Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1855-01-23

: ing. Wo cannot Oh be sFrsnklixs, Il /,
true; but by initiating his montal habit.
and unwearied .indusiry. We may roach
On emlnence we should not otherwise
attain: Nor would he have bssn ,he
frankl'n that he aoas, If he had permit.
+. Yea himself TO be discouraged by the 10.
!. heci'on that VIC cannot all be Ncwfous.
s IL Is our business TO mako tho most OF
g our own talents and opportunities, and
instead Of discourasing ourselves BY
+. comparisons CO., and imaginary difficulties.
(. ~ BELIEVE ALL THINGS posi-.
4 bLE-as indeed almost all thines are
10 a spirit BRAvELY and FIRMLY ycsolced.
Q franklin was fine mo lei Of proc.
tical man, as contradistinguished from a
f visionary tAeorist, as men Of eenius ara
very apt to be. He was gieat in that
greatest Of all good qualities. strong
, ON sens se. A mere book worm
is miserable driveller; mere genius, o
thing OF gossamer. Gt only for the VIM
TO sport with. Direct your intcliectu,
eRorts principally to the cultivation
me strong, masculine qualities Of,
mind. Learn repeat it) to think de.
~ comPrehensiyely, powerfully
learn the simple. e.nervous language VIII
Is appropriate to that kind Of think
Read the legal and political srgun,e,.
ol Chief Justice Marshall and Alexau.
der Hamilton. which are coming out
Head them, study them, and observe
win what an omnipotent sweep OF
thought they range over the whole field
OF every subject they take in hand---and
that with a scythe so ample and 80 keen
that not a straw is left standing behind
them. Brace yourself up to these grea.
efforts. Strike for this giant charscte,
OF mind, and leave prstiinsss and frivol.
,,ty TO tfifers. There is nothing in yous
letter which suggests tho necessity Of this
edmonton make il merely Ia refer.
ence to that tendency to ediorescence
which have constantly heard charged
to Southern genius. 1t is perfsctly con.
slstent with these herculean habits of
thinking to be close student, and 10
know all that books can teach.-This
extensive acquisition is necessary, not
only 10 teach you how far science has
advanced in every direction, and where
the terra incognita' begins, into which
genius is 10 direct its future disc oyeries.
but 10 teach you also the strength and
weakness Of the human intellect.-bow
far is permitted US to 90, and where The
penetration Of man is forced by its own
impotence and the nature of the subject
10 give up the pursuit; and when YOU
nave mastered all the past conquests. Of
science, you will understand what Soc.
rates meant by saying that he only knew
enou?h 10 be sure that he knew nothing.
nothing compared with that illimitabie
tract which lies beyond the reach Of ou,
faculties. You must never be satisfied
with the surface Of things: probe them
to The bottom, and let nothing 90 nm
you understand it as thoroughly as YOUR
powers will enable you. Seize the mo.
men' of excited curiosity on any subject
10 solve your doubts for if you lei Il
pass the desire may never return. and
you remain in ignorance.
The habits which have been recom.
9menu.nS are not merely for. college, .bu.
ior life. Franklin's habits of constant
and deep excositation cIung 10 him TO
ms latest hour. Form these habits now
Learn all that can be learned At your
University, and bring all your acouisi.
tlons and your habits to the study ofibe
law. which, you say, is to be your pro.
lesion; and when you come 10 This
study, come, resolved to master it-not
10 play in its shadows, bu, to sound an
its depths. There is no knowin, what a
mind, greatly and firmly resolved, NAV
achieve in this department Of science a.
in every other. Resolve to be the ,frs,
lawyer OF your age, in the depth, extent.
Varle'y' and accuracy of your legal
learning. Master the science Of plead.
,nng-master Coke upon Liuleton. and
Coke's aud Plowden's Reporis-,na ste,
t.earno on Contingent Remainders and
Executory Devises, till you can snort
and play lamiIiarIy with its most subtle
distinctions. Lay your foundation deep,
broad and strong, and you will find tho
sopefs'ructure comparatively light work.
IL is not by shrinking from .he most dif.
hcult parts Of science, but by cour,ine
t'lem' graphing with them, OVERCOMING
them, that man rises 10 professional
greatness. There is great deal Of law
learning that is dry. dark, cold, revolt.
lne.-but it is an old feuJal castle. in
perfect preservation, which the legal ar.
chltect who aspires 10 the FIRST honor. Of
his profession, will delight, to exoiore' e.
and learn all the uses to which i,s yari.
Gus parts used to be put and he viii ,he
) better understand. enjoy, and rolish ,he
progressive improvements Of the al. soisnrs ,,.s
In modern times. You mus, be . a ssta,
ia every branch Of the science ,ha, h..
/ longs to your profession---,he law Of -.
!ure and Of nations, the. civil law sb.
law merchant, the maritime ,av. ,s' &ss
the chart and outline Of ali which yos
, will see in Blackstons's Comn,sntar;s.
Thus covered with the panoply Il pIo. no.
, fesslonal learning. 4 master of plssdios,.
! practice, and cases, and, At tie sssne
, tune. great constitutional aud phil.
osophical lawyer, you must Skesp wsy.
, also, with the march or gsnersi acisncs
5 Do you lhink this reduirins tofs n.,~L. Z