ThoughSirWalterScott，whenatEdinburghCollege，wentbythe，nameof“TheGreekBlockhead，“hewas，notwithstandinghis，lameness，aremarkablyhealthyyouth：，hecouldspearasalmonwith，thebestfisherontheTweed，andrideawildhorsewithanyhunter，inYarrow。Whendevotinghimselfinafterlifetoliterary，pursuits，SirWalterneverlosthistasteforfieldsports;but，whilewriting’Waverley’inthemorning，hewouldintheafternoon，coursehares。ProfessorWilsonwasaveryathlete，asgreatat，throwingthehammerasinhisflightsofeloquenceandpoetry;and，Burns，whenayouth，wasremarkablechieflyforhisleaping，putting，andwrestling。Someofourgreatestdivineswere，distinguishedintheiryouthfortheirphysicalenergies。Isaac，Barrow，whenattheCharterhouseSchool，wasnotoriousforhis，pugilisticencounters，inwhichhegotmanyabloodynose;Andrew，Fuller，whenworkingasafarmer’sladatSoham，waschieflyfamous，forhisskillinboxing;andAdamClarke，whenaboy，wasonly，remarkableforthestrengthdisplayedbyhimin“rollinglarge，stonesabout，“-thesecret，possibly，ofsomeofthepowerwhich，hesubsequentlydisplayedinrollingforthlargethoughtsinhis，manhood。
Whileitisnecessary，then，inthefirstplacetosecurethis，solidfoundationofphysicalhealth，itmustalsobeobservedthat，thecultivationofthehabitofmentalapplicationisquite，indispensablefortheeducationofthestudent。Themaximthat，“Labourconquersallthings“holdsespeciallytrueinthecaseof，theconquestofknowledge。Theroadintolearningisalikefreeto，allwhowillgivethelabourandthestudyrequisitetogatherit;
norarethereanydifficultiessogreatthatthestudentof，resolutepurposemaynotsurmountandovercomethem。Itwasoneof，thecharacteristicexpressionsofChatterton，thatGodhadsenthis，creaturesintotheworldwitharmslongenoughtoreachanythingif，theychosetobeatthetrouble。Instudy，asinbusiness，energy，isthegreatthing。Theremustbethe“fervetopus“：，wemustnot，onlystriketheironwhileitishot，butstrikeittillitismade，hot。Itisastonishinghowmuchmaybeaccomplishedinself-
culturebytheenergeticandthepersevering，whoarecarefulto，availthemselvesofopportunities，anduseupthefragmentsof，sparetimewhichtheidlepermittoruntowaste。ThusFerguson，learntastronomyfromtheheavens，whilewraptinasheep-skinon，thehighlandhills。ThusStonelearntmathematicswhileworkingas，ajourneymangardener;thusDrewstudiedthehighestphilosophyin，theintervalsofcobblingshoes;andthusMillertaughthimself，geologywhileworkingasadaylabourerinaquarry。
SirJoshuaReynolds，aswehavealreadyobserved，wassoearnesta，believerintheforceofindustrythatheheldthatallmenmight，achieveexcellenceiftheywouldbutexercisethepowerof，assiduousandpatientworking。Heheldthatdrudgerylayonthe，roadtogenius，andthattherewasnolimittotheproficiencyof，anartistexceptthelimitofhisownpainstaking。Hewouldnot，believeinwhatiscalledinspiration，butonlyinstudyand，labour。”Excellence，“hesaid，“isnevergrantedtomanbutasthe，rewardoflabour。”，“Ifyouhavegreattalents，industrywill，improvethem;ifyouhavebutmoderateabilities，industrywill，supplytheirdeficiency。Nothingisdeniedtowell-directed，labour;nothingistobeobtainedwithoutit。”，SirFowellBuxton，wasanequalbelieverinthepowerofstudy;andheentertainedthe，modestideathathecoulddoaswellasothermenifhedevotedto，thepursuitdoublethetimeandlabourthattheydid。Heplaced，hisgreatconfidenceinordinarymeansandextraordinary，application。
“Ihaveknownseveralmeninmylife，“saysDr。Ross，“whomaybe，recognizedindaystocomeasmenofgenius，andtheywereall，plodders，hard-working，INTENTmen。Geniusisknownbyitsworks;
geniuswithoutworksisablindfaith，adumboracle。But，meritoriousworksaretheresultoftimeandlabour，andcannotbe，accomplishedbyintentionorbyawish……Everygreatworkis，theresultofvastpreparatorytraining。Facilitycomesbylabour。
Nothingseemseasy，notevenwalking，thatwasnotdifficultat，first。Theoratorwhoseeyeflashesinstantaneousfire，andwhose，lipspouroutafloodofnoblethoughts，startlingbytheir，unexpectedness，andelevatingbytheirwisdomandtruth，has，learnedhissecretbypatientrepetition，andaftermanybitter，disappointments。”(29)
Thoroughnessandaccuracyaretwoprincipalpointstobeaimedat，instudy。FrancisHorner，inlayingdownrulesforthecultivation，ofhismind，placedgreatstressuponthehabitofcontinuous，applicationtoonesubjectforthesakeofmasteringitthoroughly;
heconfinedhimself，withthisobject，toonlyafewbooks，and，resistedwiththegreatestfirmness“everyapproachtoahabitof，desultoryreading。”，Thevalueofknowledgetoanymanconsistsnot，initsquantity，butmainlyinthegoodusestowhichhecanapply，it。Hencealittleknowledge，ofanexactandperfectcharacter，isalwaysfoundmorevaluableforpracticalpurposesthanany，extentofsuperficiallearning。
OneofIgnatiusLoyola’smaximswas，“Hewhodoeswelloneworkat，atime，doesmorethanall。”，Byspreadingoureffortsovertoo，largeasurfaceweinevitablyweakenourforce，hinderour，progress，andacquireahabitoffitfulnessandineffective，working。LordSt。LeonardsoncecommunicatedtoSirFowellBuxton，themodeinwhichhehadconductedhisstudies，andthusexplained，thesecretofhissuccess。”Iresolved，“saidhe，“whenbeginning，toreadlaw，tomakeeverythingIacquiredperfectlymyown，and，nevertogotoasecondthingtillIhadentirelyaccomplishedthe，first。ManyofmycompetitorsreadasmuchinadayasIreadina，week;but，attheendoftwelvemonths，myknowledgewasasfresh，asthedayitwasacquired，whiletheirshadglidedawayfrom，recollection。”
Itisnotthequantityofstudythatonegetsthrough，orthe，amountofreading，thatmakesawiseman;buttheappositenessof，thestudytothepurposeforwhichitispursued;theconcentration，ofthemindforthetimebeingonthesubjectunderconsideration;
andthehabitualdisciplinebywhichthewholesystemofmental，applicationisregulated。Abernethywasevenofopinionthatthere，wasapointofsaturationinhisownmind，andthatifhetookinto，itsomethingmorethanitcouldhold，itonlyhadtheeffectof，pushingsomethingelseout。Speakingofthestudyofmedicine，he，said，“Ifamanhasaclearideaofwhathedesirestodo，hewill，seldomfailinselectingthepropermeansofaccomplishingit。”
Themostprofitablestudyisthatwhichisconductedwitha，definiteaimandobject。Bythoroughlymasteringanygivenbranch，ofknowledgewerenderitmoreavailableforuseatanymoment。
Henceitisnotenoughmerelytohavebooks，ortoknowwhereto，readforinformationaswewantit。Practicalwisdom，forthe，purposesoflife，mustbecarriedaboutwithus，andbereadyfor，useatcall。Itisnotsufficientthatwehaveafundlaidupat，home，butnotafarthinginthepocket：，wemustcarryaboutwith，usastoreofthecurrentcoinofknowledgereadyforexchangeon，alloccasions，elsewearecomparativelyhelplesswhenthe，opportunityforusingitoccurs。
Decisionandpromptitudeareasrequisiteinself-cultureasin，business。Thegrowthofthesequalitiesmaybeencouragedby，accustomingyoungpeopletorelyupontheirownresources，leaving，themtoenjoyasmuchfreedomofactioninearlylifeasis，practicable。Toomuchguidanceandrestrainthindertheformation，ofhabitsofself-help。Theyarelikebladderstiedunderthearms，ofonewhohasnottaughthimselftoswim。Wantofconfidenceis，perhapsagreaterobstacletoimprovementthanisgenerally，imagined。Ithasbeensaidthathalfthefailuresinlifearise，frompullinginone’shorsewhileheisleaping。Dr。Johnsonwas，accustomedtoattributehissuccesstoconfidenceinhisown，powers。Truemodestyisquitecompatiblewithadueestimateof，one’sownmerits，anddoesnotdemandtheabnegationofallmerit。
Thoughtherearethosewhodeceivethemselvesbyputtingafalse，figurebeforetheirciphers，thewantofconfidence，thewantof，faithinone’sself，andconsequentlythewantofpromptitudein，action，isadefectofcharacterwhichisfoundtostandverymuch，inthewayofindividualprogress;andthereasonwhysolittleis，done，isgenerallybecausesolittleisattempted。
Thereisusuallynowantofdesireonthepartofmostpersonsto，arriveattheresultsofself-culture，butthereisagreat，aversiontopaytheinevitablepriceforit，ofhardwork。Dr。
Johnsonheldthat“impatienceofstudywasthementaldiseaseof，thepresentgeneration;“andtheremarkisstillapplicable。We，maynotbelievethatthereisaroyalroadtolearning，butweseem，tobelieveveryfirmlyina“popular“one。Ineducation，weinvent，labour-savingprocesses，seekshortcutstoscience，learnFrench，andLatin“intwelvelessons，“or“withoutamaster。”，Weresemble，theladyoffashion，whoengagedamastertoteachheroncondition，thathedidnotplagueherwithverbsandparticiples。Wegetour，smatteringofscienceinthesameway;welearnchemistryby，listeningtoashortcourseoflecturesenlivenedbyexperiments，andwhenwehaveinhaledlaughinggas，seengreenwaterturnedto，red，andphosphorusburntinoxygen，wehavegotoursmattering，of，whichthemostthatcanbesaidis，thatthoughitmaybebetter，thannothing，itisyetgoodfornothing。Thusweoftenimaginewe，arebeingeducatedwhileweareonlybeingamused。
