The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1827-04-05
THE PEDANT AND THE SAILOR.

A man of learning lived upon the banks
of river; he was not one of those amiable
sages who enjoy in solitude the fruits of their
studies, but a real pedant, overflowing with
Greek and Latin, who necessarily torment
ed every body he met, with quotations, met
aphors, &c. If he had but contented him.
self with addressing those who were able to
understand him-sut he was surrounded by
poor peasants, who knew little beyond the
field and plough, and yet he persecuyed even
them into their huts, with Homer, Horace
and Sophocles, without even translating his
quotations. "Sir, said the peasants to him,
let US till our fields, and plant our cabbages;
if we spent our time in filling our heads with :
things which we do not understand, your
cook would find no vegetables in market,
and you wouldnot have such fine fruit up-
on your table," But instead of seeing the
truth of this observation, he exclaimed, with
much self-satisfaction, Labor inhro6us
omnia pincit."
Not far from this pedant lived sailor,
drol fellow, who was always merry and
happy, constantly singing, and was consd-
cred very skilful in his profession. One
day the pedant had occasion to go to the
other side of the river, and went ON board
our sailors boat, who Immediately took his
oars and pushed off. On the way the fol-
lowing dialogue took place between them.
| "Friend," said the passenger to the boat
man, "you seem to be very cheerful and
happy, and l suppose you are very well sat-
isfied with YOURSELF"
"And why should not be satisfied" said
the boatman; Il make good use of my time,
and have no cause for sorrow"
"Ah you make good use OF your time
Truly should be glad to know whether you
deserve to be so happy. Can you readi"
mo sir, not letter."
poor wretch you cannot read, and yet
}you sing Why you have lost quarter of
your life ''
! The boatman did not answer, but contin-
ued to sing. Soon after the pedant continu-
"Can you write." M
"Why, to be sure not I told you could
not read, so how should write"'
"What, you cannot write, and are vet so
cheerful You have lost another quarter of
your life!"
The boatman shrugged his shoulders, but
did not seem less cheerful than before
Presently the pedant began again.
"Boatman, de you understand mineralogy,
ornithology, zoology. astrology, physiology
and psychology, Ssc.'"
THE duce take all your foolish leng
names! What do want with them?"
|
things and yet fancy yourself so happy.--
Why, you have again lost quarter of your
life!'
During this conversation storm had sud-
denly arisen, the waves tossed the light boat,
and at length drove it on the point of rock
on which it could not but perish.
Sir" said the boatmen to his companion,
at this critical moment, "can you swims"
"No, indeed, l cannot; have had more
important matters TO attend to-"
| "Well then fear you have lost your
whole life"
Thus saying, he leaped into the waves,
and swan on shore. He suffered the Pc
dant to struggle awhile in the water, and
pretended not to hear his cries for assist
ance At length he took compassion on
him, helped him out of the water and took
him home half dead with fear. dripping wet,
and trembling with cold. Since that time,
the pcdant is said to have lost most of his
pride.