The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1876-08-24
.r9F NEM Z -
Education Of Practical Men.

educate himself, it may be- safely stated
that no other study or labor will be nearly
SO profitable as that which is necessary to
acquire thorough knowledge of the three
elementary branches named above, Tread
ing, writing and arithmetic, Gf he has not
already mastered them. If he do not know
how to read and spell with perfect facility,
no labor should I've spared, day or night,
until he has acquired that knowledge.
Next he should learn how to write lcgbly
and correctly. Without being able to do
this, it will be impossible for him to fiji!
any ordinary positions. of trust, Or transact
any business which is at all rcmunerativc
In fact, it may be set down as being abso-
lutcly impossible for an engineer or me-
chahic to rise in his occupation without
knowing how to read and write with at
least tolerablc correctness. If, therefore,
we are addressing any one who has been
so unfortunate as not to have acquired that
knowledge in youth, let them not be con-
tent until they have learned to read cith
.tacility, to spell correctly and to sorite legi-
bly,. We italicise this, SO as to make it
appear as definite as possible. In doing
this, get teacher to assist you, and have
regular times for recitations and don't al
low any except absolutely necessary causes
to prevent you from receiving your lesson.
BY having a teacher and times for recita-
ton, it will prevent you to some extent at
least from neglecting the study without
which it will be impossible to succeed.
This neglect and WEAKNESS will be the
greatest difficulty in the way of learn
ing. The study and the task will soon
grow monotonOus, and pleasure appear
much more attractive The student who
is obliged to educate himself mist have
persistence, and he should lay to heart the
fact that if he undertakes to accomplish
any good purpose, and fails on account of
his own fault, his capacity for overcoming
difficulties is weakened thereby; but if he
perseveres and succeeds, his character is
strengthened by the effort he has made
and the result achieved. TO begin task
of this kind, therefore, and to give up,
fail and break down in miserably indo.
lent and cowardly way, is an indication
that person has not the stuff in him
which deserves success.
We have set the task for the first step
the next will be to learn arithmetic and
natural philosophy. These two studies
are regarded as of next importance to a
young mechanic or engineer. Grammar
and geography may be put off until later
period. II he acquires the knowledge
we have indicated Moroughly, he will
then be able to make use of the
information which he will find scat
tered all about him in the shop
or on the road or suggested by his daily
duties; but without knowing how to read
write, make calculations, and with NO
acquaintance with natural laws, he will
be like man who is blind. He cannot
see or comprehend what is about him.
The importance of acquiring this elc-
mcntary information cannot be impressed
too strongly. AS some one has said, it is
the first step which costs and is the most
difficult.
Some warning should be given about
the purchase and reading of books. 1t is
hardly ever safe or wise to buy IA book
without knowing something about it. AT
present there are large numbers of So
called scientific books published which
arc almost worthless. They are printed
by publishers who are either ignorant OF
indifferent about their value, and are pub
lished to sell. There is SO much good lit
erature relating to scientific and engineer.
ing subjects now that it is quite unncces
sary to waste time over poor books.
We will finish with Sidney Smiths adj
vice: "Take short views of lifc.' Don't
undertake to do too much, or anything toe
hastily; but having after due considera
ton commenced to study any subject
hang on with invincible courage and per
sistence until it has been mastered. Some
times a comparatively useless undertaking
may be worth completing in order t
avoid the demoralizing effect which sur
render entailS Bit don 4 Law out more work
than can be done. There are only TWEEN
ty four hours in a day, ten of which be
long to your employers, so that the tint
you can devote to self-education is limit
ed, and if you are wise you will aim tt
make the best out of the little time at YOU
disposal-Ruilroad Gazette.