Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1852-03-23
NEVER TOO LATE TO LEARN.

IL
Socrates at an extreme old age, learned to
NAV on musical instruments This would look
r;d;culous for some of the rich old men Of our
citv. especially if they should take it into their
heads to thrum a guitar under lady's window
which Socrates did not do, but only learned to
NAV on some instrument of his time--nota quit
ar-for the purpose Of resisting the wear and
tear Of old age.
Cato, at eighty years of age, thought proper
to learn the Greek language. Many OF our
young men, at thirty and forty, have forgotten
even the alphabet of language, the knowledge
of which was necessary TO enter college, and
which was made daily exercise through col
lege. A fine comment upon their love OF let
ters, truly
Plutarch, when between seventy and eighty,
commenced the study of the Latin language
Many of our young lawyers, not thirty years OF
age think that nisi prius, seire taciuS, &C., are
English expressions; and if you tell them that
a knowledge of Latin would make them little
more respectable in their profession, they will
reply that they are too old to think of learning
Latin.
Boccacio was thirty-fve years of age when he
commenced his studies in polite literature. Yet
he became one of the three great masters OF the
Tuscan dialect, Dante and Petrarch being the
other two. There arc many among as ten
years Younger than Boccacio, who are dying OF
ennui and regret that they were not educated
to taste for lterature but now they are too
DID,
Sir Henry Speelman neglected the sciences in
his youth, but commenced them when he was
between fifty and sixty years of age. After this
he became a most learned antiquarian and law
YER Our young men begin to think of laying
their seniors Oh the shelf when they have reach
ed sixty years Of age. How different the pres
ent estimate put upon experience from that
which characterized certain period of the Gre
clan republic, when a man was not allowed to
open his mouth in caucusses or political meet
ings,. who was under forty years of age.
Colbert, the famous French Minister, at sixty
years returned to- his Latin and law studies.-
How many of our college learned men have ev-
er looked into their classics since their gradual
tion!
DR.. Johnson applied himself to the Dutch Ian
guage but few years before his death. Most
of our merchants and lawyers of twenty-five,
thirty, and forty years of age, are obliged to APP
ply to teacher to translate a business letter
written in foreign language.
THE LIGHT OF NATURE.-The celebrated Mr..
Hume wrote an essay on the suffciency Of the
light of nature; and the no less celebrated Rob-
ertson wrote on the necessity of revelation, and
the insufficiency of the light of nature Hume
came one evening to visit Robertson, and the
evening was spent in conversing on this subject
The friends Of both were present and it is said
that Robertson reasoned with unaccustomed
elearness and power. Whether Hume was con-
WINGED by his reasonings, or not, we cannot tell;
but at any rate he did not acknowledge his con-
victions. Hume was very much ola gentleman;
and as he was about to depart, bowed politely
to those in the room, while as he retired thro'
the door, Robertson took the light to show him
the way. Hume was still facing the door: 90,
sir" said he to Robertson, 7" | find the light of
nature always sufficient;" and he continued,
"Pray don't trouble YOURSELF sir" and so he bow
ed on. The street door was open; and present
ly, as he bowed along IN the entry, he stumbled
over something concealed, and pitched down
stairs into the street. Robertson ran after him
with light; and as he held it over him, whis-
pered, {" You had better have little light from
above, friend Hume" And raising him up, he
babe him good night, and returned to his friends
The late eminent Judge Sir Allan Park once
said at public meeting in London, I" We live
in the midst Of blessings till we are utterly in
sensible to their greatness, and Of the source
from whence they flow. We speak of our civil
ization, our arts, our freedom, our laws, and for
get entirely how large share is due to Chris
tianity. Blot Christianity out of the page of
mans history, and what would his laws have
been-what his civilization! Christianity is mix
ed np with our very being and our daily life
there is not familiar object around us which
does not wear different aspect because the
light Of Christian love is on it-not law which
does not owe its truth and gentleness to Chris !
tianity-not custom which cannot be traced.
in all its holy, heathful parts, to the gospel"
Peoples ideas of comfort are various. A eel
ebrated hangman in England, showing the gall
lows attached to Newgate, observed to the by
ISLANDERS he had hung twenty persons on it at
one time. Some one suggested that it was
too small" "Oh no, bless you," said the hang
man, twenty-five could swing on that very
comfortably"
Some one has laid on our table the following |
Americans, yesterday was the fourth of |
March at the White House-one year from that
day will be March forth :"
What does it men! [Buf. FIX.
An innocent young sportsman hereabouts. in
order to shoot squirrel on the top of tall /
tree, climbed another one near by; and on being