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j&rjpwilwiml ATHENS, SATURDAY, MAY 27, 1848. False Views of Lalior. What a strange mistake is made by those, who fancy that to labor with the hands is, in a greater or less degree, degrading,—nor is this mistake a harm less one If it resulted only in subjecting the man who toils with his hands for his daily bread, to the unmerited contempt of those who are exempted by fortune —we will not say whether good or bad —from such toils, it would be scarcely a matter of regret, for the honest laborer might well console himself with the assurance that such contempt is destitute of any sting, and that he is none the less “ a man fora’ that.” But there are consequences of this error far more mischievous than this —not, it is true, to the laborer himself, but to the young men of our country who grow up with false opinions concerning labor, and who would not, for the world, engage in any pursuit ■.which would involve them in manual exertion. It is this mistake which has crowded the various Profes sions—particularly the Law and Medicine—until there are more lawyers in the country than clients, and more doctors than patients—though, it must be admitted, that the young physicians exhibit an un usual quantity of patience in their long endurance of hopeless inactivity! We are decidedly of the opinion that this mistake about labor is a fruitful source of misery and misfor tune. How many a young man of strong constitu tion —athletic form —iron muscles and robust health, has ennuied himself into dyspepsia, or some other terrible complaint, by his idle habits, engendered in the village law-office, or shop of the physician, to which he has resorted for want of something else to do! Raised above the necessity of labor, by the misfortune of wealth—and too proud to descend to it as a healthful recreation, he becomes a briefless bar rister, or a caseless doctor;. and if the physical evil of dyspepsia is the only consequence of his inaction, happy indeed may he be counted, for, in most similar cases, there is moral derangement affecting the char acter for life. We have been looking, however, at the case of the young man, whose patrimony renders it, in some res pects, unnecessary for him to labor for his living.— Let us see how it affects the youth who is not thus independent of his own exertions. He is sent to col lege, perhaps, by a parent who has learned from ex perience the disadvantages of growing up without education. That parent may be a farmer, or me chanic ; and, from his hard earnings, he spares the considerable amount requisite to give his son a col lege course of tuition. The young man “goes through college,” as it is termed —and whether he is wiser after he gets “ through” than he was before or not we will not query; and now arises the question: What shall he do for a living 1 His kind, sensible father suggests the propriety of his choosing a trade, but the young man is quite indignant at the idea. — What! he choose a trade —he who has gone through college—he a mechanic —a printer forsooth—a car penter—a brick-layer ! His pride rebels —his digni ty is outraged. He must choose & profession! Alas! that that profession is not si possession ; for we have known scores of young professional men who could tell you very glibly what they professed, but would tna.ke a poor out at showing what they possessed ! Now we contend that it would be far more sensible for a young man, who has to make his own way in the world, to choose a trade than to choose a profes sion. Ihe chances of success in the latter are not one in one hundred—while, in the former, health and diligence will inevitably ensure success. Hundreds of noble mechanics—men who would wield the axe— the sledge—the trowel, with a noble strength—or who would construct the delicate machine—or weave the exquisite fabric with a grace—are spoiled, abso lutely spoiled, every year by thrusting themselves in to professions, already so crowded, as to make poor and professional—synonymous And why is all this 1 is it because these young men are so averse to exer tion that they had rather starve than make it 1 By no means—for they can endure great physical exer tion in the chase, or in any shape of amusement. — It is because they regard labor —the employment of the artisan—as undignified—in a word, degrading.