Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-01-10
CARLYLE On READING.

from DT. Geikie's Book for Young Men
CHELSEA, 18th March, 1913.
DEAR SIR:-SOme time ago your letter was de-
livered me; | take literally the first ii ee half
hour have had since, to write you a word of
answer.
1t would give me true satisfaction, could any
advice of mine continue to forward YOU in your
honorable course of self improvement: but a
long experience has taught me that advice can
profit but little; that there is a good reason VIII
'advice is so seldom fOlOwed"-this reason,
namely, that il is SO seldom, and can almost
never be, rightly given. No man knows the
state of another; it is always to some more or
less imaginary man that the wisest and most
honest adviser il speaking.
AS 10 the books which you. whom / know so
little of, should read, there is hardly ANYTHING
definite that can be said. For one thing, you
may be sfrenuOusly advised TO keep reading
Any good book, any hook that is wiser than
yourself, will teach you something-a great
many things, indirectly and directly, If your
mind be open to learn. This old counsel of
Johnson's is also good and universally lppica-
BILE: Read the book you do honestly feel wish
and curiosity to read. The very wish and Curl
osty indicates that you then and there are the
person likely to get good of it. "Our wishes
are pIesentiments of our capabilities" that is a
noble saving, of deep encouragement to all true
men; applicable 70 our wishes and efforts in re-
gard 10 reading, as to other things. Among all
the objects that look wonderful or beautiful TO
you, follow with fresh hope the one that LOOKS
the wOndertulest, beautifUlest. You will
gradually by various trials which trials see
that you make honest, manfuI ones, not
silly, short. ftfu Cnes) discover what il for YOU
the wOndeTtulest, beautifulesI; what Is yOur
true element and province, and he able TO abide
oy that. True desire, the moEitiOn of nature.
Is much TO be attended TO. But here also you
are to discriminate carefully between true de-
sire and false. The medical men tell US tn at we
should eat what we truly have an appetite for
buJ what we only falsely have an appetite for
we should resOluteiy avoid. 1t is very true.
And fiimSy, "deSultOTy'' readers. who dv from
foolish book TO foolish book and get good Of
none and mischief Of all-are not these AZ foot
Ish, unhealthy eaters, who mis- axe tn cir super
fetal, false desire after spiceries and confer-
tlonerles for the real appetite. OF which even
they are not destitute. though it lies far deeper,
lar SuieteT, after solid nutritive food? With
these illustrations, l will recommend Johnson's
advice TO you.
Another thing, and only one other, | will saw
All books are properly the record OF the story
OF past men. What thoughts past men had in
them; what actions past men did; the summary
Of all books whatsoever lies there. 1t is on this
ground that the class OF books specifically named
history can be safely recommended as the basis
OF all study OF books the preliminary to al!
right and full understanding of ANYTHING We
can expect 20 find In books. Past history, ant
especially the past history of ones own native
cOUntry-every body NAV be advised to begin
with that. Let him study that faithfully, in
Vulnerable Inquiries, with due indications. Will
branch out from X; he has a broad. beaten
highway from which all the country is more or
less visihle-therc travelling, let him choose
where he will dwell.
Neitl ct let mistakes nor wrong directions, of
winch every man. IN ms studies aud elsewhere.
lalls INTO many, discourage you. There i pre-
cious instruction to be got by finding we were
wrong. Let a man try faithfully, mahfully 10
he right; be will grow daily more and more
right II Is at bottom the condition on which
all men have to cultivate Themselves. Our very
walking Is an lncessant falling; a falling and q
catching OF ourselves before we come actually
to the pavement. IL is emblemaue of all things
a man does.
In conclusion, ] will remind you that it is not
by books alone, Or by books chiefly, that a man
becomes in all points man. Study to 90 faith
fully whatsoever thing in your actual situation,
there and now, you ind either expressly or
tacity LAID to your charge-that is your post,
stand in il Ike true soldier; silently devour the
many chsgrins of it, as all human situations
have many Hand be your aim not 10 quit il with
out doing all that il, at least, required Of you.
man pertects himself by work much more
than by reading. They are a growing kind of
men that can wisely combine the two things;
wisely, valiantiy, can do what is laid to their
hands in their present sphere, and prepare
Themselves wIthsl for doing other wider things
if such lie before them. with many good
wishes and encouragements. | remain yours
sincerely