A man may or may not have another employment to back him, or means of his own; or,--as was the case with Thackeray, when, after his first misadventure, he had to look about him for the means of living,--he may have nothing but his intellect and his friends.

But the idea comes to the man that as he has the pen and ink, and time on his hand, why should he not write and make money?
It is an idea that comes to very many men and women, old as well as young,--to many thousands who at last are crushed by it, of whom the world knows nothing.

A man can make the attempt though he has not a coat fit to go out into the street with; or a woman, though she be almost in rags.

There is no apprenticeship wanted.

Indeed there is no room for such apprenticeship.