ON STUDY.

CHAPTER I.

We must first of all, by a careful and impartial estimation of our abilities, determine to what height we can reasonably hope to aspire, and then make every exertion for its attainment.

WHENEVER any one wishes to rise to literary distinction, he must not think of accomplishing his purpose in a rash and inconsiderate manner; but having first, after a close and impartial scrutiny into the capabilities of his mental powers, considered which of the arts or sciences are best adapted to his capacity, and most congenial to his taste, and next determined to what extent he will proceed in their attainment; he must then rouse every energy, and direct every effort of his mind solely to the accomplishment of the proposed object of his solicitude: for in this way only will he arrive at anything like distinction in those arts or sciences which come within the scope of his imagination. To what height the young student intends to aspire, must of course be left to his estimation of his own abilities. For in a man of ordinary talents, it is laudable to have attained by industry and perseverance to a well-grounded reputation of mediocrity: it is more laudable to be ranked with men whose names

have been the glory of their respective eras; but it is beyond all praise to pass beyond the station of the most illustrious of ancient and modern times, and to obtain a firm footing upon a lofty eminence of the mountain of literature where no one has ever stood before you, and where, in all probability, no one will ever venture to climb after you. The first of these objects is easy of attainment. The second is truly an arduous undertaking; but should you even attempt the last, you will, by men of little knowledge and circumscribed intellects, be branded with the epithet of insane; or be accused of searching into secrets which Nature never intended. should be known to any one but herself.

Let not, however, this discourage you for should you even endure the mortification of failure, you are sure of approbation; since great attempts, although unsuccessful, are most worthy of praise. But with men of talent and industry, there is little danger of defeat; for since it is evident, that there have been men, to the superiority of whose genius the universal admiration of all ages has borne testimony; I maintain, that it is in the power of men in the present day, to surpass even those luminaries themselves in the acquirements of science and literature.-How mean, how timid, how abject must be the condition of that mind which can content itself with anything like mediocrity! On the other hand, how noble must be the elevation of that mind, which, having surmounted the loftiest pinnacle of the temple of learning, can look down upon the groveling earthworms, upon whom it has trampled in its progress thither! Upon that enviable eminence, more radiant than the splendor of

the mid-day sun, it shall shine, a glorious object to the whole world; till time itself shall have consigned all human distinctions to an eternal oblivion. Myriads of men, in number countless as the sands on the shores of the ocean, shall perpetuate the memory of its possessor with heartfelt gratitude and veneration.

Let me therefore exhort all whose minds have been rendered susceptible of the influence of literature, to determine to what height they can reasonably hope to aspire; and then, in spite of any difficulties they may encounter in their progress, to journey progressively and patiently onward, till they find themselves in full and secure possession of the ardently wished for eminence.

To this end, then, let us always continue to labor without intermission, even though our labors be productive of no fruit, no glory, no praise. Though another may reach the goal before us; though another may be in possession of the camp; still let not exertion be wanting on our parts: for if, when we expect to find our efforts crowned with success, we should be disappointed, we shall thus have the unspeakable satisfaction of knowing that, although from adverse or unforeseen circumstances we have not been able to command that success, we have notwithstanding richly deserved it. For my own part, whenever the desire of effecting a noble purpose has enkindled a flame within my breast, such is my ardor, such my confidence, that I had rather be torn in a thousand pieces, (nor do I surpass the bounds of truth, when I make the assertion,) than suffer my mind to relinquish its object.

I am aware, that there are some who will not only esteem it an act of presumption, but as I have before said, of downright madness, to attempt to surpass the works of the ancients in excellence; for, say they, the writings of the ancients, which have come down to us, though comparatively few in number, and those perhaps inferior to others which have perished, are so elaborate, and at the same time so perfect, that to add or take way, to change or transpose one word in the writings of any one of them, would be to render the work so altered less perfect and less admirable. And so in fact it would; yet since they were men of like capacities with ourselves, it is but reasonable to suppose that we should be able at least to equal them. And since the sun of science, which was in their day but just dawning upon the horizon of literature, has beamed upon us in its full and meridian splendor; it is but reasonable to suppose, nay, it is disgraceful not to suppose, that we may and ought infinitely to surpass them; and, in my opinion, were the industry and perseverance of man but equal to his capacity, there is nothing upon earth beyond the power of the human mind to accomplish. Should I now be addressing any one who, together with this opinion, possesses the ability requisite to demonstrate its correctness, I will say of him, that a noble heart beats within his breast, and he may truly say of himself with Virgil of old,

-tentanda via est, qua me quoque possim

Tollere humo, victorque virûm volitare per ora.
Primus ego in patriam mecum (modo vita supersit)

Aonio rediens deducam vertice Musas:

Primus Idumæas referam tibi, Mantua, palmas.