Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1843-03-22


American Review of Washng,on's voluminous
Writings, &C.. and now recognised, as one Of
the foremost scholars, historians, and critics, in
America.
propose here to set forth few important
maxms for the guidance and encouragement OF
those youth who will hearken 10 me-maxims
based on my own immature experience and
observation, but which have doubtless in sub
stance been propounded and enforced by elder
and wiser men long ago and often. Still as
they do mol appear 10 have exerted their full
and proper effect on the rpenng intellect of
the coun,ry--as thousands on thousands are
toisomely, painfully struggling forward in the
race for position and knowledge, in The palpa-
bic defiance Of their scope and spirit will
hope that their presentation at this time cannot
he without some effect on at least few expan-
ding minds. They are as follows:--
l. Avoid the common error of esteeming a
college education necessary 10 usefulness or
eminence in life. Such an education may be
desirable and benefcia-.-lo many il is doubtless
So But Greek and Latin are not real knowl-
edge they are only means of acquiring such
knowledge; there have been great and wise
and surprising useful men in all ages who
knew no language but their mother tongue.
Besides, in our day the treasures of ancient
and contemporary foreign literature are brought
home to every mans door by translation WHICH
embody the substance if they do not exhibit all
the beauties of the originals. II your circum-
stances in life enable you to enjoy the advan,a-
ges of a college education, do not neglect
them---above all do not misimprove them.
But if your lot be different waste no time in
idle repining, in humlialing beggary. The
stern, sell-respecting independence OF your
soul is worth whole shelves of classics. All
men cannot and need not be college bred--not
even those who are born TO instruct and i'm
prove their kind You can never be Justly
deemed ignorant, or your requirements con-
empiihIe, if you embrace and fully improve the
opportunities which are fairly offered you.
II: Avoid likewise The kindred and equally
perniciOus error that you must have a profess
sion-musl be Clergyman, Lawyer, Doctor or
something of The sort---n order 10 be inlluen-
ta, useful, respecled---or, TO state the case in
lis bes, aspect, that you may lead an nieilectu-
al life. Nothing of The kind is necessary
very far from it. II your tendencies are intel
lectual---if you love knowledge, Wisdom, Vir-
tue, for ihemselves---you will grow in them,
whether you earn your bread by a profession,
a trade OF by liIing the ground. Nay it may
be doubted that the Farmer or Mechanic who
devoies his intellectual pursuits from pure
loYe Of them, has not some advantages there
in over professional man. He comes 10 his
book in The evening with his head clear and
his mental appetite sharpened by the manual
labor taxing highly the spirit, or brain: while
the lawyer who has been running over dry old
books for precedenls, The doctor, who has been
racking his wits for remedy adapted 10 some
new modification of disease, or The divine, who
immured in his closet, has been busy preparing
his next sermon, may well approach the even
ing volume with senses jaded and palIed
There are few men, and perhaps few women,
who do not spend uselezsIy in sleep or play
or frivolous employnients, more Time than
would be required TO render them at thirty
well versed IN History, Philosophy, Ethics, as
well as Physical Sciences, &c.
III. Neither is any advantageous location
essential ,olhe prosecution of ennobIing studies,
or 10 an intellectual life; OH this point msap-
prehension is very prevalent and very pernici-
Gus. youth born in some rural but ihiny
settled district, where books are few and unfit,
and The means of intellectual culture apparent
ly scaniy, feels within him the STRINGS OF
spirit OF inquiry, craving 10 acquire and
know, aspirations for an intellectual condition
above The dead level around him. AT once he
Jumps 10 the conclusion that change of place
is necessary 10 the satisfaction of his desires
that he must resort 10 the university or The
seminary, at least The city or the village.-He
fancies he must alter his whole manner of life
that persistence in manual labor is insult
ed TO, if not absolutely inconsistent with aspi-
raions awakened within hm--lhat he must
become, if not an author, professor, a lawyer,
at least merchant or follow some calling un-
like that of his fathers.
Wrapped in this de!usion, he betakes himself
10 the ciy's dusty ways, where sooner or laier
the nature and extent Of his mistake breaks
upon him. II he finds satisfactory employment
and is prospered in the way of life which he
prefers, The cares and demands OF business al
mol constrains HIM to relinquish Hose pursuits
for which he abandoned his more quiet and
natural life. If he is less fortunate, anxieties
for the morrow, constant and difficult struggle
for The means of creaiiahle subsistence, and &c
4 a.