Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1855-03-21
NO. IS.
AcoUAIrFANcs WITH THs EMINENr

make them rich, and familiarity with the for
mer does not make them scholars. Extensive
and premiseHous intercourse with mankind
has few advantages for the man of thought
Access is not thus to be obtained to what is
NEST valuable in others. Better for the studi-
Gus, thinking man, to be much alone, cultiva-
ting acquaintance with the insides of good
books and himself, than with the outsides Of
other people, however eminent 4 sra
No men, although called great, are sofullo of
pearls of thought, as to run over in the pres
| enee of ordinary company. 70 be admitted
into familiar intercourse with those who arc
| largely accomplished in knowledge Of the
world and books and things, is indeed an iu-
| estimable privilege. Transmitted property is
nothing in comparison with intellect and in
formation, which comes spontaneously, with
out any effort, by inheritance from parents Of
broad and finished education. What privi
lege equals that of possessing private key in
early youth to the memory of one eminent for
talent, scholarship, and professional learninga
Equally if not more to be priced, is the priyi
lage to be admitted to the chamber of the good
man ere he meets his fate, IS well as aehers he
meets it.---.-sr-1--
ne must ~ DC idiiiCAicu 10 NV
| only the want of formal instruction in early
life, but also that of intelligent daily and hour
| ly-conversation with friends of solid and deep
| information on some subjects. There is vast
| deal which can never be obtained from books,
and yet it is necessary TO progress. When
| this is attained with felicity, by the way as it
We're, advancement is rapid and easy. When
| net thus acquired, these things SO necessary
| to be known, become serious obstacles in the
path of the solitary student, which a few sea-
| sona5ie hints from learned friend would
have Immediately removed, if he could havo
come by such. An acquaintance like that with
| the great and learned, is OF inappreciable val
ue, of which one has right to be proud. But
| the sight of philosopher sage, even
! frequent position by his side, will not inlpart
/ any of his knowledge virtue. One cannot
get either by absorption. There are many
who revolve through life on the outside of in-
| tellectual society, but never have access to
its esoterie privileges. They know no more
| of men of note, than travellers who visit for
eign countries and never see parlors, do of its
private mansions and domestic life. 1t is
very petty ant contcnptiDIe ambition to know
| just eHUuSH Vi SUCH IDefi, Us 10 SnaDle one TO
| boast of their acquaintance. Generally speak
| ing, the best knowledge of distinguished ora
tor, for example, may be got from studying
| his speeches; of poet, by reading his poeIrs;
| of an author, by familiarity with his WORKS,
| and soon. This is thc greatest advantage Of
which they can be to us, unless their friend
ship and intimacy may be granted for that is
the greatest benefit of ell. This great pre-
rogative is reserved however, to few, and
commonly to those who are able to pay for 1t
by fair exchange of gifts. To consort with
princes, one must be a prince; to have inter
course with a shop-keeper, to any purpose,
you mnst have change in your pockets to bal
ance against his goods and to be admitted
| to the conversation of talent and learning, one
| must have both, in some respectable degree.
| -ita ---s>-.-- 1.H
THE GOOD OF CHLDREN.-Wbat would this
| world be really worth, if it was robbed of the
hearty laugh, and merry prattle of little chill
| dren2 What home would be worth the name
| Of 'shome, y if there were taken from it those
| little vines, which morning and night put out
their little arms to climb and kiss the parent
stem2 What hearth would look cheerful, if
around it we're not those little Lares to cheat
| il of its Loneliness and gloom? What atiesert
| is, without an oasis-a forest without shrub
. garden without hower--a lutte, without
| string, SO is a home without children. Who
does not love little children? Who does not
| feel happy, when his heart-doors are locked
suspiciously against all the rest of the world
| in raising its windows and letting these little
| ones flock in, and rumnage every secret draw
er and passage from the basement to the attic9
Happy is the man who loves little children
/ Let him be a stranger in n strange piace-let
him meet with faces unknown before-fet him
find no heart which beats ssympatheticaliy with
his own, and yet the sparkling eyes. 1.-The curb
locks, the sprightly step. and the happy laugh
| ter of children are the same to him there as At
| home. Their bright faces are like the stars to
him, ever twinkling the same whereyer he
goes; their gay voices are like cheerful zaGr-
mering riyulcts, or like the happy seng Of
birds, always sounding the same to his ears -
| Let him be sad-let the clouds of sorrow gath
er their darkness around his years-iet the
SHOWS of adyersity chill his better nature,aaard
yet let him but feel the influence of chiiSr rsH,
and his soul like broken instrument, nov
repaired and newly strung, yibrates with setter
and more melodious tones. +sss
/ % Why is the life of editor like fise
book of Revelations7 Because he is full OF
sstypes and shadows and a mighty voice
like the voice of many waters. ever
! unto him--ss Wyite - 'zlt st-aA