The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1848-01-15
APassagefrOm clinton Bradshaw

APassagefrOm "ClintonB Bradshaw
The following passage e~mbodies, in
brief space. u great number Of valuabls
suggestions to Students. rcd! ,7,ngh
"Read a.few standard works thor
oughIy, than many promiscuously.-
Understand every thought Of the uu.
thor, as you 60 along. Sit and think
over what yon,have.. read-,hink s,eadis
Iy, not impulsively--:hink long. Keep
not ; our habits OIL study for your Office;
study as YOU walk the streets, here,
there, everywhere do not mean
that you should lose yourself in abstrac.
tons by no means; but that you should
observe things around you, and UNDER
stand exactly their relative positions
not only things. but men, and women
too" said Glassman, smiling. "Yeu
must keep your intellectual amor on,
and always have it bright. EschswI
prejudice; be not too much influenced
by first impressions. but weigh them
welI,they are instincts and often tell the
truth. Acquire seIfpossession, but
not hear,lessness. Act 10 wards wo.t
men without one particle Of foppery or
afiectation--te natural with them, and,
be gentle; they are best won, as the
summer sun wins the dew from the
rose, and causes lis bud 10 blossom,
gradually with an %insinuaiing power.
When you 60 a wooing, make not your
intentions known too soon; it throws
a woman upon her guard, and she
watches every venue to her heart, ar
gus.eyed-you will have twice the toll
to win her. Whai-we win with great
toll must have rare excellence 10 rea
ward us; lift had not we are sadly dis.
appointed u Twas going 10 advise you
against wedding a very poor girl, but I
had better warn you against marrying
a rich one; you can make money, IT,
you try. and your wife will not only
love, but respect you, if she owesiaH
to you--if you owe all all to her, why
she must not only love,bu. respectyoui
very much, if you do not often hear Of
your Indebtedness. But marry for,
love, be she rich or be she poor. You
think this strange advice from me don't
you? il is good advice. ! could teach
you a homily on it with sad moral,
You are a young man Of penetration,
Mr.. Bradshaw, Of sagacity; cultivate,
it; It's better than all the books & that
ever were written. Books tell US what
has been, just as a man would tell us--'
both books and men may distort and
m~isrepresent; sagacity sees through,
them. In your intercourse with mems
treat them will, all courtesy but not
s%ycophancy. BE rather TOO proud than
too humble. Understand which way.
interests lead them, and OBJ.
serve them always in little things.-i
Many a man braces himself up to he.
in great things who is no hero
At all. Perhaps his heroism is forced.
Upon HIM, as courage is forced upon a
:ornered rat; he acts we'll upon come
and obtains n reputation for aitl
hat lasts him through lite, which he no
deserves than would the rata re.
Tor courage. Practice oratory:
n u country il is more powerful than,
he ~two-edged sword in the strong
and in battle. Read the English au-
hors; they are the best-their thoughts
re the solid metal; the moderns have
ammered it out. Be natural in your
peaking, and have a manner o! your,
wn. Obtain self-posssssion, and tho
Of looking far ahead, while you
peak; see your way through before
start. Never go on al a venture,
Mess you know your subject, aud
len it is no venture, because You are
ke the pilot who knows the wherea.4
but Of the auicksand, and sees tho
lore."