Thefacilitywithwhichyoungpeoplearethusinducedtoacquire，knowledge，withoutstudyandlabour，isnoteducation。Itoccupies，butdoesnotenrichthemind。Itimpartsastimulusforthetime，andproducesasortofintellectualkeennessandcleverness;but，withoutanimplantedpurposeandahigherobjectthanmere，pleasure，itwillbringwithitnosolidadvantage。Insuchcases，knowledgeproducesbutapassingimpression;asensation，butno，more;itis，infact，themerestepicurismofintelligence-
sensuous，butcertainlynotintellectual。Thusthebestqualities，ofmanyminds，thosewhichareevokedbyvigorouseffortand，independentaction，sleepadeepsleep，andareoftennevercalled，tolife，exceptbytheroughawakeningofsuddencalamityor，suffering，which，insuchcases，comesasablessing，ifitserves，torouseupacourageousspiritthat，butforit，wouldhaveslept，on。
Accustomedtoacquireinformationundertheguiseofamusement，youngpeoplewillsoonrejectthatwhichispresentedtothemunder，theaspectofstudyandlabour。Learningtheirknowledgeand，scienceinsport，theywillbetooapttomakesportofboth;while，thehabitofintellectualdissipation，thusengendered，cannot，fail，incourseoftime，toproduceathoroughlyemasculating，effectbothupontheirmindandcharacter。”Multifariousreading，“
saidRobertsonofBrighton，“weakensthemindlikesmoking，andis，anexcuseforitslyingdormant。Itistheidlestofall，idlenesses，andleavesmoreofimpotencythananyother。”
Theevilisagrowingone，andoperatesinvariousways。Itsleast，mischiefisshallowness;itsgreatest，theaversiontosteady，labourwhichitinduces，andthelowandfeebletoneofmindwhich，itencourages。Ifwewouldbereallywise，wemustdiligently，applyourselves，andconfrontthesamecontinuousapplicationwhich，ourforefathersdid;forlabourisstill，andeverwillbe，the，inevitablepricesetuponeverythingwhichisvaluable。Wemustbe，satisfiedtoworkwithapurpose，andwaittheresultswith，patience。Allprogress，ofthebestkind，isslow;buttohimwho，worksfaithfullyandzealouslytherewardwill，doubtless，be，vouchsafedingoodtime。Thespiritofindustry，embodiedina，man’sdailylife，willgraduallyleadhimtoexercisehispowerson，objectsoutsidehimself，ofgreaterdignityandmoreextended，usefulness。Andstillwemustlabouron;fortheworkofself-
cultureisneverfinished。”Tobeemployed，“saidthepoetGray，“istobehappy。”，“Itisbettertowearoutthanrustout，“said，BishopCumberland。”Havewenotalleternitytorestin？”
exclaimedArnauld。”Reposailleurs“wasthemottoofMarnixdeSt。
Aldegonde，theenergeticandever-workingfriendofWilliamthe，Silent。
Itistheusewemakeofthepowersentrustedtous，which，constitutesouronlyjustclaimtorespect。Hewhoemployshisone，talentarightisasmuchtobehonouredashetowhomtentalents，havebeengiven。Thereisreallynomorepersonalmeritattaching，tothepossessionofsuperiorintellectualpowersthanthereisin，thesuccessiontoalargeestate。Howarethosepowersused-how，isthatestateemployed？，Themindmayaccumulatelargestoresof，knowledgewithoutanyusefulpurpose;buttheknowledgemustbe，alliedtogoodnessandwisdom，andembodiedinuprightcharacter，elseitisnaught。Pestalozzievenheldintellectualtrainingby，itselftobepernicious;insistingthattherootsofallknowledge，muststrikeandfeedinthesoiloftherightly-governedwill。The，acquisitionofknowledgemay，itistrue，protectamanagainstthe，meanerfeloniesoflife;butnotinanydegreeagainstitsselfish，vices，unlessfortifiedbysoundprinciplesandhabits。Hencedo，wefindindailylifesomanyinstancesofmenwhoarewell-
informedinintellect，bututterlydeformedincharacter;filled，withthelearningoftheschools，yetpossessinglittlepractical，wisdom，andofferingexamplesforwarningratherthanimitation。
Anoftenquotedexpressionatthisdayisthat“Knowledgeis，power;“butsoalsoarefanaticism，despotism，andambition。
Knowledgeofitself，unlesswiselydirected，mightmerelymakebad，menmoredangerous，andthesocietyinwhichitwasregardedasthe，highestgood，littlebetterthanapandemonium。
Itispossiblethatatthisdaywemayevenexaggeratethe，importanceofliteraryculture。Weareapttoimaginethatbecause，wepossessmanylibraries，institutes，andmuseums，wearemaking，greatprogress。Butsuchfacilitiesmayasoftenbeahindranceas，ahelptoindividualself-cultureofthehighestkind。The，possessionofalibrary，orthefreeuseofit，nomoreconstitutes，learning，thanthepossessionofwealthconstitutesgenerosity。
Thoughweundoubtedlypossessgreatfacilitiesitisnevertheless，true，asofold，thatwisdomandunderstandingcanonlybecomethe，possessionofindividualmenbytravellingtheoldroadof，observation，attention，perseverance，andindustry。Thepossession，ofthemerematerialsofknowledgeissomethingverydifferentfrom，wisdomandunderstanding，whicharereachedthroughahigherkind，ofdisciplinethanthatofreading，-whichisoftenbutamere，passivereceptionofothermen’sthoughts;therebeinglittleorno，activeeffortofmindinthetransaction。Thenhowmuchofour，readingisbuttheindulgenceofasortofintellectualdram-
drinking，impartingagratefulexcitementforthemoment，without，theslightesteffectinimprovingandenrichingthemindor，buildingupthecharacter。Thusmanyindulgethemselvesinthe，conceitthattheyarecultivatingtheirminds，whentheyareonly，employedinthehumbleroccupationofkillingtime，ofwhich，perhapsthebestthatcanbesaidisthatitkeepsthemfromdoing，worsethings。
Itisalsotobeborneinmindthattheexperiencegatheredfrom，books，thoughoftenvaluable，isbutofthenatureofLEARNING;
whereastheexperiencegainedfromactuallifeisofthenatureof，WISDOM;andasmallstoreofthelatterisworthvastlymorethan，anystockoftheformer。LordBolingbroketrulysaidthat，“Whateverstudytendsneitherdirectlynorindirectlytomakeus，bettermenandcitizens，isatbestbutaspeciousandingenious，sortofidleness，andtheknowledgeweacquirebyit，onlya，creditablekindofignorance-nothingmore。”
Usefulandinstructivethoughgoodreadingmaybe，itisyetonly，onemodeofcultivatingthemind;andismuchlessinfluentialthan，practicalexperienceandgoodexampleintheformationof，character。Therewerewise，valiant，andtrue-heartedmenbredin，England，longbeforetheexistenceofareadingpublic。Magna，Chartawassecuredbymenwhosignedthedeedwiththeirmarks。
Thoughaltogetherunskilledintheartofdecipheringtheliterary，signsbywhichprinciplesweredenominateduponpaper，theyyet，understoodandappreciated，andboldlycontendedfor，thethings，themselves。ThusthefoundationsofEnglishlibertywerelaidby，men，who，thoughilliterate，wereneverthelessoftheveryhighest，stampofcharacter。Anditmustbeadmittedthatthechiefobject，ofcultureis，notmerelytofillthemindwithothermen’s，thoughts，andtobethepassiverecipientoftheirimpressionsof，things，buttoenlargeourindividualintelligence，andrenderus，moreusefulandefficientworkersinthesphereoflifetowhichwe，maybecalled。Manyofourmostenergeticandusefulworkershave，beenbutsparingreaders。BrindleyandStephensondidnotlearnto，readandwriteuntiltheyreachedmanhood，andyettheydidgreat，worksandlivedmanlylives;JohnHuntercouldbarelyreadorwrite，whenhewastwentyyearsold，thoughhecouldmaketablesand，chairswithanycarpenterinthetrade。”Ineverread，“saidthe，greatphysiologistwhenlecturingbeforehisclass;“this“-
pointingtosomepartofthesubjectbeforehim-“thisisthework，thatyoumuststudyifyouwishtobecomeeminentinyour，profession。”，Whentoldthatoneofhiscontemporarieshadcharged，himwithbeingignorantofthedeadlanguages，hesaid，“Iwould，undertaketoteachhimthatonthedeadbodywhichheneverknewin，anylanguage，deadorliving。”
Itisnotthenhowmuchamanmayknow，thatisofimportance，but，theendandpurposeforwhichheknowsit。Theobjectofknowledge，shouldbetomaturewisdomandimprovecharacter，torenderus，better，happier，andmoreuseful;morebenevolent，moreenergetic，andmoreefficientinthepursuitofeveryhighpurposeinlife。
“Whenpeopleoncefallintothehabitofadmiringandencouraging，abilityassuch，withoutreferencetomoralcharacter-and，religiousandpoliticalopinionsaretheconcreteformofmoral，character-theyareonthehighwaytoallsortsofdegradation。”
(30)，WemustourselvesBEandDO，andnotrestsatisfiedmerely，withreadingandmeditatingoverwhatothermenhavebeenanddone。
