CHAPTER XX.

Conclusion.

LEST the preceding chapters should have been read by any in a thoughtless and unheeding manner, it may not be altogether useless, by way of conclusion, to recapitulate some of the most important of them; on which, as it were, the welfare and success of the literary student in a great measure depend. And first, as the basis on which his future reputation is to be founded, let him be careful to form a just estimate of his own abilities, taking care neither to undervalue nor overrate them; for by the one he will be prevented from making those attainments which he otherwise. might have made, and by the other he will be in danger of generating a species of intellectual pride, which is never the concomitant of, and always detrimental to, sound learning. Having satisfied himself on this point, he must then determine to what extent in literary acquisitions he intends to proceed, and in fixing this boundary, if he possess a mind ambitious of distinction, and determined by every means in its power to gain it, he is seldom in danger of proceeding too far; but when once he has pointed out the goal to his own imagination, let him never relax in his exertions to reach it. If the proposed extent of his learning be not so great as that which has been acquired by others, there is not the less merit due to him on that account.

Nature has not bestowed upon every one the abilities of a Plato, an Aristotle, or a Cicero, consequently it is not in the power of all to rival them in the attainments of literature and philosophy; but it is in the power of every one to rival them in merit, for they did but make the best use of their talents, and it is in the power of all to do the same. To this end, let nothing divert the mind of the student from his pursuits; let him not yield even for a moment (for even in this there is danger) to the debasing influence of effeminacy, or the fascinating allurements of luxurious enjoyments. In short, as has been before inculcated, he must consider all things, the more immediate object of which is pleasure, in the sensual acceptation of the term, as the greatest enemies to himself, and his pursuits, and as such studiously avoid them. Let him remember, that his ability will increase with his exertion, and that it will, on the other hand, decrease with the want of it. Let him also bear in mind, that what he sows, that also he may expect to reap; and if he, during the season of youth, fosters the seeds of luxury and indolence, he may expect, in the season of age, to reap a plentiful harvest of disease and contempt.

Let him never despair. Whatever difficulties he may meet with in the rugged paths of science, let them only serve to increase his ardor and redouble his energy, for in no other way can he hope to conquer them. If in his ascent he should fall headlong a thousand times, he must begin to climb again every time more ardently, and fly to the summit with recruited vigor. He to whom difficulties are appalling, will meet with continual opposition; but from him who

disregards them, or who possesses the art of rendering them subservient to his improvement, they will at length altogether vanish.

Let him not be too desirous of riches. A moderate fortune is amply sufficient for all the purposes of human happiness; and he who possesses more than this, too often carries with him a stumbling block, which he can seldom get over. Not but that it is at all times his duty to improve his possessions by all honorable means within his power. Only let him beware that an immoderate hankering after wealth, do not blunt the desire of acquiring more valuable possessions, and blunt his capacity and inclination for more laudable pursuits and worthier attainments.

The student must be fond of applause. He must diligently seek out and seize opportunity of surpassing his fellow-laborers in order to gain it. So long as he fosters this spirit of emulation, there is every hope of his performing actions which will be a lasting credit to himself, and also of the utmost benefit to society. Whenever he sees any one passing him in the common race, let him not rest for a moment till he has repassed him. This will be highly beneficial to either, for each will redouble his exertions, the one to keep before his companion, the other to regain his lost ground; whilst they who are witnesses of the contest, will give, if not the palm of victory, at least the reward of perseverance to both.

It may not be improper to advert here to some of the acquirements necessary to be made before a man can enjoy the reputation of being learned.—A thorough knowledge of the Latin language is, in the first place, indispensably requisite. This has been the universal.

language of men of literature of every civilized nation, and in all ages, from the days of Augustus to our own; and it is at this fountain that we must quaff the draughts of knowledge, or otherwise be contented with satisfying our thirst at turbid and polluted streams. A knowledge of the Greek language is also so necessary, that a man who is destitute of it, can scarcely come under the denomination of learned. But much remains to be done beyond the mere acquisition of these, for it does not necessarily follow, that a person, be he ever so well skilled in classical literature, should be either learned or wise. Indeed it may so happen, and undoubtedly is in many instances the case, that a man may by practice acquire a considerable readiness in reading works in either of the above-mentioned languages, and yet be utterly unable to comprehend their meaning; notwithstanding which, he values himself highly upon these acquisitions, never considering that language is only valuable as it is a means of arriving at knowledge. But as the inutility of such parrot-like attainments is too apparent to require a demonstration, we shall pass on to the consideration of scientific acquirements.

In order to become, in the modern acceptation of the word, a philosopher, it is indispensably necessary that the person aspiring to this distinction should be acquainted with the whole range of the mathematical sciences; and this is the grand test of a man's ability. The acquirement of classical literature requires little more than the exercise of patient industry; and is so limited in its nature, that a man of inferior abilities may, if he think it worth his while, easily become ac

quainted with it in all its varieties. But it is not so with the sciences, it would be totally impossible to assign a boundary to their extent, or their utility. The acquisition of the former is a mere effort of the memory; the acquisition of the latter is the result of the most arduous application of the mind. The former is, as it were, a kind of mental provision gathered into the storehouse of the brain, for the use only of him who possesses it; but the latter is like seed sown in a fertile field, yielding an hundred fold for the use of others.

One great advantage of the mathematical sciences is, that by constant exercise in them, we become accustomed to a close and infallible habit of thinking and reasoning, so that a person well versed in this department of literature is in no danger of being deceived by false representations of things, however ingenious the sophistry under which such fallacy may be concealed; for whenever a theory is submitted to the consideration of a mathematician, he immediately traces it from its first principles through a series of consequences till he arrive at a demonstration of its truth, or a conviction of its error, according to which he either adopts or rejects it. So that whatever may be the contentions of illiterate disputants respecting it, whether arising from their incompetency to decide concerning the truth of its premises, or from their inability to judge of the correctness or fallacy of the conclusions drawn from those premises, he is enabled, by an infallible mode of reasoning, to establish or overthrow it, according as he has proved its truth or want of it.