Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1840-02-25

SELF EDucATIox.-The Education. morals and in
telleci, Of every individ al, be chiefly his own
work There is prevailing and fatal mistake on this
subject Ii 10 be supposed that if young man
be sent 10 a grammar school. and then college, he
must Of be scholar: and the pupil himself is
apt 10 imagine that he is 10 DO the passive reci-
pient Of instruction he is Of the light and atmos.
phere which surround HIM But this dream Of intIo-
ence must he dssisaied. and you must be awakened
10 the important truth that you aspire excellence
you must become active and vigorous co-opcrators
with your teachers, and work your own distinction
with an ardor that cannot be quenehed. a pcrseve-
rance that considers nothing done while any thing vet
remains 10 &c done Rely upon 1t that the ancicnis
were right-QaisgUe suo FORUM |dJer-both in NOR
ais and intellect we give the final shape TO our own
characters and thus become, emphaically. the arch
iects Of our fortunes. How else should IL hap
pen, gentlemen. that young men. who have had just
the same opportunities. should be continually present.
ing with such different results and rushing such
opposite desniesl Difference Of talent will salve
a. because that difference Is very often in favor Of the
disappointed candidate You shall see issuing from
the walls Of the school--nay, sometimes firm
the bosom Of the family--two young mes. of
whom the one shall be admitted 20 be n genius Of
high ORDER the other scarcely above The point Of mod
o,ry; yet. you shall he genius sinking and per.
ishing IN poverty obscuuty and wreichsdness while
the other hand. You shall observe tho mediocre pod.
ding hs slow but way up the hill Of life gaming
seadfas footing at every step, aud manning length
to cuinence and disuciCn. ornament 90 his family
a blessing 10 bis country. Now whose work is this 2
Manifesily their Ownl They are the ARCHITECTS Of
their respective fortunes The besfscminsry Of loars
ing That can open its portals 10 you. do more
ilian afford you the opportunity Of instruction but
depend az last yourselves whether you will
be instructed not, 10 what point you will push
your instruction. And Of this be nssured-I speak
from observation certain truth, 7here is no crceL
ieacc WITHOUT labor u s the rat Of Fate from which
the rover Of genius cannot absolve you. Genius.
cSered IS like the poor moth that huuers around the
candle m u scorchcs itsclf 10 death. If genius be de-
rahlc az a. only Of that great and magnanimOus
Kind which, like the condor Of South America, pcrCh-s
from the summit Of Chimborazo above the Clouds ~
sustains ITSELF n pleasure, IN that empyrcal ret 0n
sifh m energy raiher ngigorntod Than weakened By
the effort II ~ tbs capsoiiy or high and long con
inucd excron--his vigorous power Of profound md
searching iuyesiigaton--ths careering and wide
sweeping comprehension Of mind--ihose long reaches
81 thought that
Pluck bright honor from the pile faced rsoon.
~ dive into The boitom of the deep
Whore hthom limo could never touch the ground
And drag up drowned honor by tho lrrks
Ihs o ihc pro,yess aud theso the hardy achieve.
men' whch are 70 enroll your nsmos among TIC great
men Of DE e1r.h.
blt how ore yol 10 gain The nerve and mo courage
iof en'orprisss of ibis pin ard moment I will tell
you' o. Milo gained that hoc srpo iof this
- your Wosk. MT that Of your toa,lsrG Be you not
waning 70 yourselves. snd you will accomplish oil
That youf farsnis fepds 80 co1ltrv heesa rgtf %
s4fs.t--W ~ "frs