— delusion and fatal! “Lahore est orare,” says ihc classic sage; and in this brief sentence there is a volume of truthful and pertinent illustration of the true dignity of labor. Labor is the employment OH* &IEA & ¥ ® H¥if & ♦ of Deity, remarks some writer—or at least to similar effect —and this is true. The great Architect of the Universe is continually at work in some part or oth er of his vast dominions —developing, constructing and perfecting his operations. Labor is the natural condition of man. For this purpose God has given him constructive faculties, and opened before him a A-ast and limitless field of labor. How sublime are the achievements of labor! and yet, forsooth, labor is un dignified. Away with such sophism. Away with such weakness. Young man, whosoever thou art, whose eye rests upon these lines—discard at once and forever from thy mind the idea that labor degrades man. Vice and ignorance degrade man —and these have often been, alas ! the characteristics of the la boring classes. But it is so no longer, and the me chanics of our own country are now distinguished for intelligence and virtue —the true dignity of man. An educated young man who would devote himself to some mechanic art, would speedily arrive at hon orable distinction therein; and, how much better this than to sit in a vacant office watching for clients that will not come, or contemplating the jars and phials upon dusty shelves, and wishing that the scar let fever or measles would make its appearance in the neighborhood that there might be some demand for the professional service of the young Esculapius. We honor the professions as much as any man, and we believe that some of our youth must be educated to fill the vacancies which time makes in their ranks. But we mourn to see our youth crowding into them for the imaginary honor they bestow ; while in the field of the Mechanic Arts there is “ ample room and verge enough” for honorable distinction and fortune. We have said more than we intended; but it is a subject of vital interest , and if we have been, in the slightest degree, successful in enhancing the dignity of labor in the estimation of our readers, our task has not been a vain one. A Noble Example. There is in existence, in Franklin College, a Tem perance Society upon the Washingtonian principle, which embraces in its membership nearly, if not quite, two thirds of the entire number of the students. This association was established on thrust anniver sary of Washington’s birth-day, a noble and auspi cious day for so praiseworthy a deed. It affords us sincere gratification to chronicle this movement among the youth of our State University, who have set an example worthy of imitation in every kindred institution. Its founders and supporters do honor to themselves and the „ ‘Alma-Mater —and, if they are true to their principles, will hereafter do honor to their country. To the members of the College Tem perance Society we cordially say “Macte virtute.” Summer Recreation. As the season is rapidly approaching when the dwellers in the low country will be winging their flight to remote regions, in search of purer air and pleasure, let us earnestly woo them to our mountain region, where the picturesque and the sublime pre sent themselves at every step. Why will our people spend their summers at the North in search of nov elty, when they have never yet gazed upon the unri valled beauty of our own Toccoa —and the unsurpass ed grandeur of our majestic Tallulah and Yonah 1 We have often heard our friends acknowledge that, when asked by strangers at the North'how Tallulah will compare with Trenton —or Nacooche with the Valley of Wyoming, they have felt ashamed to con fess that they are utterly unacquainted with scenes, the rumor of whose beauty and magnificence has reached the most distant parts of our country. Next ! to the knowledge of one’s self, should be ranked the knowledge of what is about us —especially if it be in itself famous ;• and we earnestly advise our friends who, every summer, go to Niagara and Saratoga, to spend this summer among the glorious mountains of the South, and learn for themselves that the South has claims to natural beauty, not inferior to the most boasted regions of this continent. Sons of Temperance. A division of the “ Sons of Temperance” is about to be organized in this place, and we take this occa sion to commend to the favorable regard of those of our citizens, who desire to see the Temperance Refor mation progress, this admirable order of association for that object. The principles and practices of the “ Sons of Temperance” are purely benevolent, and in the highest degree worthy of the approbation and confidence of the virtuous. We earnestly bid them God-speed in their efforts here as elsewhere. 