Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1854-04-22

BoYHoop OF DISTINGUISHED MEN. "Drayden dis
played no evidence of more than ordinary intelli-
gence until he reached mature manhood; and john
son says of Goldsmith, that he was ga plant that
Powered late. Schiller very idle scholar, and
much onder of ball and leaping than of books. The
most interesting thing told of him child by his
biographer is that once, in the midst of storm of
thunder and lightning he climbed tree, and when
asked by his parents why he did So replied, whis-
pering: THAT the lightning was very beautiful,
aud he wished to where it coming from. !"
This story, if correct furnishes illustration of the
manner in which the young mind delights to seek
information for itself in its way. Perhaps still more
characteristic anecdote is that told of Smeaton the
architect of the Eddystone Lighthouse, who, when
boy in petticoats, day discovered the top
of his fathers house. in the act of fixing the model
of windmill which he had constructed.
The great majority of the most distinguished men
especially of those distinguished for their power
have been altogether undstinguished in their boy
hood. Sir Isaac Newton, perhaps the greatest n,
stood very low in his class at school, though he
fond of mechanical pursuits, and of drawing various
natural objects. Sir David Brewster says of him,
that when he arrived at Trinity College, he brought
with him slender portion of science than falls
to the lot Of ordinary scholars but this state of his
requirements was perhaps not unfavorable to the
Development of his mental powers. Unexhausted
by premature growth, and invigorated by healthful
repose his mind the better fitted to make those
vigorous and rapid shoots which soon covered with
foliage and fruit the genial soil to which it had been
transferred"
Sir HUMPHREY DAvY said OF himself II consider
it fortunate that was left much to myself when
a child, and put upon no particular plan of study
and that enjoyed so much idcness at Mr.. Cory
toms school. 1 perhaps owe to these circumstances
the little talents that have, and their peculiar ap
pcation. What am have made myself l say
this without vanity, and in pure simplicity of heart"
And it is so in fact. Every man who achieves great
ness, does so, not through his requirements under
teachers when boy, but through his selfeducation
after he has become O man.
We might adduce an immense number of instan-
ces of positively stupid boys who have become dis
tinguished and highly useful For instance,
Isaac Barrow, the great divine, in his boyhood
chiefly, distinguished by his propensity for fighting,
in which he got many bloody nose and his father
used to say, that if it pleased God to take from him
any of his children he hoped might be Isaac who
was the least promising of them all. And that
prodigy of learning, DR.. Adam Clark, when boy,
was never happier than when trolling large stone
about" caring nothing for learning or reading of
any sort But at this kind of work he became I" un-
commonly hardy" though his father proclaimed him
to be a most "grievious Ounce" Thanks to Adam
Carks power of rolling about the large stone in his
boyhood, he afterwards able to roll about large
thoughts in his manhood.
Napoleon and Wellington were both dull boys.
The former is described by the Duchess d'Abrantes
who knew him intimately when child, as having
good health and in other respects he was like other
boys" And she adds: "My uncles have thous-
and times assured me that Napoleon, in his boyhood
had of that sngularity Of character attributed
to him."