Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1839-01-10

Nv benz on the acquisition, Of knowledge. A
Iesfer has lately been put into my hames
bearing dare the 0lh oC September, 10 inter.
esling IN itself. and so strongly illustrative Of
this point, that will read portion Of it :;
though It was written am sure, without the
least view to publicity.
was the youngest, (Says the writcr,) of
many brethren, and my parents were poor
My means of education were limited to the
advantages If u district school, and those
again were circunscribed by my fathers
death, which deprived me at the age of fif-
teen Of those scanly opportunities, which
had previously enjoyed. A few months af-
ter his deceaSe upprenticed myself to
Blacksmith in my nati re village. Thither
carried nm indoTltituhle taste tor reading.
which | previously acquired through the me-
dunn OF the society library all the historic
cal WORKS in which, had at the time peru
scd. At the expiration Of u little more than
hapl my apprenticeship, suddenly concciv-
I'd the idea Of studying Latin. Through the
assistance of an elder brother, who had him
self obtained collegiate education by his
own exertions, completed my Virgil during
the evenings of one winter. After some time
devoted to Cicero and few other Latin au-
thors, commenced the Greek ut this time
it was necessary that should devote every
hour of daylight and part Of the evening
to the duties Of my apprenticeship. Still l
carried my Greek grammar in my hat, often
found moment when was heating some
large iron, when could place my book open
before me against the chimney of my forge,
and 60 through with fupto, tstrteiS, tuptei, and
unperceived by my fellow apprentices, and
10 my confusion of face, with detrimental ef-
feet 10 the charge of my fire. At evening
sat down unassisted, to the Had of Homer,
twenty books of which measured my pro-
gress in that language during the evenings Of
another winter. / next turned to the modern
languages. and was much gratifed to learn
that my knowledge of Latin furnished me
with q key to the literature of most of the
languages of Europe. This circumstance
gave new impulse to the desire Of acquain-
ting myself with the philosophy, derivation
and affinity Of the different European tongues.
could not be reconciled to limit myself in
these Investigations to few hours after the
arduous labors of the day. therefore laid
down my hammer, and went to New.Haven,
where recited TO native teachers in French,
Spanish, German, and Italian. Ireturned ut
the expiration of two years to the forge,
bringing with me such books in those Ian
guages as could procure. When ] had
read these books through, commenced the
ing another field; and by assiduous applica-
this language with such facility, that allot-
ted il to myself as task to read two chap
tiers in the Hebrew Bible, before breakfast
each morning, this and an hour at noon be-
ing all the time that I could devote to myself
during the day. After becoming somewhat
familiar with this language, looked around
me for the means Of initiating myself into
the fields Of Oriental literature, and to my
deep regret and concern found my progress
in this direction hedged in by the want ofre-
quisite books. began Immediately to de-
wise means Of obviating this obstacle and
after many plans, concluded to seek place
as sailor on board some ship bound to Eu-
rope, thinking in this way to have opportuni-
works in the modern and Oriental languages
as found necessary for this object. left
The forge at my native place to carry this
plan into execution. i travelled on foot to
Boston, a distance of more than hundred
miles, to find some vessels bound to Europe.
In this wns disappointed, and while revolt
wing in my mind what steps next to take, !
heard Of the American Antigua
rian Society in Worcester. Immediately
bent my steps towards this place. / visited
The hail Of the A. A. s., and found there to
my qualification such q collection Of ancient,
modern and oriental languages as never be-
fore conceived to be collected in one place.
and, Sir, you may imagine with what senti-
ments Of gratitude ! was affected, when upon
evincing desire to examine some of these
rich and rare works, ! was kindly invited to
an unlimited participation in ali the benefits
Of this noble institution. Awaiting myself Of
The kindness Of the directors, I spent about
three hours daily at the hall, which with an
hour at noon and about three in the evening
make up the portion Of the day which ] ap-
propriate to my studies, the rest being occu-
pied in arduous manual labor. Through the
facilities afforded by this institution. ] have
added 50 much to my previous acquaintance
with the ancient, modern and oriental lam
guages, as to be able to read upwards of my
Of them with more or less facility"
trust, Mr.. President, / shall be pardoned
by the ingenious author of this letter. and the
gentleman to whom il was addressed. CIV.
Lincoln, Esq, of WorcesterJ for the liberty
which have taken, unexpected l am sure
by both Of them, in thus making it public. 1t
disloses resolute purpose of improvement.
under obstacles and difficulties Of no ordina.
nv kind, which excites my admiration, may
say veneration. u is enough to make one
who has good opportunities for education.
hang his head in shame. .55
The Sfamp.-In opposition to the usual
course of things. the Southern mode Of olec-
tiOneering is gradually progressing north
ward, and not unlikely win become, ere long,
the universal practice Of the country. In
some portions Of Pennsylvania the custom Of
candidates TO address the people in explana-
tion of their course, or in vindication of their
principles. is said to prevail. and be fast gain
ing popular favor. In New. Hampshire. up
on the recommendation Of Wing State
Convention. the candidates Of that party are
expected to take the stump during the APP
preaching canvass. Gen. Wilson. and Mfr.
Smith: the former in nomination for the Of.