The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1844-11-04

lions oil such Rnd but vigorous ana emphatic Advls-
er ms Mr. Carlyle, and to have it impressed on their
minds that
That which before siIies in daily life
Is the prime wisdom
DEAR SIR:-Some time ago yonr letter was de-
werod me; take literally the first three hnf-hours
have Ind since, to write you word of answer
It would give me true satisfaction could any advice
Of mine contribute to forward you in an honorable
course of solr-mprovemcnt hut long experience has
taught that advice profit but little; that there
is good reason why advice is so seldom loowed
this reason, namely, that it so seldom, aud al
most never be rightly given. No man knows the
state ofanother; it s always TO some more or less
imaginary man that the wisest and most honest advis
er is speaking.
Asto the books which you-whom know so little
or-should read there is hardly anything definite that
be sad. For one thing, you may be strenuousy
advised TO keep reading Any good book, any hook
tina, is wiser than yourself will teach you something
great many things indirectly and directly, if your
mind be open to learn. This old counsel of John
sons is very good and universally applicable; 'Read
the book you do honestly feel wish and curiosity to
read THE very wish and curiosity indicates that
you then and there the person likely to get good
OF it. Our wishes presentiments Of our capahli
lies; that this is noble saying, Of deep encourage.
ment to all true men; applicable to wishes and
efforts in regard to reading as to other things. Among
all the objects that look wonderful beautiful you,
follow with fresh hope the one that looks wonderful
lest, beautifucst. You will gradually find, by var
trials, (Which trials see you that you make hon.
est, manu ones, not silly. sho, fru ones) whit is
for you the wondefuest, beautifulcst-what is your
true element and province, and be able to profit by
that. True desire, the montion of nature, is much
10 be attended TO. But here, also, you TO dis
crimnac carefully between true desire and false
The men tell us that we should eat what we truiy
have appetite for; but what falsely have an np
petite For should resolutcy avoid is very true;
and Aimsy, desutory readers, who fly from foolish
book TO foolish book, and good of none, mischief of
all-are not these as foolish, unhealthy enters, who
mistake their superficial false desire after spiceres
confectionares for their real appetite, of which even
they not destitute, though it lies far deeper far
quieer, after solid, nurve food? With these illus
tratons, will recommend Johnson's advice 10 you.
Another thing and only other, l will say
All books properly the record OF the history of
past mon-what thoughts past men had in them
what actions past men did, the summary of all books
class Of books specifically named. History can be
safely recommended the basis of all study of books
the preliminary to all right and full understanding
ofuny thing we can expect to find in books. Past
history, and especially the past history o. ones own
native country, every body may be advised to begin
with that Let him study that faithfully; innumera-
bic inquiries will branch out from it, he has broad
beaten highway, from which all the country is more
t,la. tba,o L..
where he will dwell.
Neither let mistakes and wrong direclions-of
which every man, in hiJ studies and elsewhere, falls
into many-discourage you There is precious in
structon to be got by finding that are wrong. Let
man try faithfully, manfuiIy, 10 be right, he will
grow daily more and more tight. 1t is, at bottom
the condition on which all men have to cultivate
themselves Our very walking is incessant GALL
ing-a falling and a catching of ourselves before we
come actually TO the pavenent!--it is ombemalic of
all things man does.
In concuson,I will remind you that it is not books
alone, or by books chiefly, that man becomes in all
points Study to do faithfully whatsoever
thing in your actual situation, there and now. Won
find either expressly tacitly laid TO your charge
that is your post; stand in it like true soldier ST.
lently devour the many chagrins of it, as all human
situations have many: and see you aim not 10 quit il
without doing all that it, at least required of you
man perfects himself by work much more than by
reading. Thew q growing kind of men that can