The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-05-15
HE ASPIRES TO CLIMB THE TREE OF
KNOWLEDGE
A young friend in this city asks OF us ad-
vice which we gladly give. for his letter shows
that he is striving to make man Of himself:

A young friend in this city asks OF us adj
vice which we gladly give for his letter shows
that he is striving to make a man Of himself:
SIR; wish a little advice from you. am young
man Of 49, went to school three years in my life, and
education was neglected through accident in my early
years What little education have picked up my self
would like to know what studies would advise me
to pursue. have studied grammar but am told
by good scholars that speak very well Tor IN my
position am very fond OF the study Of law and cocu
ton, and would like TO know what books to study
ter them thoroughly. What books would you advise me
to get for the study OF poucsf Are there my other
hooks that could get that would instruct mci don't
like to read fiction Can get along without teacher in
the above studics' How Is my writing spelling gram
mar, &c. Ircmain, respectfully TnoMAs JANIS.
Answering young Jamcs's last question first
we are able to say that his letter Is very cor
rectly written SO far as concerns spelling and
grammar. and has the further merit OF OK
pressing what he set out TO say clearly and
tersely. II he had not omitted Interrogation
marks in some places where they were re-
CURED. II would have been without any marked
blemish. 1t Is n nice accomplishment to be
able to write n neat letter which says only what
is necessary and then stops.
Though our young friend Inns never studied
grammar his English is fairly good. Indeed.
fla man associates with people who speak tho
language properly. and diligently reads authors
who use It with precision and elegance he may
get along very well without mastering tho
grammatical art ne laid down in books devoted
to its exposition. many OF which ncedlessly
complicate English grammar and confuse tho
student On the other hand man may be
never so perfect in his knowledge Of the rules
Of grammar and yet use his tongue In violation
Of them, because Of his daily contact with pco-
pie Of faulty speech. few simple rules inside.
ono can make himself good writer without any
strictly grammatical training. Some OF the
most vigorous and eloquent OF our English
authors have been men who lacked such in
structon. But II is worth while for anybody
to study the later treatlses on our language.
which do away with the burdonsome rules OF
tho old grammarlans. and handle grammar
moro as n matter Of logic
knowledge Of the principles Of law Is useful
evon to ono who does not intend to embrace the
legal profession. to enter which man needs to
understand not only the principles OF law. but
the practice also. Blackstone's Common
tarics." Of which very good edition is that OF
Judge Cooley. and "Kcnt's Commentares'
are the proper works to begin with and II our
friend wishes 10 pursue tho subject he will find
in the notes in these volumes frequent refer
enccs TO other standard authorities.
As TO elocution. that is something 70 which
perhaps. young man may probably give some
Ntuu)s Out ne must pear IN nina tnat clOcuttOn
is not cloquence. and that. after all the matter
Of his words is more important than tho man
ncr of his utterance Of them. In these days.
people think less Of the old arts Of orntory than
they formerly did. and II man Is able to say
what he has TO say clearly. simply and forcibly,
he gets on very satisfactorily. Yet. II our young
friend wishes TO train tho infections Of his
speech, and TO give grace to his gesticulation
he may well spend some time over a book called
Orthophony. or Culture Of the Voice." the
work Of j. +. Murdoch. the actor and elocution-
list. In association with William Russell But
let him beware OF acquiring mannerisms OF
speech and a theatrical utterance and postum
ing. The great thing is never TO mako n speech
unless you have something important or neat
to say. and then to get 1t OF simply and patty.
The study Of politics is one of the noblest In
which young man can engage. and 1t is mani
testify one of the most important for the future
citizen and voter in a republic. How many OF our
youth who do not read THE Sun understand the
theory ofour political system and have informed
themselves rs TO tho history OF the Government
in whose maintenance they are to bear part ?
Our friend should read the Fcirdist TO nc
quaint hmsel! with the principles which under
lie our political system. Ic may also profit
nbly give attention 10 the constitutional
exposiiions Of Judge story. and should by nll
means be thoroughly familiar with tho Consti-
tuition itself Guzot's History OF Represen-
tative Governments" is a valuable book to read.
So is Do Tocqueylle's Democracy in Amer
ica;' and Greeley's " American Conflict" will
inform him as to the most trying time in the
history OF the republic since it was founded
These are only u few Of the works our friend
will find profit in reading with care. but they
will give him the start he wishes. and furnish
him with references 10 others which he can
aiterward procure. Let him moreover study
THE Sun assiduously. to learn OF pass ng polit-
teal events. and 10 acquaint himself with cur
rent political discussion; and il in November
1850. he has attained his majority let him so
east his ballot that he shall prove the value OF
his education by voting for men who will ad-
minister the government on sound principles.
and keep the ballot box free and sacred