The native American., 1839-12-21
a. CHAPTER FROM THE YOUNG MANS GUIDE,
~ W. a, ALCoTT
SHcT1oN III. On Pogky end .Sudg.

DI ". y. hLC0TT.
SEcr1oN ILL., On Books oaa .S'o,dg.
Ii may excite some surprise that books all,
study do not occupy a more conspicuous place il
this work. There are seyera! reasons fer thi
circumstance. The first is, wish to countrrae
the prevailing tendency to make too much 0
books as means of forming character TIL,
second is, because the choice OF these derend
more upoa parents and teachers than upon tht
individual himself; and il they have neglected tt
lay the Foundation of desire for mental I'M.
provement, there is less probability that any ad
vice may give on this subject will be less ser.
yiceab'e than on most others.
And yet, to Young man, al alay age, ought IL
dispair Of establishing such habits of body ana
mind as he believes would contribute to his use
lu!ness. He hates the sight Of book perhaps
but what then? This prejudice may, in meas
ure, bn removed. Not at once, it is true, bu,
gradually Not by compelling himself to read Of
study against his inclination; for Iltle will be
accomplished when it goes 'agai"st the grain.
But there arc means better aud more effective
than these; scnc Of which y i'll now proceed
to point out.
Let him attach himself to some respectable Iy-
ccGm 0! d@b2!ing society. Most Young men are
willing to attend yccum occasionally and
thanks to the spirit of the times and those who
have zeaou>ly labored to produce the preseut
state of things these institutions every where
abound. Let him now and lhcH take part in a
discussion, if it BE-. at first cnIy to say f,.w
words. The moment he can awaken an interest
in almost any subj .rt whatever, that mo,acnt he
W,ll Of necessity, seek for information in regard
to It. He will seek IT, not only in conversation
but in newspapers. These, if well selected, vii!
III their turn refer him to books OF travels. Grad
ually he will find Histories if not written in too
dry manner, sources Of delight. Thus he will
proceed, step by step, Till IL finds himself quite
attached TO reading OF various descriptions
There is one caution to be observed here
which is, not to read to long or too much at once
Whenever book, or even newspaper, begin:
to he irksome, lett be laid aside for the time. Il
this way you will return 10 it, at the next leisure
moment, with increased pleasure.
\ course not unlike that which | have bee.
describing, faithfully and perscycrngly followed
would in nine cases il ten. be successful lu.
deed, never yet knew Of single failure One
great point is to be thoroughly convinced Of lis
Importance. No youns marrcan reasonably e..
pvrt success, nuiess he enters upon his WON,
wi,h his whoie heaI!, and pu1>ucs it with untir
ing assiduity.
OF the necessity o[ Improvement, very few
young mCM seem TO have doubts But there is :
difficulty which many feel, which it will rcqur,
10 little ctio:t to remove because it is one 0
long Standing and wrought into all the arrange
menS Of civilized society. alludc to the pre-
valing impression that very little can be done tt
improve the mind beyond certain age, and thu
limit is often fixed at eighteen or twenty years
We hear it, Indeed asserted HAT nothing can bc
done after th'ty; but the general belief is tina
most men cannot do mucll after twenty: or a
least that it "ii cost much harder effort ant
study.
Now, would be the last 10 encourage any
young person ii wasting, or even undeIvaluin!
his carly years; for youth is golden period, aat
every mcmpnt we'll spent will be to the iu'"r!
what good seed, well painted in season, is 10 tn
husbandman
The truth is, t.,at " hat we commonly call
course Of education, is only course which pre-
pares you.Ig man to educate himself, 1t il
giving him tie keys of knowledge. But wht
will SIT down contentedly and cease to make el
fort, the moment he obtains the keys to the mes
valuable of treasures? 1t is strange indeed, tha
we should 50 long have talked Of finishing a,
education, when we have only just preparet
ourselves e.
If any young man Ut twenty, twenty five, 0
thirty, finds himself ignorant, whether the faul
is his own or that of others, let him not for on
single moment regard his age as presenting
serious obstacle to improvement. Should thes
remarks meet the eye of any such individual, !
nc prevail with him, when urge him to max
an effort Not nlomcntaTy effort, either le
him take time for bis experiment. Even Rom
was not built in day and he who thinks t
build W well regulated and highly cnlightene
nnd in few weeks, or even months, has ye
TO learn the depth Of his own ignorance.
II would be easy 10 cite long list Of men wh
commenced study late in life, and yet finally be
came cmiaent, and this, too with no instructor
bur themselves and their books. Some have m,
Ila signal success, who commenced after foit