Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1831-07-07
TIE PEDANr AND THE SAILOR.

TIE PEDANT AND TIE SAILOR
a man of learning lived upon the
banks Of a river; he was not one nf
those amiablc sages who enjoy in soli-
tudc the fruits Of their studies. but a
real pedant, overlooking with Greek
and Latin, who necessarily tormcnted
every body he met, with quotations,
metaphors. Sc. If he had but con-
tented himself with addressing those
who were able to understand him
but he was surrounded by poor pea
SAINTS, who knew little beyond their
field and plough, and vet he accompa-
MED them into their huts with Homer,
Horace, and Sopbocles, without even
translating his quotations. Sir said
the peasants TO him, 'let US ill our
fields, and plant our cabbases-if we
spent our time in filling our he ads with
things which we did not understand,
your cook would find no vegetables in
market, and you would not have such
fine fruit upon your table, But in
stead Of seeing the truth of this obser-
walton, he exclaimed, with much self
satisfaction, Labor improbus omnia
rincii.'
Not far from this pcdant lived a SAL
Tor, droll fellow, who was always
merry and happy, constantly singing.
and was considered very skilful in his
profession. One day the pedant had
occasion to go to the other side of the
river, and went on board the 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
boaiman, you seem to be very cheer
full and happy. aud | suppose you are
very well satisfied with yourself:'
And why should not he satisfied
said the boatman; make good use
of my time, and have TO cause Of sor
row.
'Ah! you make good use Of your
time! Truly I should be glad to know
whether you deserve 20 be so happy.
Can you reads'
No, sir, not = letter.
Poor wretch, you cannot read. and
yet you sing! Why, you have lost
quarter Of your life!'
The boatman did no. answer. bu.
continued to sing. Soon after the pc
Jant continued:
Can you writer
why 10 be sure not! told Won I
could not read, so how should writer
'What! you cannot write, and vet
so checifuls You have lost another
quarter of your life!'
'Iho 10 e, ~.
but did not seem less cheerful than
before. Presently the pcdant began
again:
'Iioatman, 90 you understand mi
ncralogy. ornithology zoology. astrolo-
gy, physiology and psychology. &c
The deuce take all your foolish
long names. What do want with
them =
How you know nothing Of these
fine things, and vet fancy yourself hap
py. Why. you have again lost quar-
ter Of your life -
During this conversation, a storm
had suddenly arisen. the waves tossed
the light boat, and at length drove &c
on rock, on which IL could not but
perish.
SIR, said the boatmaH 90 his com
panion. at this critical moment, 'can
you swim p
mo indeed, cannot; have had
more important matters Z" attend to-
well. then. | fear you have lost
your pA0Ie hfe"
Thus saying, he leaped iotO the
waves anil swan on shore. lie suffer
ed the pedant 90 Struggle hile in tho
water, and pretended bot to hear his
cries for assistance. At length he
took compassion on him. helped him
out of the water, and took him homo
half dead with fesr. dripping vet. and
trembling with cold. since that time
the pedant is said TO have lOst most Of
his pride.