1 The Ladies. We take this occasion to appeal to the ladies for 1 their invaluable aid and sympathy in our enterprize. We remember, with pride and pleasure, the deep in terest they manifested in our former Journal; and we bespeak for the Southern Literary Gazette their regard and encouragement. Without the fostering hand and the approving smile of woman, we dare not hope for success. These granted we defy Fate to prevent our triumph. (s>ur (Gosstp Column. It is pleasant, kind reader, to receive expressions of sympathy in your attempts to accomplish any ar duous task. So have we felt it in this literary enter prise—to receive from the wise and distinguished among us, assurances of interest in our labors, cou pled, as they frequently are, with promises of litera ry aid. A friend writing to us recently, from one of our Universities, says: “ Desirous for the promotion of Southern literature, you will please enrol my name among your subscribers. * * * You launch up on a broad sea, and in full view of the wrecks of for mer enterprizes, which have set sail from the same port; but with a thousand good patrons in the out set, *to raise the wind,’ I trust you will venture ‘an outside passage;’ and, avoiding breakers and head-lands, with full sails and a deep sea, bo able to preserve both ship and cargo safe.” Another, a dis tinguished son of Alabama, an article from whose pen we shall publish next week, writes thus: “ I had noticed your enterprise, and had intended to offer you my poor pen in aid of it. I take much interest in all efforts to advance Southern Literature.” We might quote many such passages ; but these will suf fice as a specimen of that sort of approbat ion which compensates us for what is too justly regarded a thankless task Our correspondent’s pa per, entitled “ Slips of the Tongue,” and for which we may perhaps find room, reminds us of a very amusing anecdote related of Lord Sandwich, a no bleman remarkable for his humor. Lord S., when first Lord of the Admiralty, was dining, on one occa sion, with the Corporation of Worcester. During the feast a servant, who was bringing in a boiled tongue, unfortunately tripped his foot and let the dish fall to the floor. In the confusion occasioned by the mishap, the Mayor of the city expressed his re gret thereat to his Lordship, who, however, instant ly replied, with great humor, “ Oh! never mind, never mind, ’tis only a lapsus linguae,” at which ad mirable sally the whole party joined in a chorus of laughter, so hearty, that one of the Aldermen pres ent resolved to repeat the joke at the first dinner party he gave. Accordingly, when the occasion of fered, he told his servant to let fall a leg of mutton ! This was done, and while his guests looked their concern, he rubbed his hands in great glee and exclaimed, “ Oh! never mind it’s only a lapsus linguae.” The company looked blank, but no volley of laughter ensued—he alone roaring ob streperously. Observing this he stopped his mirth and told them that when Lord Sandwich said the same thing, on a former occasion, every one laughed, and he did not see why they did not laugh at his rep etition of it. This expose had the desired effect, for every guest might have been described as “ laugh ter holding both his sides,” and the host was satis fied! .... It will hardly be questioned we imagine, dear reader, that “ cullered pussons” have imagination, and that, too, of a very glowing kind, after the following proof of the fact, which we have direct from the lips of a friend, who was an ear-wit ness to the description. We believe we preserve the exact words of the ebony orator: “Stan aside nig gers —let me tell you! I hab a dream, and see de devil! He hab an eye like de moon ;he hab a nose like canoe ; he hab an ear same as ’bocca leaf; he hab a shoulder like the Blue Ridge, an ’ he hab a tail like de rainbotv /” .... We find ourself compelled to omit from this number our usual summaries of for eign and home intelligence. The telegraphic dispatch of the news by the Caledonia, is however, so meagre, that it leaves us little room to regret the necessity. The letters of our London and New York Correspon dents, embrace almost every thing of interest to both hemispheres. We hope early to be able to present our readers with a series of Letters from Italy, by a popular author The citizens of our town ten dered a dinner to Captain Craig, who, however, de clined the proffered honor, in a soldier-like letter, pleading continued indisposition inconsequence of his wound at Contreras. We are pleased to observe that this gallant officer has been promoted to a majorship, by brevet. Notices to Correspondents. “Amicus.” Your paper entitled “ The Modem I Don Quixotte” is capital truly, and done to the life. We fear, however, that we cannot print it ! without departing from a rule we have laid down, viz: to publish nothing which can reasonably be re garded sis personal satire. Is not the article in ques tion of this character, and are we not right in saying “ no,” even to “ a friend 1” B. H. B. Your poem has been received and will have early attention. “ Madison” is under advisement. Thanks to “ R.” “L.” We have received the MSS. and, as soon as possible, we will examine and report on them. “ Carolus.” Let us remind you of the classic ad- j age, “ Pocta nascitur non Jit.” E. D. W. Will hear from us shortly in some way. “Grammarian.” We are compelled to decline “ Nouns, Common and Proper.” A. J. P. Many thanks for your kind letter and promise. ©uc JSoofe £a&:c, (0- Publishers and Authors who may wish to have ; t heir books noticed in the Southern Literary Gazette, will please send copies for the Editor, to Messrs, Burgess, Stringer & Cos., New Yorir, who will send a parcel to him every week by express. A Supplement to the Plays oe William Siiak speare, comprising the Seven Dramas, which have been ascribed to his pen, but which are not inclu ded with his writings in modern editions. Edited, with Notes and an Introduction to each play, by W illiam Gilmore Simms, Esq. 1 vol. royal Bvo. pp. 178, with plates. New York: Geo. F. Cool idge & Brother* The admirers of Shakspeare—and who are they not 1 should certainly thank both the Editor and the Publishers, for the first American Edition “of the apocryphal plays of the immortal Dramatist.