Ourbestlightmustbemadelife，andourbestthoughtaction。At，leastweoughttobeabletosay，asRichterdid，“Ihavemadeas，muchoutofmyselfascouldbemadeofthestuff，andnomanshould，requiremore;“foritiseveryman’sdutytodisciplineandguide，himself，withGod’shelp，accordingtohisresponsibilitiesandthe，facultieswithwhichhehasbeenendowed。
Self-disciplineandself-controlarethebeginningsofpractical，wisdom;andthesemusthavetheirrootinself-respect。Hope，springsfromit-hope，whichisthecompanionofpower，andthe，motherofsuccess;forwhosohopesstronglyhaswithinhimthegift，ofmiracles。Thehumblestmaysay，“Torespectmyself，todevelop，myself-thisismytruedutyinlife。Anintegralandresponsible，partofthegreatsystemofsociety，Ioweittosocietyandtoits，Authornottodegradeordestroyeithermybody，mind，or，instincts。Onthecontrary，Iamboundtothebestofmypowerto，givetothosepartsofmyconstitutionthehighestdegreeof，perfectionpossible。Iamnotonlytosuppresstheevil，butto，evokethegoodelementsinmynature。AndasIrespectmyself，so，amIequallyboundtorespectothers，astheyontheirpartare，boundtorespectme。”，Hencemutualrespect，justice，andorder，of，whichlawbecomesthewrittenrecordandguarantee。
Self-respectisthenoblestgarmentwithwhichamanmayclothe，himself-themostelevatingfeelingwithwhichthemindcanbe，inspired。OneofPythagoras’swisestmaxims，inhis’Golden，Verses，’isthatwithwhichheenjoinsthepupilto“reverence，himself。”，Borneupbythishighidea，hewillnotdefilehisbody，bysensuality，norhismindbyservilethoughts。Thissentiment，carriedintodailylife，willbefoundattherootofallthe，virtues-cleanliness，sobriety，chastity，morality，andreligion。
“Thepiousandjusthonouringofourselves，“saidMilton，maybe，thoughttheradicalmoistureandfountain-headfromwhenceevery，laudableandworthyenterpriseissuesforth。”，Tothinkmeanlyof，one’sself，istosinkinone’sownestimationaswellasinthe，estimationofothers。Andasthethoughtsare，sowilltheacts，be。Mancannotaspireifhelookdown;ifhewillrise，hemust，lookup。Theveryhumblestmaybesustainedbytheproper，indulgenceofthisfeeling。Povertyitselfmaybeliftedand，lightedupbyself-respect;anditistrulyanoblesighttoseea，poormanholdhimselfuprightamidsthistemptations，andrefuseto，demeanhimselfbylowactions。
Onewayinwhichself-culturemaybedegradedisbyregardingit，tooexclusivelyasameansof“gettingon。”，Viewedinthislight，itisunquestionablethateducationisoneofthebestinvestments，oftimeandlabour。Inanylineoflife，intelligencewillenable，amantoadapthimselfmorereadilytocircumstances，suggest，improvedmethodsofworking，andrenderhimmoreapt，skilledand，effectiveinallrespects。Hewhoworkswithhisheadaswellas，hishands，willcometolookathisbusinesswithaclearereye;
andhewillbecomeconsciousofincreasingpower-perhapsthemost，cheeringconsciousnessthehumanmindcancherish。Thepowerof，self-helpwillgraduallygrow;andinproportiontoaman’sself-
respect，willhebearmedagainstthetemptationoflow，indulgences。Societyanditsactionwillberegardedwithquitea，newinterest，hissympathieswillwidenandenlarge，andhewill，thusbeattractedtoworkforothersaswellasforhimself。
Self-culturemaynot，however，endineminence，asinthenumerous，instancesabovecited。Thegreatmajorityofmen，inalltimes，howeverenlightened，mustnecessarilybeengagedintheordinary，avocationsofindustry;andnodegreeofculturewhichcanbe，conferreduponthecommunityatlargewilleverenablethem-even，wereitdesirable，whichitisnot-togetridofthedailywork，ofsociety，whichmustbedone。Butthis，wethink，mayalsobe，accomplished。Wecanelevatetheconditionoflabourbyallyingit，tonoblethoughts，whichconferagraceuponthelowliestaswell，asthehighestrank。Fornomatterhowpoororhumbleamanmay，be，thegreatthinkerofthisandotherdaysmaycomeinandsit，downwithhim，andbehiscompanionforthetime，thoughhis，dwellingbethemeanesthut。Itisthusthatthehabitofwell-
directedreadingmaybecomeasourceofthegreatestpleasureand，self-improvement，andexerciseagentlecoercion，withthemost，beneficialresults，overthewholetenourofaman’scharacterand，conduct。Andeventhoughself-culturemaynotbringwealth，it，willatalleventsgiveonethecompanionshipofelevatedthoughts。
Anoblemanoncecontemptuouslyaskedofasage，“Whathaveyougot，byallyourphilosophy？”“AtleastIhavegotsocietyinmyself，“
wasthewiseman’sreply。
Butmanyareapttofeeldespondent，andbecomediscouragedinthe，workofself-culture，becausetheydonot“geton“intheworldso，fastastheythinktheydeservetodo。Havingplantedtheiracorn，theyexpecttoseeitgrowintoanoakatonce。Theyhaveperhaps，lookeduponknowledgeinthelightofamarketablecommodity，and，areconsequentlymortifiedbecauseitdoesnotsellasthey，expecteditwoulddo。Mr。Tremenheere，inoneofhis’Education，Reports’(for1840-1)，statesthataschoolmasterinNorfolk，findinghisschoolrapidlyfallingoff，madeinquiryintothe，cause，andascertainedthatthereasongivenbythemajorityofthe，parentsforwithdrawingtheirchildrenwas，thattheyhadexpected，“educationwastomakethembetteroffthantheywerebefore，“but，thathavingfoundithad“donethemnogood，“theyhadtakentheir，childrenfromschool，andwouldgivethemselvesnofurthertrouble，abouteducation！
Thesamelowideaofself-cultureisbuttooprevalentinother，classes，andisencouragedbythefalseviewsoflifewhichare，alwaysmoreorlesscurrentinsociety。Buttoregardself-culture，eitherasameansofgettingpastothersintheworld，orof，intellectualdissipationandamusement，ratherthanasapowerto，elevatethecharacterandexpandthespiritualnature，istoplace，itonaverylowlevel。TousethewordsofBacon，“Knowledgeis，notashopforprofitorsale，butarichstorehousefortheglory，oftheCreatorandthereliefofman’sestate。”，Itisdoubtless，mosthonourableforamantolabourtoelevatehimself，andto，betterhisconditioninsociety，butthisisnottobedoneatthe，sacrificeofhimself。Tomakethemindthemeredrudgeofthe，body，isputtingittoaveryservileuse;andtogoaboutwhining，andbemoaningourpitifullotbecausewefailinachievingthat，successinlifewhich，afterall，dependsratheruponhabitsof，industryandattentiontobusinessdetailsthanuponknowledge，is，themarkofasmall，andoftenofasourmind。Suchatemper，cannotbetterbereprovedthaninthewordsofRobertSouthey，who，thuswrotetoafriendwhosoughthiscounsel：，“Iwouldgiveyou，adviceifitcouldbeofuse;butthereisnocuringthosewho，choosetobediseased。Agoodmanandawisemanmayattimesbe，angrywiththeworld，attimesgrievedforit;butbesurenoman，waseverdiscontentedwiththeworldifhedidhisdutyinit。If，amanofeducation，whohashealth，eyes，hands，andleisure，wants，anobject，itisonlybecauseGodAlmightyhasbestowedallthose，blessingsuponamanwhodoesnotdeservethem。”
Anotherwayinwhicheducationmaybeprostitutedisbyemploying，itasameremeansofintellectualdissipationandamusement。Many，aretheministerstothistasteinourtime。Thereisalmosta，maniaforfrivolityandexcitement，whichexhibitsitselfinmany，formsinourpopularliterature。Tomeetthepublictaste，our，booksandperiodicalsmustnowbehighlyspiced，amusing，and，comic，notdisdainingslang，andillustrativeofbreachesofall，laws，humananddivine。DouglasJerroldonceobservedofthis，tendency，“Iamconvincedtheworldwillgettired(atleastIhope，so)ofthiseternalguffawaboutallthings。Afterall，lifehas，somethingseriousinit。Itcannotbeallacomichistoryof，humanity。Somemenwould，Ibelieve，writeaComicSermononthe，Mount。ThinkofaComicHistoryofEngland，thedrolleryof，Alfred，thefunofSirThomasMore，thefarceofhisdaughter，beggingthedeadheadandclaspingitinhercoffinonherbosom。
Surelytheworldwillbesickofthisblasphemy。”，JohnSterling，inalikespirit，said：-“Periodicalsandnovelsaretoallinthis，generation，butmoreespeciallytothosewhosemindsarestill，unformedandintheprocessofformation，anewandmoreeffectual，substitutefortheplaguesofEgypt，verminthatcorruptthe，wholesomewatersandinfestourchambers。”
Asarestfromtoilandarelaxationfromgraverpursuits，the，perusalofawell-writtenstory，byawriterofgenius，isahigh，intellectualpleasure;anditisadescriptionofliteratureto，whichallclassesofreaders，oldandyoung，areattractedasbya，powerfulinstinct;norwouldwehaveanyofthemdebarredfromits，enjoymentinareasonabledegree。Buttomakeittheexclusive，literarydiet，assomedo，-todevourthegarbagewithwhichthe，shelvesofcirculatinglibrariesarefilled，-andtooccupythe，greaterportionoftheleisurehoursinstudyingthepreposterous，picturesofhumanlifewhichsomanyofthempresent，isworsethan，wasteoftime：，itispositivelypernicious。Thehabitualnovel-
