The Columbian fountain., 1846-02-13
WASHINGTON,
THE YOUNG MANS WAY
TO INTELLIGENCE, RESPECTABIIITY, HO-
NOR AND USEFULNESS. .e

TO INTELLIGENCE, RESPECTABIIITY, HO-
8a NOR AND USEFULNESS. !ja ae
] am sorry for him who feels no pleasure
in reading. He dwells in q region of gloom
and misanthropy, and if he is resolved not
to use the means which invariably exalt
the spirits to.a healthy and pleasurable
flow, hope he may be suffered to remain
alone, not being able to find one to covet
his miserable and inglorious situation.
What you read, be careful to read well
and thoroughly; any thing worth reading
at all, Is worth reading well. Make every
book through which you pass, fully your
own. Get the run Of the whole story, so
as to be able to rehearse it to friend in
your own language. The more you talk
Of what you read, the better you will recol-
lect it. BY persevering in this course for
season, your mind will become rich as
storehouse, and capacious enough to be
continually receiving more.
It may be proper, however, in this con-
nection, to caution you as to the books you
read. ] am not about to propose plan of
study-the intended size Of this work will
not allow me to do SO. Nor do / now
speak of the moral character Of boks. 1t
is desirable to form good style, that you
may speak and write with ease and grace.
This no one will, or can do, unless the
works which he reads are written thus.
Streams always taste Of the minerals through
which they pass-and mans character gene
rally becomes assimilated to that of his
everyday companions. So is our style
formed by the models which are most con-
stantly before us. Read Mr.. Wesley's
works until attachments are formed for the
man and his mode of thinking and commu-
nication, and you will write and speak in
a similar way. 1t would be the same were
you to read any other author.
How important, then, that you should
read much to form style, and that the
works read should be clear and perspicuous.
Our tastes undergo great change after, we
are twenty-five years Of age, Anterior to
that we are usually fond Of what is glow
ing and gaudy in style, whether the senti-
ment is strongly developed or not But
every subsequent year changes the taste,
and sense is more admired than sound. No
book is worth reading unless the meaning
stares you in the face. To be clear in con-
versation, in thinking, and in writing, is
what young man should aim at first. If
he be student, ornament will come quite
soon enough. Todd's Students Manual is
a capital thing for every young man, and
here commend it to their attention. No SEN
tence that have seen in it requires to be
studied to be understood. You should be
careful then to guard against bad and con-
fused style, by reading such books only as
are clear and chaste.
Early rising is essential to successful
stndy No man will love his book much,
unless he form the habit of being at it early
in the morning. The practice of some is,
to do all their reading at night, after work
ing hours Mistaken men. Such an lily
judged course will be short-lived. The eyes,
the head, the whole frame, will soon feel
the sad effects of such unphilosophical pro-
cedure. Headache and want of appetite or
food, will be the first natural limitations Of
error. And the unwise youth will soon be-
gin to think his studies are injuring his
health, and lay them aside altogether. III
this do not occur, he will complain of def
cient memory--as it is well-known that the
mind is more vigorous and capable ofreten--
tion in the early than in the latter portions
Of the day. All great acquisitions Of know
ledge and fortune, have been made by men
who were accustomed to early rising. Nor
need any youth dream of either, who can
not deny himself an hour of morning slum-
ber to gain them.
Be sure to be good reader, whatever
else you lack. In that which we are most
frequently called on to do we should be
greatest profcients. Make reading daily
study, so that if required to read para
graph from a newspaper in company, or if
the secretary of a society, your reading may
bring you into favorable notice, In some
companies your whole education will be
judged Of by your capabilities in this one
matter. Study pronunciation also Men
are always deemed more or less ignorant
whilst they pronounce badly. Watch the
best speakers, both public and private, and
have dictionary always at hand /; and by
a little effort, care, and watchfulness, you
will not be afraid to open your mouth any
where. Attend to the art Of writing also.
Education is not unlrequently judged Of by
ability in this accomplishment. To write
well, with correct photography, is sure
method of gaining the esteem and friend