 

 the enchantments of joyous expectation. In her " bright 

 lexicon there is no such word as fail." The healthful 

 youth is full of life and energy, seeing only the bright 

 side of the future, and reaching forward with eager ha.^te 