readerindulgesinfictitiousfeelingssomuch，thatthereisgreat，riskofsoundandhealthyfeelingbecomingpervertedorbenumbed。
“Inevergotohearatragedy，“saidagaymanoncetothe，ArchbishopofYork，“itwearsmyheartout。”，Theliterarypity，evokedbyfictionleadstonocorrespondingaction;the，susceptibilitieswhichitexcitesinvolveneitherinconveniencenor，self-sacrifice;sothattheheartthatistouchedtoooftenbythe，fictionmayatlengthbecomeinsensibletothereality。Thesteel，isgraduallyrubbedoutofthecharacter，anditinsensiblyloses，itsvitalspring。”Drawingfinepicturesofvirtueinone’smind，“
saidBishopButler，“issofarfromnecessarilyorcertainly，conducivetoformaHABITofitinhimwhothusemployshimself，thatitmayevenhardenthemindinacontrarycourse，andrender，itgraduallymoreinsensible。”
Amusementinmoderationiswholesome，andtobecommended;but，amusementinexcessvitiatesthewholenature，andisathingtobe，carefullyguardedagainst。Themaximisoftenquotedof“Allwork，andnoplaymakesJackadullboy;“butallplayandnoworkmakes，himsomethinggreatlyworse。Nothingcanbemorehurtfultoa，youththantohavehissoulsoddenwithpleasure。Thebest，qualitiesofhismindareimpaired;commonenjoymentsbecome，tasteless;hisappetiteforthehigherkindofpleasuresis，vitiated;andwhenhecomestofacetheworkandthedutiesof，life，theresultisusuallyaversionanddisgust。”Fast“menwaste，andexhaustthepowersoflife，anddryupthesourcesoftrue，happiness。Havingforestalledtheirspring，theycanproduceno，healthygrowthofeithercharacterorintellect。Achildwithout，simplicity，amaidenwithoutinnocence，aboywithouttruthfulness，arenotmorepiteoussightsthanthemanwhohaswastedandthrown，awayhisyouthinself-indulgence。Mirabeausaidofhimself，“My，earlyyearshavealreadyinagreatmeasuredisinheritedthe，succeedingones，anddissipatedagreatpartofmyvitalpowers。”
Asthewrongdonetoanotherto-dayreturnsuponourselvesto-
morrow，sothesinsofouryouthriseupinouragetoscourgeus。
WhenLordBaconsaysthat“strengthofnatureinyouthpassethover，manyexcesseswhichareowingamanuntilheisold，“heexposesa，physicalaswellasamoralfactwhichcannotbetoowellweighed，intheconductoflife。”Iassureyou，“wroteGiustitheItalian，toafriend，“Ipayaheavypriceforexistence。Itistruethat，ourlivesarenotatourowndisposal。Naturepretendstogive，themgratisatthebeginning，andthensendsinheraccount。”，The，worstofyouthfulindiscretionsis，notthattheydestroyhealth，somuchasthattheysullymanhood。Thedissipatedyouthbecomesa，taintedman;andoftenhecannotbepure，evenifhewould。If，curetherebe，itisonlytobefoundininoculatingthemindwith，aferventspiritofduty，andinenergeticapplicationtouseful，work。
OneofthemostgiftedofFrenchmen，inpointofgreatintellectual，endowments，wasBenjaminConstant;but，BLASEattwenty，hislife，wasonlyaprolongedwail，insteadofaharvestofthegreatdeeds，whichhewascapableofaccomplishingwithordinarydiligenceand，self-control。Heresolvedupondoingsomanythings，whichhe，neverdid，thatpeoplecametospeakofhimasConstantthe，Inconstant。Hewasafluentandbrilliantwriter，andcherished，theambitionofwritingworks，“whichtheworldwouldnotwillingly，letdie。”，ButwhilstConstantaffectedthehighestthinking，unhappilyhepractisedthelowestliving;nordidthe，transcendentalismofhisbooksatoneforthemeannessofhislife。
Hefrequentedthegaming-tableswhileengagedinpreparinghiswork，uponreligion，andcarriedonadisreputableintriguewhilewriting，his’Adolphe。’，Withallhispowersofintellect，hewaspowerless，becausehehadnofaithinvirtue。”Bah！”saidhe，“whatare，honouranddignity？，ThelongerIlive，themoreclearlyIsee，thereisnothinginthem。”，Itwasthehowlofamiserableman。He，describedhimselfasbut“ashesanddust。”，“Ipass，“saidhe，“likeashadowovertheearth，accompaniedbymiseryandENNUI。”
HewishedforVoltaire’senergy，whichhewouldratherhave，possessedthanhisgenius。Buthehadnostrengthofpurpose-
nothingbutwishes：，hislife，prematurelyexhausted，hadbecome，butaheapofbrokenlinks。Hespokeofhimselfasapersonwith，onefootintheair。Headmittedthathehadnoprinciples，andno，moralconsistency。Hence，withhissplendidtalents，hecontrived，todonothing;and，afterlivingmanyyearsmiserable，hediedworn，outandwretched。
ThecareerofAugustinThierry，theauthorofthe’Historyofthe，NormanConquest，’affordsanadmirablecontrasttothatof，Constant。Hisentirelifepresentedastrikingexampleof，perseverance，diligence，selfculture，anduntiringdevotionto，knowledge。Inthepursuithelosthiseyesight，losthishealth，butneverlosthisloveoftruth。Whensofeeblethathewas，carriedfromroomtoroom，likeahelplessinfant，inthearmsofa，nurse，hisbravespiritneverfailedhim;andblindandhelpless，thoughhewas，heconcludedhisliterarycareerinthefollowing，noblewords：-“If，asIthink，theinterestofscienceiscounted，inthenumberofgreatnationalinterests，Ihavegivenmycountry，allthatthesoldier，mutilatedonthefieldofbattle，givesher。
Whatevermaybethefateofmylabours，thisexample，Ihope，will，notbelost。Iwouldwishittoservetocombatthespeciesof，moralweaknesswhichisTHEDISEASEofourpresentgeneration;to，bringbackintothestraightroadoflifesomeofthoseenervated，soulsthatcomplainofwantingfaith，thatknownotwhattodo，and，seekeverywhere，withoutfindingit，anobjectofworshipand，admiration。Whysay，withsomuchbitterness，thatintheworld，constitutedasitis，thereisnoairforalllungs-noemployment，forallminds？，Isnotcalmandseriousstudythere？andisnot，thatarefuge，ahope，afieldwithinthereachofallofus？，With，it，evildaysarepassedoverwithouttheirweightbeingfelt。
Everyonecanmakehisowndestiny-everyoneemployhislife，nobly。ThisiswhatIhavedone，andwoulddoagainifIhadto，recommencemycareer;Iwouldchoosethatwhichhasbroughtme，whereIam。Blind，andsufferingwithouthope，andalmostwithout，intermission，Imaygivethistestimony，whichfrommewillnot，appearsuspicious。Thereissomethingintheworldbetterthan，sensualenjoyments，betterthanfortune，betterthanhealthitself，-itisdevotiontoknowledge。”
Coleridge，inmanyrespects，resembledConstant。Hepossessed，equallybrilliantpowers，butwassimilarlyinfirmofpurpose。
Withallhisgreatintellectualgifts，hewantedthegiftof，industry，andwasaversetocontinuouslabour。Hewantedalsothe，senseofindependence，andthoughtitnodegradationtoleavehis，wifeandchildrentobemaintainedbythebrain-workofthenoble，Southey，whilehehimselfretiredtoHighgateGrovetodiscourse，transcendentalismtohisdisciples，lookingdowncontemptuously，uponthehonestworkgoingforwardbeneathhimamidstthedinand，smokeofLondon。Withremunerativeemploymentathiscommandhe，stoopedtoacceptthecharityoffriends;and，notwithstandinghis，loftyideasofphilosophy，hecondescendedtohumiliationsfrom，whichmanyaday-labourerwouldhaveshrunk。Howdifferentin，spiritwasSouthey！labouringnotmerelyatworkofhisownchoice，andattaskworkoftentediousanddistasteful，butalso，unremittinglyandwiththeutmosteagernessseekingandstoring，knowledgepurelyfortheloveofit。Everyday，everyhourhadits，allottedemployment：，engagementstopublishersrequiringpunctual，fulfilment;thecurrentexpensesofalargehouseholddutyto，provide：，forSoutheyhadnocropgrowingwhilehispenwasidle。
“Myways，“heusedtosay，“areasbroadastheking’shigh-road，andmymeanslieinaninkstand。”
RobertNicollwrotetoafriend，afterreadingthe’Recollections，ofColeridge，’“Whatamightyintellectwaslostinthatmanfor，wantofalittleenergy-alittledetermination！”Nicollhimself，wasatrueandbravespirit，whodiedyoung，butnotbeforehehad，encounteredandovercomegreatdifficultiesinlife。Athis，outset，whilecarryingonasmallbusinessasabookseller，he，foundhimselfweigheddownwithadebtofonlytwentypounds，which，hesaidhefelt“weighinglikeamillstoneroundhisneck，“and，that，“ifhehaditpaidheneverwouldborrowagainfrommortal，man。”，Writingtohismotheratthetimehesaid，“Fearnotforme，dearmother，forIfeelmyselfdailygrowingfirmerandmore，hopefulinspirit。ThemoreIthinkandreflect-andthinking，notreading，isnowmyoccupation-Ifeelthat，whetherIbe，growingricherornot，Iamgrowingawiserman，whichisfar，better。Pain，poverty，andalltheotherwildbeastsoflifewhich，soaffrightenothers，IamsoboldastothinkIcouldlookinthe，facewithoutshrinking，withoutlosingrespectformyself，faithin，man’shighdestinies，ortrustinGod。Thereisapointwhichit，costsmuchmentaltoilandstrugglingtogain，butwhich，whenonce，gained，amancanlookdownfrom，asatravellerfromalofty，mountain，onstormsragingbelow，whileheiswalkinginsunshine。
ThatIhaveyetgainedthispointinlifeIwillnotsay，butI
