The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 184?-1851, 1844-07-24

AnYICE nc YOUNG RlEN.


ing admirable letter by Mr.. Carlyle, author Of
" Past and Present. Heroes and Hero-Wor-
ship,n and other well known publications. ltI
was addressed says our authority, to a young
man who had written 10 Mr.. Carlyle desiring
his advice as to choice of reading, and, it would
appear also, as to his conduct in general. l. isl
now, we believe, printed for the first time; and
we most earnestly recommend it TO the attention
of our youthful readers, as containing advice of
the most valuable and practical description, and
pregnant with truths with which they cannot be
too we'll acquainted. The young are too much
inclined TO be dissatisfied with their actual con-
dition, as to neglect their immediate duties in
vain aspirations after others beyond their lot and
they need the monitons of such kind, but Wig
orous and emphatic adviser as Mr.. Carlyle, and
to have it impressed on their minds, that
Todo
| That which before us lies in daily life
| Is the prime wisdom.
DEAR SIR: Some time ago your letter was de-
Iivered me; take literally the first free halfhour
| have had since to write you word of answer
1t would give me true satisfaction could any
advice of mine contribute 10 forward you in your
honorable course of self-improyement, but a long
experience has taught me that advice can profit
but little; that there is good reason why advice
is so seldom followed: this reason, namely, that
it is so seldom, and can almost never be, rightly
given. No man knows the state of another; it
is always TO some more or less imaginary man
that the wisest and most honest adviser is speak
ing.
As to the books which you, whom | know 50
little of, should read, there is hardly anything
definite that can be said. For one thing, you
may be strcnuously advised TO keep reading
ANY good book, any book that is wiser than
yourself, will teach you something--a great ma
ny things, indirectly and directly, if your mind
be open to learn This old counsel of Johnson's
is also good, and universally applicable " Read
the book you do honestly feel wish and Curl
osty to read" The very wish and curiosity in
Idicates that you, then and there, are the person
likely to get good of ii. "Our wishes are pre-
sentiments of our capabilities" that is noble
saying, of deep encouragement to all true men;
applicable TO our wishes and efforts in regard to
reading as to other things, Among all the OBJ
Iiects that look wonderful or beautiful to you, fol-
low with fresh hope the one which looks won
derfullest, bcautfullest You will gradually find,
by various trials, (Which trials see that you make
honest manful ones, not silly, short, ftful ones,
what Is for you the wonderfullest, beautifullest
that is your true element and province, and
be able to profit by that. True desire, the mo-
milton of nature is much to be attended to. But
here also you are to discriminate carefully be-
tween true desire and false. The medical men
tell us we should eat what we truly have an ap~
petite for, but what we only falsely have an ap-
petite for we should resoutely avoid. 1t is very
true; and Aimsy, desultory readers, who fly from
foolish book TO foolish book, and get good of
none, and mischief of all--are not these as fool
Iish, unhealthy eaters, who mistake their superb
cial false desire after splceries and confectlona-
ries for their real appetite, of which even they
are not destitute, though it lies far deeper, far
queter, after solid nutrtive food? With these
illustrations, | will recommend Johnson's advice
to you.
Another thing, and only one other, will say.
All books are properly the record Of the history
of past men; what thoughts past men had in
them; what actions past men did-the summary
of all books whatsoever lies there. II is Oh this
ground that the class OF books specifically named
history can be safely recommended as the basis
of all study of books; the preliminary to all right
and full understanding of anything we can ex-
pect TO find in books. Past history, and especi-
ally the past history of ones own native country
every body may be advised TO begin with that.
Let him study that faithfully innumerable nqui-
ries will branch out from it; he has broad-bea-
ten highway, from which all the country is more
or less visible; there travelling, let him choose
where he will dwell
Neither let mistakes and wrong directions
of which every man in his studies and elsewhere
falls into many--discourage you. There is pre-
lcious instruction to be GOT by finding that we
are wrong. Let a man try faithfully, manfully,
to be right, he will grow daily more and more
right. 1t is at bottom, the condition on which
all men have 10 cultivate themselves. Our We
ry walking is an incessant falling--a falling and
a catching of ourselves before we come actually
to the pavement, It is embematic Of all things a
man does.
In conclusion will remind you that il is not
books alone, or by books chiefly, that man be-
comes in all points man. Study to do faith
fully whatsoever thing in your actual situation,
there and now, you find either expressly or ta-
city laid TO your charge; that is your post; stand
limit like true soldier Silently devour the ma
ny chagrines of it as all human situations have
many; and see you aim not to quit it without do
ing all that it, at least, required of you. A man
perfects himself by work much more than read
ling. They are growing kind of men that can
wisely combine the two things-wisely, valiant
ly, can do what is laid TO their hand in their pre-
sent sphere, and prepare themselves withal for
doing other wider things, if such lie before them.
With many good wishes and cncouragements,
| remain yours, sincerely,
THOMAS CARLYLE.
Cur1apA I9ih March 1413