The Yazoo Democrat., 1854-04-26
Observation and Tnauiry.

Observation and AmQWlrVs
Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton recently delivered
an address before The five Societies Of Edin-
burgh College, on the occasion Of his inaugua-
ion as Honorary President Of these Associated
Societies. In the course Of his address he made
some remarks on the habits Of observation aud
inquiry, which we commend 10 the attention of
| all our young men. They are as follows
mature indicates to the infant the two main
elements of wisdom nature herself teaches tha
infant to observe and 10 inquire. You viii have
noticed how every new object catches the eye Of
young child, how intuitively be begins 10
question you urou all be suryeys,--what it is9
what ii is for how il came there and how it
is made 3 who made it7 Gradually, as he be-
comes older, his observation is less eager. Ia
fact, both faculties are often troublesome aud
puzzeing to those about him. He is told 10
attend to his lessons and not ask questions 10
which he cannot yet understand the replies.
This reckless viyscity is drilled into mechanical
.orms, so that often wien we leave school we
observe less and inquire less than when we
stood at the knee Of oar mother in The nursery.
Bat our first object on entering upon youth.
and surveying the great world thai spreads be-
fore us should be 10 regain the earliest attri-
outes OF the cIild. What were the instincts Of
the infant are tie primary duties Of the student
His ideas become rich and various in proper
ton as he obseryes,-accurate and practical iH
proportion as he inquiries.
The old story of Newton Observing be fall
Of the apple, and SO arriving by inquiry, al the
laws OF gravity, will occur TO you all. But this
is the ordinary process in every department d
intelligence. A man who observes more atten-
lively than Others had done, is something in it
self very simple. He reflects, tests his observa-
tons b, inquiry, and becomes The discoyerer,
the inventor, enriches a science, improves a
manufacture, adds new beauty TO the arts, or,
if engaged in professional active lie, detects,
as physician, the secret cause Of disease, eK-
tracts truth. as lawyer, from contradictory
evidence-or grapples as a statesman, with the
complicated principles by which nations flourish
or decay. In short, take with you into al your
studies this leading proposition that, whether
in active life, or IN letters aud research, a man
will always be eminent according 10 the vigi-
lance with which he observes, and the acute
ness with which he iuqdires But this Is not
enough-something more is wan'ed-it is that
resolute effort Of the will which we call perse-
vemnces am no believer in genius without
labor but do believe that labor, ildiciousy
applied, becomes genius itself.
Success in removing obstacles, as in conquer
| ing armies depends on this law of mechanics
the greatest amount of force at your command
concentrated on given point. If your consd-
tutional force be less than another mans you
equal him if you continue it longer and cOncen-
trated it more The old saying Of the Spartan
parent TO the son who COM planned that bis
sword was too short is applicable to verything
in lile,-"iE il your weapon is too short add a
step to It," DR.. Arnold, the famous Rugby
schoolmaster, said the difference between one
boy amt another was not so much in talent as
IN energy. It is with boys as with men end
perseverance is energy made habitual"