feelmyselfdailynearertoit。”
Itisnotease，buteffort-notfacility，butdifficulty，that，makesmen。Thereis，perhaps，nostationinlife，inwhich，difficultieshavenottobeencounteredandovercomebeforeany，decidedmeasureofsuccesscanbeachieved。Thosedifficulties，are，however，ourbestinstructors，asourmistakesoftenformour，bestexperience。CharlesJamesFoxwasaccustomedtosaythathe，hopedmorefromamanwhofailed，andyetwentoninspiteofhis，failure，thanfromthebuoyantcareerofthesuccessful。”Itis，allverywell，“saidhe，“totellmethatayoungmanhas，distinguishedhimselfbyabrilliantfirstspeech。Hemaygoon，orhemaybesatisfiedwithhisfirsttriumph;butshowmeayoung，manwhohasNOTsucceededatfirst，andneverthelesshasgoneon，andIwillbackthatyoungmantodobetterthanmostofthosewho，havesucceededatthefirsttrial。”
Welearnwisdomfromfailuremuchmorethanfromsuccess。Weoften，discoverwhatWILLdo，byfindingoutwhatwillnotdo;and，probablyhewhonevermadeamistakenevermadeadiscovery。It，wasthefailureintheattempttomakeasucking-pumpact，whenthe，workingbucketwasmorethanthirty-threefeetabovethesurfaceof，thewatertoberaised，thatledobservantmentostudythelawof，atmosphericpressure，andopenedanewfieldofresearchtothe，geniusofGalileo，Torrecelli，andBoyle。JohnHunterusedto，remarkthattheartofsurgerywouldnotadvanceuntilprofessional，menhadthecouragetopublishtheirfailuresaswellastheir，successes。Watttheengineersaid，ofallthingsmostwantedin，mechanicalengineeringwasahistoryoffailures：，“Wewant，“he，said，“abookofblots。”，WhenSirHumphryDavywasonceshowna，dexterouslymanipulatedexperiment，hesaid-“IthankGodIwas，notmadeadexterousmanipulator，forthemostimportantofmy，discoverieshavebeensuggestedtomebyfailures。”，Another，distinguishedinvestigatorinphysicalsciencehasleftiton，recordthat，wheneverinthecourseofhisresearcheshe，encounteredanapparentlyinsuperableobstacle，hegenerallyfound，himselfonthebrinkofsomediscovery。Theverygreatestthings-
greatthoughts，discoveries，inventions-haveusuallybeen，nurturedinhardship，oftenponderedoverinsorrow，andatlength，establishedwithdifficulty。
BeethovensaidofRossini，thathehadinhimthestufftohave，madeagoodmusicianifhehadonly，whenaboy，beenwellflogged;
butthathehadbeenspoiltbythefacilitywithwhichheproduced。
Menwhofeeltheirstrengthwithinthemneednotfeartoencounter，adverseopinions;theyhavefargreaterreasontofearunduepraise，andtoofriendlycriticism。WhenMendelssohnwasabouttoenter，theorchestraatBirmingham，onthefirstperformanceofhis，’Elijah，’hesaidlaughinglytooneofhisfriendsandcritics，“Stickyourclawsintome！，Don’ttellmewhatyoulike，butwhat，youdon’tlike！”
Ithasbeensaid，andtruly，thatitisthedefeatthattriesthe，generalmorethanthevictory。Washingtonlostmorebattlesthan，hegained;buthesucceededintheend。TheRomans，intheirmost，victoriouscampaigns，almostinvariablybeganwithdefeats。Moreau，usedtobecomparedbyhiscompanionstoadrum，whichnobodyhears，ofexceptitbebeaten。Wellington’smilitarygeniuswasperfected，byencounterwithdifficultiesofapparentlythemostoverwhelming，character，butwhichonlyservedtonervehisresolution，andbring，outmoreprominentlyhisgreatqualitiesasamanandageneral。
Sotheskilfulmarinerobtainshisbestexperienceamidststorms，andtempests，whichtrainhimtoself-reliance，courage，andthe，highestdiscipline;andweprobablyowntoroughseasandwintry，nightsthebesttrainingofourraceofBritishseamen，whoare，certainly，notsurpassedbyanyintheworld。
Necessitymaybeahardschoolmistress，butsheisgenerallyfound，thebest。Thoughtheordealofadversityisonefromwhichwe，naturallyshrink，yet，whenitcomes，wemustbravelyandmanfully，encounterit。Burnssaystruly，“Thoughlossesandcrosses，Belessonsrightsevere，There’switthere，you’llgetthere，You’llfindnootherwhere。”
“Sweetindeedaretheusesofadversity。”，Theyrevealtousour，powers，andcallforthourenergies。Ifthereberealworthinthe，character，likesweetherbs，itwillgiveforthitsfinest，fragrancewhenpressed。”Crosses，“saystheoldproverb，“arethe，laddersthatleadtoheaven。”，“Whatisevenpovertyitself，“asks，Richter，“thatamanshouldmurmurunderit？，Itisbutasthepain，ofpiercingamaiden’sear，andyouhangpreciousjewelsinthe，wound。”，Intheexperienceoflifeitisfoundthatthewholesome，disciplineofadversityinstrongnaturesusuallycarrieswithita，self-preservinginfluence。Manyarefoundcapableofbravely，bearingupunderprivations，andcheerfullyencountering，obstructions，whoareafterwardsfoundunabletowithstandthemore，dangerousinfluencesofprosperity。Itisonlyaweakmanwhomthe，winddeprivesofhiscloak：，amanofaveragestrengthismorein，dangeroflosingitwhenassailedbythebeamsofatoogenialsun。
Thusitoftenneedsahigherdisciplineandastrongercharacterto，bearupundergoodfortunethanunderadverse。Somegenerous，natureskindleandwarmwithprosperity，buttherearemanyonwhom，wealthhasnosuchinfluence。Baseheartsitonlyhardens，making，thosewhoweremeanandservile，meanandproud。Butwhile，prosperityisapttohardenthehearttopride，adversityinaman，ofresolutionwillservetoripenitintofortitude。Tousethe，wordsofBurke，“Difficultyisasevereinstructor，setoverusby，thesupremeordinanceofaparentalguardianandinstructor，who，knowsusbetterthanweknowourselves，asHelovesusbettertoo。
Hethatwrestleswithusstrengthensournerves，andsharpensour，skill：，ourantagonististhusourhelper。”，Withoutthenecessity，ofencounteringdifficulty，lifemightbeeasier，butmenwouldbe，worthless。Fortrials，wiselyimproved，trainthecharacter，and，teachself-help;thushardshipitselfmayoftenprovethe，wholesomestdisciplineforus，thoughwerecogniseitnot。When，thegallantyoungHodson，unjustlyremovedfromhisIndiancommand，felthimselfsorepresseddownbyunmeritedcalumnyandreproach，heyetpreservedthecouragetosaytoafriend，“Istrivetolook，theworstboldlyintheface，asIwouldanenemyinthefield，and，todomyappointedworkresolutelyandtothebestofmyability，satisfiedthatthereisareasonforall;andthatevenirksome，dutieswelldonebringtheirownreward，andthat，ifnot，still，theyAREduties。”
Thebattleoflifeis，inmostcases，foughtup-hill;andtowinit，withoutastrugglewereperhapstowinitwithouthonour。Ifthere，werenodifficultiestherewouldbenosuccess;iftherewere，nothingtostrugglefor，therewouldbenothingtobeachieved。
Difficultiesmayintimidatetheweak，buttheyactonlyasa，wholesomestimulustomenofresolutionandvalour。Allexperience，oflifeindeedservestoprovethattheimpedimentsthrowninthe，wayofhumanadvancementmayforthemostpartbeovercomeby，steadygoodconduct，honestzeal，activity，perseverance，andabove，allbyadeterminedresolutiontosurmountdifficulties，andstand，upmanfullyagainstmisfortune。
TheschoolofDifficultyisthebestschoolofmoraldiscipline，fornationsasforindividuals。Indeed，thehistoryofdifficulty，wouldbebutahistoryofallthegreatandgoodthingsthathave，yetbeenaccomplishedbymen。Itishardtosayhowmuchnorthern，nationsowetotheirencounterwithacomparativelyrudeand，changeableclimateandanoriginallysterilesoil，whichisoneof，thenecessitiesoftheircondition，-involvingaperennial，strugglewithdifficultiessuchasthenativesofsunnierclimes，knownothingof。Andthusitmaybe，thatthoughourfinest，productsareexotic，theskillandindustrywhichhavebeen，necessarytorearthem，haveissuedintheproductionofanative，growthofmennotsurpassedontheglobe。
Whereverthereisdifficulty，theindividualmanmustcomeoutfor，betterforworse。Encounterwithitwilltrainhisstrength，and，disciplinehisskill;hearteninghimforfutureeffort，asthe，racer，bybeingtrainedtorunagainstthehill，atlengthcourses，withfacility。Theroadtosuccessmaybesteeptoclimb，andit，putstotheprooftheenergiesofhimwhowouldreachthesummit。
Butbyexperienceamansoonlearnsthatobstaclesaretobe，overcomebygrapplingwiththem，-thatthenettlefeelsassoftas，silkwhenitisboldlygrasped，-andthatthemosteffectivehelp，towardsrealizingtheobjectproposedisthemoralconvictionthat，wecanandwillaccomplishit。Thusdifficultiesoftenfallaway，ofthemselvesbeforethedeterminationtoovercomethem。
Muchwillbedoneifwedobuttry。Nobodyknowswhathecando，tillhehastried;andfewtrytheirbesttilltheyhavebeen，forcedtodoit。”IFIcoulddosuchandsuchathing，“sighsthe，despondingyouth。Butnothingwillbedoneifheonlywishes。The，desiremustripenintopurposeandeffort;andoneenergetic，attemptisworthathousandaspirations。Itisthesethorny“ifs“-