— These plays are severqin number—namely: The two Noble Kinsmen, The London Prodigal, Thomas Lord Cromwell, Sir John Oldcastle, The Puritan, The Yorkshire Tragedy and Locrine. With regard to their authenticity, the critics are divided; some of the most distinguished believe that several, if not all, are of common origin with the world-renowned Hamlet, and the powerful Macbeth. The able Edi tor of the work under notice, has not undertaken to settle this yiuestio vexata, but he has performed a very acceptable and valuable task, by collecting, in his preface to each of these imputed plays, all the known facts and leading opinions concerning their authorship, with a laudable view of facilitating the judgement of the reader, who may desire to arrive at some conclusion for himself. The Editor very properly and ably argues that the common objection urged to the genuineness of these plays—founded on their acknowledged inferiority to Shakspearc’s undoubted works —is not valid. He suggests that they may have been his earliest pro ductions, when, as is the case w ith most authors, Shakspeare wrote not “ from himself” —and in illus tration of this opinion, instances the “ feeble ballads of Walter Scott” and “ the boyish ditties of Lord By ron.” We cannot pursue the question here; but we thank Mr. Simms for this “ labor of love,” in the fields of the Old Dramatic Literature, and whether these Seven Plays are the production of Shakespeare or not, w are glad to be in possession of them, lest haply, we might in their absence, be destitute of what was possibly, the work of the greatest dramatic poet of all times. The Prefaces of the Plays exhibit the peculiar in dustry and untiring research of their author, and we shall be excused perhaps, for expressing in this con nection, our pride and pleasure in seeing the “ first American edition” of these Plays, so handsomely set forth by a Southern writer, of whom the South may be justly proud. A Dispensatory and Therapeutical Remembran cer ; comprising entire lists of Materia Medica Preparations and Compounds, with a full and dis tinct version of every Practical Formula, as author ized by the London, Edinburgh and Dublin Royal College of Physicians, in the latest Editions of their Several Pharmacojmias, to which are sub joined copious Relative Tables, exemplifying ap proved forms under which compatible Medicines, &c., may be extemporaneously combined, &c., &c. By John Mayne, M. D., L. R. C. S., Edinburgh. Revised with the addition of the Formulae of the United States Pharmacopoeia, etc. By R. Egles field Griffith, M. D. 1 vol. 12mo. pp. 32i). Philadelphia: Lea& Blanchard. For the benefit of our Medical readers, we have quoted the title page in full, of the neat volume be fore us. We should be as much out of our element in pronouncing on the merits of a Medical Dispensa tory, as a wood-sawyer would be in discauting on the merits of an “ old master.” So w r e have let the book tell its own story —and if it tells no more than it per forms, it must be a very valuable volume to the young practitioner. It has the additional merit of being very recent —and the names of its Publishers and Editors are a sufficient endorsement for its worth. Love’s Calendar. Lays of the Hudson, and other Poems. By Charles Fenno Hoffman. New York : D. Appleton & Cos. This is a charming little volume, by one of the best song-writers and most accomplished scholars of our country It is just the book to put into your pocket when you stroll into the quiet woods; or it is equally suited for a token of remembrance or affection to a friend. It is published uniform with the Appletons’ elegant Miniature Classics, and it is well deserving the place they have given it in their ISeries. The Southern Quarterly Review. No. XXVI. April, 1848. Charleston, S. C.: Burges & James. The present number of this valuable journal, has, among other interesting articles, an able critique upon Dr. Stevens’ History of Georgia, which we believe is from the pen of Mr. Simms. The reviewer accords praise to the author for the general tone and execution of the work, but seems to rebuke what he conceives to be injustice to South Carolina, in regard to her relations to the colony of Oglethorpe, in its early history. Our limits forbid us to say more on this subject. 23