In our country the choice of his profession is generally left with the boy himself. He selects, under the direction of his parents, such occupation as suits his taste, and to which he feels that he is partial. He goes from school to his employment in business, and thenceforward he is the pioneer of his own fortune; and his success depends upon himself. He can work his way to eminence if he is enterprising and industrious; or, he can lag with the crowd, and continue among those who are unsuccessful, and who are called unfortunate. I say _called unfortunate_, because the misfortunes of men are generally the fruits of their own incompetent labors. They are produced by their want of energy and active devotion to their profession. Remember that, as well as their fortunes, men make their _mis_fortunes themselves. If the man would be successful, he must _study_ as well as work. And he must study how to work, and how to bring his labor to good account. The school boy must not throw his books away when he leaves the school. He must carry them with him through life, and he must use them. The model which I have placed before you, in our venerated Washington, is not to be imitated by him who disregards his books. He was pre-eminently distinguished by habits of study. And we hear of no hours of any part of his life that were wasted in idleness, or spent in the mere pursuit of pleasure. He gained his character by study, and by persevering labor. He wrought his way to the distinguished position he attained. He won the palm by active and untiring devotion to the pursuit of his choice. APPLICATION OF THE MOTTO.