themutteringsofimpotenceanddespair-whichsooftenhedge，roundthefieldofpossibility，andpreventanythingbeingdoneor，evenattempted。”Adifficulty，“saidLordLyndhurst，“isathing，tobeovercome;“grapplewithitatonce;facilitywillcomewith，practice，andstrengthandfortitudewithrepeatedeffort。Thus，themindandcharactermaybetrainedtoanalmostperfect，discipline，andenabledtoactwithagrace，spirit，andliberty，almostincomprehensibletothosewhohavenotpassedthrougha，similarexperience。
Everythingthatwelearnisthemasteryofadifficulty;andthe，masteryofonehelpstothemasteryofothers。Thingswhichmayat，firstsightappearcomparativelyvaluelessineducation-suchas，thestudyofthedeadlanguages，andtherelationsoflinesand，surfaceswhichwecallmathematics-arereallyofthegreatest，practicalvalue，notsomuchbecauseoftheinformationwhichthey，yield，asbecauseofthedevelopmentwhichtheycompel。The，masteryofthesestudiesevokeseffort，andcultivatespowersof，application，whichotherwisemighthavelaindormant，Thusone，thingleadstoanother，andsotheworkgoesonthroughlife-
encounterwithdifficultyendingonlywhenlifeandcultureend。
Butindulginginthefeelingofdiscouragementneverhelpedanyone，overadifficulty，andneverwill。D’Alembert’sadvicetothe，studentwhocomplainedtohimabouthiswantofsuccessin，masteringthefirstelementsofmathematicswastherightone-“Go，on，sir，andfaithandstrengthwillcometoyou。”
Thedanseusewhoturnsapirouette，theviolinistwhoplaysa，sonata，haveacquiredtheirdexteritybypatientrepetitionand，aftermanyfailures。Carissimi，whenpraisedfortheeaseand，graceofhismelodies，exclaimed，“Ah！youlittleknowwithwhat，difficultythiseasehasbeenacquired。”，SirJoshuaReynolds，when，onceaskedhowlongithadtakenhimtopaintacertainpicture，replied，“Allmylife。”，HenryClay，theAmericanorator，when，givingadvicetoyoungmen，thusdescribedtothemthesecretof，hissuccessinthecultivationofhisart：，“Iowemysuccessin，life，“saidhe，“chieflytoonecircumstance-thatattheageof，twenty-sevenIcommenced，andcontinuedforyears，theprocessof，dailyreadingandspeakinguponthecontentsofsomehistoricalor，scientificbook。Theseoff-handeffortsweremade，sometimesina，cornfield，atothersintheforest，andnotunfrequentlyinsome，distantbarn，withthehorseandtheoxformyauditors。Itisto，thisearlypracticeoftheartofallartsthatIamindebtedfor，theprimaryandleadingimpulsesthatstimulatedmeonwardandhave，shapedandmouldedmywholesubsequentdestiny。”
Curran，theIrishorator，whenayouth，hadastrongdefectinhis，articulation，andatschoolhewasknownas“stutteringJack，Curran。”，Whilehewasengagedinthestudyofthelaw，andstill，strugglingtoovercomehisdefect，hewasstungintoeloquenceby，thesarcasmsofamemberofadebatingclub，whocharacterisedhim，as“OratorMum;“for，likeCowper，whenhestooduptospeakona，previousoccasion，Curranhadnotbeenabletoutteraword。The，tauntstunghimandherepliedinatriumphantspeech。This，accidentaldiscoveryinhimselfofthegiftofeloquenceencouraged，himtoproceedinhisstudieswithrenewedenergy。Hecorrected，hisenunciationbyreadingaloud，emphaticallyanddistinctly，the，bestpassagesinliterature，forseveralhourseveryday，studying，hisfeaturesbeforeamirror，andadoptingamethodof，gesticulationsuitedtohisratherawkwardandungracefulfigure。
Healsoproposedcasestohimself，whichhearguedwithasmuch，careasifhehadbeenaddressingajury。Curranbeganbusiness，withthequalificationwhichLordEldonstatedtobethefirst，requisitefordistinction，thatis，“tobenotworthashilling。”
Whileworkinghiswaylaboriouslyatthebar，stilloppressedby，thediffidencewhichhadovercomehiminhisdebatingclub，hewas，ononeoccasionprovokedbytheJudge(Robinson)intomakingavery，severeretort。Inthecaseunderdiscussion，Curranobserved“that，hehadnevermetthelawaslaiddownbyhislordshipinanybook，inhislibrary。”，“Thatmaybe，sir，“saidthejudge，ina，contemptuoustone，“butIsuspectthatYOURlibraryisverysmall。”
Hislordshipwasnotoriouslyafuriouspoliticalpartisan，the，authorofseveralanonymouspamphletscharacterisedbyunusual，violenceanddogmatism。Curran，rousedbytheallusiontohis，straitenedcircumstances，repliedthus;“Itisverytrue，mylord，thatIampoor，andthecircumstancehascertainlycurtailedmy，library;mybooksarenotnumerous，buttheyareselect，andIhope，theyhavebeenperusedwithproperdispositions。Ihaveprepared，myselfforthishighprofessionbythestudyofafewgoodworks，ratherthanbythecompositionofagreatmanybadones。Iamnot，ashamedofmypoverty;butIshouldbeashamedofmywealth，could，Ihavestoopedtoacquireitbyservilityandcorruption。IfI
risenottorank，Ishallatleastbehonest;andshouldIever，ceasetobeso，manyanexampleshowsmethatanill-gained，elevation，bymakingmethemoreconspicuous，wouldonlymakeme，themoreuniversallyandthemorenotoriouslycontemptible。”
Theextremestpovertyhasbeennoobstacleinthewayofmen，devotedtothedutyofself-culture。ProfessorAlexanderMurray，thelinguist，learnttowritebyscribblinghislettersonanold，wool-cardwiththeendofaburntheatherstem。Theonlybook，whichhisfather，whowasapoorshepherd，possessed，wasapenny，ShorterCatechism;butthat，beingthoughttoovaluableforcommon，use，wascarefullypreservedinacupboardfortheSunday，catechisings。ProfessorMoor，whenayoungman，beingtoopoorto，purchaseNewton’s’Principia，’borrowedthebook，andcopiedthe，wholeofitwithhisownhand。Manypoorstudents，whilelabouring，dailyfortheirliving，haveonlybeenabletosnatchanatomof，knowledgehereandthereatintervals，asbirdsdotheirfoodin，wintertimewhenthefieldsarecoveredwithsnow。Theyhave，struggledon，andfaithandhopehavecometothem。Awell-known，authorandpublisher，WilliamChambers，ofEdinburgh，speaking，beforeanassemblageofyoungmeninthatcity，thusbriefly，describedtothemhishumblebeginnings，fortheirencouragement：
“Istandbeforeyou，“hesaid，“aself-educatedman。Myeducation，wasthatwhichissuppliedatthehumbleparishschoolsof，Scotland;anditwasonlywhenIwenttoEdinburgh，apoorboy，thatIdevotedmyevenings，afterthelaboursoftheday，tothe，cultivationofthatintellectwhichtheAlmightyhasgivenme。
FromsevenoreightinthemorningtillnineortenatnightwasI
atmybusinessasabookseller’sapprentice，anditwasonlyduring，hoursafterthese，stolenfromsleep，thatIcoulddevotemyselfto，study。Ididnotreadnovels：，myattentionwasdevotedto，physicalscience，andotherusefulmatters。Ialsotaughtmyself，French。Ilookbacktothosetimeswithgreatpleasure，andam，almostsorryIhavenottogothroughthesameexperienceagain;
forIreapedmorepleasurewhenIhadnotasixpenceinmypocket，studyinginagarretinEdinburgh，thenInowfindwhensitting，amidstalltheeleganciesandcomfortsofaparlour。”
WilliamCobbett’saccountofhowhelearntEnglishGrammarisfull，ofinterestandinstructionforallstudentslabouringunder，difficulties。”Ilearnedgrammar，“saidhe，“whenIwasaprivate，soldieronthepayofsixpenceaday。Theedgeofmyberth，or，thatofmyguard-bed，wasmyseattostudyin;myknapsackwasmy，book-case;abitofboardlyingonmylapwasmywriting-table;and，thetaskdidnotdemandanythinglikeayearofmylife。Ihadno，moneytopurchasecandleoroil;inwintertimeitwasrarelythat，Icouldgetanyeveninglightbutthatofthefire，andonlymy，turnevenofthat。AndifI，undersuchcircumstances，andwithout，parentorfriendtoadviseorencourageme，accomplishedthis，undertaking，whatexcusecantherebeforanyyouth，howeverpoor，howeverpressedwithbusiness，orhowevercircumstancedastoroom，orotherconveniences？，TobuyapenorasheetofpaperIwas，compelledtoforegosomeportionoffood，thoughinastateof，half-starvation：，IhadnomomentoftimethatIcouldcallmyown;
andIhadtoreadandtowriteamidstthetalking，laughing，singing，whistling，andbrawlingofatleasthalfascoreofthe，mostthoughtlessofmen，andthat，too，inthehoursoftheir，freedomfromallcontrol。ThinknotlightlyofthefarthingthatI
hadtogive，nowandthen，forink，pen，orpaper！，Thatfarthing，was，alas！agreatsumtome！，IwasastallasIamnow;Ihad，greathealthandgreatexercise。Thewholeofthemoney，not，expendedforusatmarket，wastwo-penceaweekforeachman。I
remember，andwellImay！thatononeoccasionI，afterall，necessaryexpenses，had，onaFriday，madeshiftstohavea，halfpennyinreserve，whichIhaddestinedforthepurchaseofa，redherringinthemorning;but，whenIpulledoffmyclothesat，night，sohungrythenastobehardlyabletoendurelife，Ifound，thatIhadlostmyhalfpenny！，Iburiedmyheadunderthemiserable，sheetandrug，andcriedlikeachild！，AndagainIsay，if，I，undercircumstanceslikethese，couldencounterandovercomethis，task，isthere，cantherebe，inthewholeworld，ayouthtofind，anexcuseforthenon-performance？”
