The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1852-11-05
Journal
For tho journal.
Capacity hs AFFECTED by A &C VS.. Ability.
am well avsare of the reaschs that may

i am We'll aware OIL inc TedsOuS lhdt iHoy
be presented in vindicatioh of views, which
have obtained the common assent, and that
any assertion to the contrary will not ind
much favor; nevertheless, we all know, when
the attention is not specially directed; public
opinion is frequently erroneous, and that the
habit of judging from appearances, though
often reprehended, is not yet altogether OBJ
solete. Accordingly, have been tnconrag-
ed to challenge the foundation for the idea so
prevalent, that the requirement Of
experience, is inseparable from age and grav-
ity. 1t is one that is believed by some, to be
equally unfortunate, and injurious, as it re-
CARDS the success of individual merit, and as
it effects the progress of society as whole.
The m;sconception has its origin in the
idea that experience is the product of time
alone; that he who has been practically oc-
cupied in certain pursuit, say for ten years,
must, of necessity, be more Intimately and
extensively acquainted with it, than he who
has been similarly engaged but five. 1t can
not be SO; for proficiency in practice is quite
as emphatically an requirement, as is the
accumulation of knowledge. The one too,
cannot exist without the o:her, and therefore
is dependent on other considerations, than
that of mere repetition. All are ready to allow
that the facility of acquisition varies remark
ably. The love for the accumulation of new
truths, the desire of thoroughly understand
ing their relations of cause and effect, differ
vastly in degree, and are as diversified as in
dvidual features. 1t is quite as evident, and
will be as readily conceded, that consequent
ly some must be more advanced i'm their at
tainments than others; particularly as 40 one
will deny, that many have Pc Sers of COM
prehcnsion and application, more vigorous in
their first years than others in their last. Of
these propositions, there is floating percep-
ton, and SO directly presented, would prob
ably, have the unanimous consent; but so in
distinct is the impression. that their influence
on society's action, is scarcely discoverabe.
1t follows that the questions of how practical
capacity is attained in business of which the
public know ching, but of which it requires
the services, need to be calculated, that they
may be able to Judge who is likely the pos
SCISSOR.
The qualities already mentioned are the
chief, it may be said, the only REQUISITES for
the attainment of experience. That the
more youthful members OF the learned profess
siens are as frequently eminent as their Sc.
niors for the learning of their respective de.
partments, is indsputable, and az the same
faculties suffice, and are essential for success
in its application to the practical purposes
for which il was sought; no reason can be
alleged why they may not be on an equality
in that cgard also. Practical dexterity is, in
fact, gained with comparative ease; for the
mind is little taxed after the principles are
once thoroughly understood. We repeat,
proficiency in learning, which IL the necessity
for successful prosecution of scientific or
other pursuits, is seldom the result of the
labor of any other than the earlier years of
life. In no conceivable time, can he become
accomplished i'm those vocations, who is des.
titute of the love of study, or inferior i'm those
powers OF comprehension and digestion.
which must ever form the basis of abili-
ty. Without them, and the longing to know
the why's and wherefores of all phenomina
presented to notice, the ardor need ul to per-
severe in investigation will not be retained.
The wish to inspire confidence NAV direct
attention to the means, but is an ineffective
motive for continued effort, while the sus-
tanned exertio IS would shortly become Excess
sively wearisome, because involuntary. Ac-
cordingly We find such, usually dispense with
the trouble and claim the wisdom which they
perceive the world is so ready TO admit is the
right OF their growing years and to pass I'M
noticed, because misunderstood they not
seeking the means by which it could be gain
ed.
The suggestion that the knowledge of pur-
suits whose accumulated truths are divided
from observation, must be acquired through
the same medium, and by labor equal to that
by which those truths were ascertaned and
authenticated, is nonsense. They have been
written for our advantage and are to be com.
United to memory, and understood i'm a similar
name, and with the same rapdity or Gull |
ness as those of any other science. Were |
it otherwise, the world, in some departments.
would be almost stationary, and many indi-
viduals would be compelled to consume their |
best years, when the mind and body are |
strongest, in attaining that which they could
be qualified to make use of only when the |
faculties were about to fail. Though S. un-
natural, such has been the belief TO certain |
extent, and such its consequences. From
causes which cannot now be explained, it |
cannot be denied, that particularly in the |
West, not few of the younger professional
aspirants deserve the imputation of incom-
petence. The fact, however, should not |
render our judgment indiscrimnate and ap-
piled to the whole class. To conclude one
incapable, because not of certain age, as is |
SO frequently done, is what is to be depreca-
ted.
The reason assigned is untenahle. In all |
such cases. it is not his comparative youth
but the want Of opportunity, and absence of
love for the studies and duties of that which |