The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1874-02-13

for advice, concerning the books he |
should read, Thomas Carlyle recently
replied
CHELSEA, March 18th, 1873.
DEAR SIR-Some time ago your letter |
was delivered to me; I take literally !
the first half hour have had since to |
write you word of answer.
1t would give me true satisfaction |
could any advice of mine contribute to |
forward you in your honorable course !
of seli-improvement, but long expert /
ence has taught me that advice can
profit little that there is q good reason
why I" advice is so seldom followed" =
this reason, namely, that 1t is so sell
dom, 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 is speaking.
AS to 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 siren
uously advised to keep reading. Any
good book, any book that is wiser than
yourself, will teach you something's
great many things, directly and indl-
rectIy, if your mind is open to learn.
The old counsel of Johnson's IS also
good and universally applicable: ''Read
the book you do honestly feel wish
and curiosity to read. The very wish
and curiosity indicates that you then
and there are the person likely to get
good of it." "Our wishes are presen-
/ timents of our capabilities. That IS
noble saying, of deep encouragement 10
all true men, applicable to our wishes
and efforts in regard to reading as 70
other things. Among all the obJects
/ that look wonderful or beautiful to you,
/ follow with fresh hope the one that
looks wonderfulest, beauhfulest. You
will gradually by various trials (Which
trials see that you make honest, man.
fuI ones. not silly, short, ftful ones)
discover what is for you the wonderful
est. beautifulest what is your true
element and province, and be able to
abide bv that. True desires, the mOni-
tions of nature, is much to be attended
to. But here also, you are to discrlm-
mate between true desires and false.
/ The medical men tell us we should eat
what we truly have an appetite Tor, but
what we only falsely have an appetite
for we should resolutely avo1d' IL is
very true. And fimsy, "desultory"
readers who Hv from foolish book to
foolish book. and get good of none and
mischief of ell. are not these as foolish,
unhealthy eaters, who mistake their
superficial. false desire after spiceries
and confectioneries for the real appe-
tite. of which even they are not dest1-
tute. though it lies far deeper. far
ouieter after solid nutritive food? With
these illustrations I will recommend
Johnson's advice to yoU.
Another thing, and only one other, L
will say. All books are properly the
history of past men. What thoughts
past men had in them, what actions
past men did, be summary OF all DOCKS
whatsoever lies there. 1t Is on tins
ground that the class of books specially
named history can be safely recon-.
mended as the basis OF all study OF
books. the preliminary of all night and
fulI Understanding of anything we can
expect to find In books. Past history,
and especially the past history OF our
own native country-e7erybodv may be
advised to begin with that. Let him
study that faithfully, innumerable in
ouiries, with due indications, will
branch ont from it; he has a broad,
beaten highway from which all the
country is more or less visibIe-there
travelling, let him choose where he will
dwell.
Neither let mistakes or wrong dlrec-
tions. of which every man, In his studies
and elsewhere, falls into many, discour.
age you. There is precious instruction
in finding that we were wrong. Let a
man try faithfully, manfully, to be
right DO will grow daily more and
more right. It is at bottom the con-
dition all men have to cultivate them
selves. Our very walking is an inces-
SAINT falling falling and catching of
4 ourselves before we come actually to
the pavement It is emblematic of all
things a man does.
In conclusion, remind you it is not
by books alone, or by books chiefly,
that man becomes in all points a man.
Study to do faithfully whatsoever thing
in your actual situation, there and now,
you find either expressly or tacitly laid
to your charge-that is your post; stand
in it like a true soldier; silently devour
the many chagrins of it, as all human
situations have many and be your aim
not to quit it without doing all that it,
l at least, requires you. A man perfects
himself by work much more than by
, reading. They are a growing kind oil
f men that can wisely combine the two
: things wisely, yaliantIy can do what
is laid to their hand in their present
2 sphere, and prepare themselves withal
D for doing other wider things, if such lie
f before them.
: With many good wishes and encour
4 agements, I remain yours sincerely,
THOMAS CARTYIF