Wehavebeeninformedofanequallystrikinginstanceof，perseveranceandapplicationinlearningonthepartofaFrench，politicalexileinLondon。Hisoriginaloccupationwasthatofa，stonemason，atwhichhefoundemploymentforsometime;butwork，becomingslack，helosthisplace，andpovertystaredhiminthe，face。Inhisdilemmahecalleduponafellowexileprofitably，engagedinteachingFrench，andconsultedhimwhatheoughttodo，toearnaliving。Theanswerwas，“Becomeaprofessor！”“A
professor？”answeredthemason-“I，whoamonlyaworkman，speakingbutapatois！，Surelyyouarejesting？”“Onthecontrary，Iamquiteserious，“saidtheother，“andagainIadviseyou-
becomeaprofessor;placeyourselfunderme，andIwillundertake，toteachyouhowtoteachothers。”，“No，no！”repliedthemason，“itisimpossible;Iamtoooldtolearn;Iamtoolittleofa，scholar;Icannotbeaprofessor。”，Hewentaway，andagainhe，triedtoobtainemploymentathistrade。FromLondonhewentinto，theprovinces，andtravelledseveralhundredmilesinvain;he，couldnotfindamaster。ReturningtoLondon，hewentdirectto，hisformeradviser，andsaid，“Ihavetriedeverywhereforwork，andfailed;Iwillnowtrytobeaprofessor！”Heimmediately，placedhimselfunderinstruction;andbeingamanofclose，application，ofquickapprehension，andvigorousintelligence，he，speedilymasteredtheelementsofgrammar，therulesof，constructionandcomposition，and(whathehadstillinagreat，measuretolearn)thecorrectpronunciationofclassicalFrench。
Whenhisfriendandinstructorthoughthimsufficientlycompetent，toundertaketheteachingofothers，anappointment，advertisedas，vacant，wasappliedforandobtained;andbeholdourartisanat，lengthbecomeprofessor！，Itsohappened，thattheseminaryto，whichhewasappointedwassituatedinasuburbofLondonwherehe，hadformerlyworkedasastonemason;andeverymorningthefirst，thingwhichmethiseyesonlookingoutofhisdressing-roomwindow，wasastackofcottagechimneyswhichhehadhimselfbuilt！，He，fearedforatimelestheshouldberecognisedinthevillageas，thequondamworkman，andthusbringdiscreditonhisseminary，whichwasofhighstanding。Butheneedhavebeenundernosuch，apprehension，asheprovedamostefficientteacher，andhispupils，wereonmorethanoneoccasionpubliclycomplimentedfortheir，knowledgeofFrench。Meanwhile，hesecuredtherespectand，friendshipofallwhoknewhim-fellow-professorsaswellas，pupils;andwhenthestoryofhisstruggles，hisdifficulties，and，hispasthistory，becameknowntothem，theyadmiredhimmorethan，ever。
SirSamuelRomillywasnotlessindefatigableasaself-cultivator。
Thesonofajeweller，descendedfromaFrenchrefugee，hereceived，littleeducationinhisearlyyears，butovercameallhis，disadvantagesbyunweariedapplication，andbyeffortsconstantly，directedtowardsthesameend。”Idetermined，“hesays，inhis，autobiography，“whenIwasbetweenfifteenandsixteenyearsof，age，toapplymyselfseriouslytolearningLatin，ofwhichI，at，thattime，knewlittlemorethansomeofthemostfamiliarrulesof，grammar。Inthecourseofthreeorfouryears，duringwhichIthus，appliedmyself，Ihadreadalmosteveryprosewriteroftheageof，pureLatinity，exceptthosewhohavetreatedmerelyoftechnical，subjects，suchasVarro，Columella，andCelsus。Ihadgonethree，timesthroughthewholeofLivy，Sallust，andTacitus。Ihad，studiedthemostcelebratedorationsofCicero，andtranslateda，greatdealofHomer。Terence，Virgil，Horace，Ovid，andJuvenal，I
hadreadoverandoveragain。”，Healsostudiedgeography，natural，history，andnaturalphilosophy，andobtainedaconsiderable，acquaintancewithgeneralknowledge。Atsixteenhewasarticledto，aclerkinChancery;workedhard;wasadmittedtothebar;andhis，industryandperseveranceensuredsuccess。HebecameSolicitor-
GeneralundertheFoxadministrationin1806，andsteadilyworked，hiswaytothehighestcelebrityinhisprofession。Yethewas，alwayshauntedbyapainfulandalmostoppressivesenseofhisown，disqualifications，andneverceasedlabouringtoremedythem。His，autobiographyisalessonofinstructivefacts，worthvolumesof，sentiment，andwelldeservesacarefulperusal。
SirWalterScottwasaccustomedtocitethecaseofhisyoung，friendJohnLeydenasoneofthemostremarkableillustrationsof，thepowerofperseverancewhichhehadeverknown。Thesonofa，shepherdinoneofthewildestvalleysofRoxburghshire，hewas，almostentirelyselfeducated。LikemanyScotchshepherds’sons-
likeHogg，whotaughthimselftowritebycopyingthelettersofa，printedbookashelaywatchinghisflockonthehill-side-like，Cairns，whofromtendingsheepontheLammermoors，raisedhimself，bydintofapplicationandindustrytotheprofessor’schairwhich，henowsoworthilyholds-likeMurray，Ferguson，andmanymore，Leydenwasearlyinspiredbyathirstforknowledge。Whenapoor，barefootedboy，hewalkedsixoreightmilesacrossthemoorsdaily，tolearnreadingatthelittlevillageschoolhouseofKirkton;and，thiswasalltheeducationhereceived;therestheacquiredfor，himself。HefoundhiswaytoEdinburghtoattendthecollege，there，settingtheextremestpenuryatdefiance。Hewasfirst，discoveredasafrequenterofasmallbookseller’sshopkeptby，ArchibaldConstable，afterwardssowellknownasapublisher。He，wouldpasshourafterhourperchedonaladderinmid-air，with，somegreatfolioinhishand，forgetfulofthescantymealofbread，andwaterwhichawaitedhimathismiserablelodging。Accessto，booksandlecturescomprisedallwithintheboundsofhiswishes。
Thushetoiledandbattledatthegatesofscienceuntilhis，unconquerableperseverancecarriedeverythingbeforeit。Beforehe，hadattainedhisnineteenthyearhehadastonishedallthe，professorsinEdinburghbyhisprofoundknowledgeofGreekand，Latin，andthegeneralmassofinformationhehadacquired。Having，turnedhisviewstoIndia，hesoughtemploymentinthecivil，service，butfailed。Hewashoweverinformedthatasurgeon’s，assistant’scommissionwasopentohim。Buthewasnosurgeon，and，knewnomoreoftheprofessionthanachild。Hecouldhowever，learn。Thenhewastoldthathemustbereadytopassinsix，months！，Nothingdaunted，hesettowork，toacquireinsixmonths，whatusuallyrequiredthreeyears。Attheendofsixmonthshe，tookhisdegreewithhonour。Scottandafewfriendshelpedtofit，himout;andhesailedforIndia，afterpublishinghisbeautiful，poem’TheScenesofInfancy。’，InIndiahepromisedtobecomeone，ofthegreatestoforientalscholars，butwasunhappilycutoffby，fevercaughtbyexposure，anddiedatanearlyage。
ThelifeofthelateDr。Lee，ProfessorofHebrewatCambridge，furnishesoneofthemostremarkableinstancesinmoderntimesof，thepowerofpatientperseveranceandresolutepurposeinworking，outanhonourablecareerinliterature。Hereceivedhiseducation，atacharityschoolatLognor，nearShrewsbury，butsolittle，distinguishedhimselfthere，thathismasterpronouncedhimoneof，thedullestboysthateverpassedthroughhishands。Hewasput，apprenticetoacarpenter，andworkedatthattradeuntilhe，arrivedatmanhood。Tooccupyhisleisurehourshetookto，reading;and，someofthebookscontainingLatinquotations，he，becamedesirousofascertainingwhattheymeant。HeboughtaLatin，grammar，andproceededtolearnLatin。AsStone，theDukeof，Argyle’sgardener，said，longbefore，“Doesoneneedtoknow，anythingmorethanthetwenty-fourlettersinordertolearn，everythingelsethatonewishes？”Leeroseearlyandsatuplate，andhesucceededinmasteringtheLatinbeforehisapprenticeship，wasout。Whilstworkingonedayinsomeplaceofworship，acopy，ofaGreekTestamentfellinhisway，andhewasimmediatelyfilled，withthedesiretolearnthatlanguage。Heaccordinglysoldsome，ofhisLatinbooks，andpurchasedaGreekGrammarandLexicon。
Takingpleasureinlearning，hesoonmasteredthelanguage。Then，hesoldhisGreekbooks，andboughtHebrewones，andlearntthat，language，unassistedbyanyinstructor，withoutanyhopeoffameor，reward，butsimplyfollowingthebentofhisgenius。Henext，proceededtolearntheChaldee，Syriac，andSamaritandialects。
Buthisstudiesbegantotelluponhishealth，andbroughton，diseaseinhiseyesthroughhislongnightwatchingswithhis，books。Havinglaidthemasideforatimeandrecoveredhishealth，hewentonwithhisdailywork。Hischaracterasatradesmanbeing，excellent，hisbusinessimproved，andhismeansenabledhimto，marry，whichhedidwhentwenty-eightyearsold。Hedeterminednow，todevotehimselftothemaintenanceofhisfamily，andtorenounce，theluxuryofliterature;accordinglyhesoldallhisbooks。He，mighthavecontinuedaworkingcarpenterallhislife，hadnotthe，chestoftoolsuponwhichhedependedforsubsistencebeen，destroyedbyfire，anddestitutionstaredhimintheface。Hewas，toopoortobuynewtools，sohebethoughthimofteachingchildren，theirletters，-aprofessionrequiringtheleastpossiblecapital。
Butthoughhehadmasteredmanylanguages，hewassodefectivein，thecommonbranchesofknowledge，thatatfirsthecouldnotteach，them。Resoluteofpurpose，however，heassiduouslysettowork，andtaughthimselfarithmeticandwritingtosuchadegreeastobe，abletoimparttheknowledgeofthesebranchestolittlechildren。
Hisunaffected，simple，andbeautifulcharactergraduallyattracted，friends，andtheacquirementsofthe“learnedcarpenter“became，bruitedabroad。Dr。Scott，aneighbouringclergyman，obtainedfor，himtheappointmentofmasterofacharityschoolinShrewsbury，andintroducedhimtoadistinguishedOrientalscholar。These，friendssuppliedhimwithbooks，andLeesuccessivelymastered，Arabic，Persic，andHindostanee。Hecontinuedtopursuehis，studieswhileondutyasaprivateinthelocalmilitiaofthe，county;graduallyacquiringgreaterproficiencyinlanguages。At，lengthhiskindpatron，Dr。Scott，enabledLeetoenterQueen’s，College，Cambridge;andafteracourseofstudy，inwhichhe，distinguishedhimselfbyhismathematicalacquirements，avacancy，occurringintheprofessorshipofArabicandHebrew，hewas，worthilyelectedtofillthehonourableoffice。Besidesably，performinghisdutiesasaprofessor，hevoluntarilygavemuchof，histimetotheinstructionofmissionariesgoingforthtopreach，theGospeltoeasterntribesintheirowntongue。Healsomade，translationsoftheBibleintoseveralAsiaticdialects;andhaving，masteredtheNewZealandlanguage，hearrangedagrammarand，vocabularyfortwoNewZealandchiefswhoweretheninEngland，whichbooksarenowindailyuseintheNewZealandschools。Such，inbrief，istheremarkablehistoryofDr。SamuelLee;anditis，butthecounterpartofnumeroussimilarlyinstructiveexamplesof，thepowerofperseveranceinself-culture，asdisplayedinthe，livesofmanyofthemostdistinguishedofourliteraryand，scientificmen。
Therearemanyotherillustriousnameswhichmightbecitedto，provethetruthofthecommonsayingthat“itisnevertoolateto，learn。”，Evenatadvancedyearsmencandomuch，iftheywill，determineonmakingabeginning。SirHenrySpelmandidnotbegin，thestudyofscienceuntilhewasbetweenfiftyandsixtyyearsof，age。Franklinwasfiftybeforehefullyentereduponthestudyof，NaturalPhilosophy。DrydenandScottwerenotknownasauthors，untileachwasinhisfortiethyear。Boccacciowasthirty-five，whenhecommencedhisliterarycareer，andAlfieriwasforty-six，whenhebeganthestudyofGreek。Dr。ArnoldlearntGermanatan，advancedage，forthepurposeofreadingNiebuhrintheoriginal;
andinlikemannerJamesWatt，whenaboutforty，whileworkingat，histradeofaninstrumentmakerinGlasgow，learntFrench，German，andItalian，toenablehimselftoperusethevaluableworkson，mechanicalphilosophywhichexistedinthoselanguages。Thomas，Scottwasfifty-sixbeforehebegantolearnHebrew。RobertHall，wasoncefoundlyinguponthefloor，rackedbypain，learning，Italianinhisoldage，toenablehimtojudgeoftheparallel，drawnbyMacaulaybetweenMiltonandDante。Handelwasforty-eight，beforehepublishedanyofhisgreatworks。Indeedhundredsof，instancesmightbegivenofmenwhostruckoutanentirelynew，path，andsuccessfullyenteredonnewstudies，atacomparatively，advancedtimeoflife。Nonebutthefrivolousortheindolentwill，say，“Iamtoooldtolearn。”(31)
Andherewewouldrepeatwhatwehavesaidbefore，thatitisnot，menofgeniuswhomovetheworldandtaketheleadinit，somuch，asmenofsteadfastness，purpose，andindefatigableindustry。
Notwithstandingthemanyundeniableinstancesoftheprecocityof，menofgenius，itisneverthelesstruethatearlyclevernessgives，noindicationoftheheighttowhichthegrownmanwillreach。
Precocityissometimesasymptomofdiseaseratherthanof，intellectualvigour。Whatbecomesofallthe“remarkablyclever，children？”Wherearetheduxesandprizeboys？，Tracethemthrough，life，anditwillfrequentlybefoundthatthedullboys，whowere，beatenatschool，haveshotaheadofthem。Thecleverboysare，rewarded，buttheprizeswhichtheygainbytheirgreaterquickness，andfacilitydonotalwaysproveofusetothem。Whatoughtrather，toberewardedistheendeavour，thestruggle，andtheobedience;
foritistheyouthwhodoeshisbest，thoughendowedwithan，inferiorityofnaturalpowers，thatoughtaboveallotherstobe，encouraged。
Aninterestingchaptermightbewrittenonthesubjectof，illustriousdunces-dullboys，butbrilliantmen。Wehaveroom，however，foronlyafewinstances。PietrodiCortona，thepainter，wasthoughtsostupidthathewasnicknamed“Ass’sHead“whena，boy;andTomasoGuidiwasgenerallyknownas“HeavyTom“(Massaccio，Tomasaccio)，thoughbydiligenceheafterwardsraisedhimselfto，thehighesteminence。Newton，whenatschool，stoodatthebottom，ofthelowestformbutone。TheboyaboveNewtonhavingkicked，him，thedunceshowedhispluckbychallenginghimtoafight，and，beathim。Thenhesettoworkwithawill，anddeterminedalsoto，vanquishhisantagonistasascholar，whichhedid，risingtothe，topofhisclass。Manyofourgreatestdivineshavebeenanything，butprecocious。IsaacBarrow，whenaboyattheCharterhouse，School，wasnotoriouschieflyforhisstrongtemper，pugnacious，habits，andproverbialidlenessasascholar;andhecausedsuch，grieftohisparentsthathisfatherusedtosaythat，ifit，pleasedGodtotakefromhimanyofhischildren，hehopeditmight，beIsaac，theleastpromisingofthemall。AdamClarke，whena，boy，wasproclaimedbyhisfathertobe“agrievousdunce;“though，hecouldrolllargestonesabout。DeanSwiftwas“plucked“at，DublinUniversity，andonlyobtainedhisrecommendationtoOxford，“specialigratia。”，Thewell-knownDr。ChalmersandDr。Cook(32)
wereboystogetherattheparishschoolofSt。Andrew’s;andthey，werefoundsostupidandmischievous，thatthemaster，irritated，beyondmeasure，dismissedthembothasincorrigibledunces。
ThebrilliantSheridanshowedsolittlecapacityasaboy，thathe，waspresentedtoatutorbyhismotherwiththecomplimentary，accompanimentthathewasanincorrigibledunce。WalterScottwas，allbutaduncewhenaboy，alwaysmuchreadierfora“bicker，“
thanaptathislessons。AttheEdinburghUniversity，Professor，Dalzellpronounceduponhimthesentencethat“Duncehewas，and，duncehewouldremain。”，Chattertonwasreturnedonhismother’s，handsas“afool，ofwhomnothingcouldbemade。”，Burnswasadull，boy，goodonlyatathleticexercises。Goldsmithspokeofhimself，asaplantthatfloweredlate。Alfierileftcollegenowiserthan，heenteredit，anddidnotbeginthestudiesbywhichhe，distinguishedhimself，untilhehadrunhalfoverEurope。Robert，Clivewasadunce，ifnotareprobate，whenayouth;butalways，fullofenergy，eveninbadness。Hisfamily，gladtogetridof，him，shippedhimofftoMadras;andhelivedtolaythefoundations，oftheBritishpowerinIndia。NapoleonandWellingtonwereboth，dullboys，notdistinguishingthemselvesinanywayatschool。(33)
OftheformertheDuchessd’Abrantessays，“hehadgoodhealth，but，wasinotherrespectslikeotherboys。”
UlyssesGrant，theCommander-in-ChiefoftheUnitedStates，was，called“UselessGrant“byhismother-hewassodullandunhandy，whenaboy;andStonewallJackson，Lee’sgreatestlieutenant，was，inhisyouth，chieflynotedforhisslowness。Whileapupilat，WestPointMilitaryAcademyhewas，however，equallyremarkablefor，hisindefatigableapplicationandperseverance。Whenataskwas，sethim，heneverleftituntilhehadmasteredit;nordidheever，feigntopossessknowledgewhichhehadnotentirelyacquired。
“Againandagain，“wroteonewhoknewhim，“whencalleduponto，answerquestionsintherecitationoftheday，hewouldreply，’I
havenotyetlookedatit;Ihavebeenengagedinmasteringthe，recitationofyesterdayorthedaybefore。’，Theresultwasthathe，graduatedseventeenthinaclassofseventy。Therewasprobablyin，thewholeclassnotaboytowhomJacksonattheoutsetwasnot，inferiorinknowledgeandattainments;butattheendoftherace，hehadonlysixteenbeforehim，andhadoutstrippednofewerthan，fifty-three。Itusedtobesaidofhimbyhiscontemporaries，that，ifthecoursehadbeenfortenyearsinsteadoffour，Jacksonwould，havegraduatedattheheadofhisclass。”(34)
JohnHoward，thephilanthropist，wasanotherillustriousdunce，learningnexttonothingduringthesevenyearsthathewasat，school。Stephenson，asayouth，wasdistinguishedchieflyforhis，skillatputtingandwrestling，andattentiontohiswork。The，brilliantSirHumphryDavywasnoclevererthanotherboys：，his，teacher，Dr。Cardew，oncesaidofhim，“WhilehewaswithmeI
couldnotdiscernthefacultiesbywhichhewassomuch，distinguished。”，Indeed，Davyhimselfinafterlifeconsideredit，fortunatethathehadbeenleftto“enjoysomuchidleness“at，school。Wattwasadullscholar，notwithstandingthestoriestold，abouthisprecocity;buthewas，whatwasbetter，patientand，perseverant，anditwasbysuchqualities，andbyhiscarefully，cultivatedinventiveness，thathewasenabledtoperfecthissteam-
engine。
