The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1879-11-08
ABOUT OUNCES.

Fisher Ames entered Harvard at the
age Of twelve, and Edward Everett at
thiltecn: Bishop IIeber translated
"Phmdrus = into English at seven:
Anna Seward repeated from memory the
first three books of paradise Lost y at
nine and Lord Brougham wrote on phil
osophy at eighteen.
But all eminent men have not been re-
markable for early attachments. Some
of the grandest spirits that the world has
ever known-men whose works and
memory are enduring-were regarded in
youth as ounces. They Powered late,
but bore the rarcst fruit.
1t is somewhat discouraging for a boy
of moderate abilities, who aims to do his
best, to be told that others accomplished
in childhood what he can do only by hard
study in the best years Of his youth. But
such a boy should not relax his efforts.
lie will succeed if he gives his heart and
mind to the work.
That distinguished teacher, DR.. Arnold
of Rugby, after speaking Of those who
zealously cultivate inferior powers OF
| mind, said of such pupil: = | would
stand to that man hat in hand.' He
once spoke sharply to a dull boy, who re-
piled: -
Why do you speak angriiy, sir? In
deed, am doing the best l can
DR.. Arnold said he never so felt 4 re-
| Duke in his life.
Sir Isaac Newton was pronounced
Ounce, in his early school days. lie
stood low in his classes, and seemed to
have no relish for study. One day the
''bright boy, Of the school gave him a
! kick in the stomach, which caused him
severe pain. The insult stung young
| Newton to the quick, and lie resolved to
make himself felt AID respected by i'm
proved scholarship. lie applied himself
resolutcly to study, and ere long stood il
his classes above the boy who had kicked
him, and ultimately became the first
scholar in the school.
Newton owed his pgc-einincncc il
his philosophical studies more to pcrSc-
verance and application t:ran 10 any mar
velous natural endowmcnts.
Oliver Goldsmith, than whom no be.
could appear more stupid, was the but
Of ridicule \ school dame. after won
icriul patience and perseverance. taught
I: ~, -, hot lIrll 81
deemed creditablc to her school, ant
which she lived to mention with prid
when her pupil became famous. liz
made no progress in the exact studies
but liked history and Latin poetry.
He was sore trial to his amb itiou
mother, who made many Ruthless effort
to quicken his wits by her sharp words.
Ills relatives, teachers. and school
mates, all told him that he was fool
which verdict he did not dispute, bu
took good-humoredly. Even when h
had produced the "Trayeller,' an emf
nent critic said to 4 friend: - Sir, do be
lieve that Goldsmith wrote that poem
and that, let me tell you, is believing
great deal.
Sir Walter Scott was dali boy. an'
when attending the University at Edin
, burgh he went by the name OF ''Th
Great Blockhead.' But he wasted n
time on trilies and in pursuing a stud
that he loved-as, for example, histor
or the classics-he WAS perscvcring an
methodical. He was one of those who's
knowledge on a subject. hat jptere>sttse
nun increased until it lay like q great
volume on his mind. When Walter
Scott began to make use of that
knowledge, society gave him another
name somewhat different from the Edin-
burgh appellation. 1t was The Great
Magician
Hutton, the antiquarian, whose know
ledge of books was deemed remarkable,
was slow to learn when boy. lie was
sent TO school to a certain Sir. Meat. lie
thus tells his experience: My master
took occasion to beat my head against
the wall, holding it by the hair, but he
could never beat any leaning into it,
Sheridan found it hard to acquire the
elements of learning. His mother deem
ed it her duty to inform his teacher that
he was not bright to learn like other
boys. Adam Clarke was pronounced by
his father TO be "A grievous Ounce and
DR.. Chalmers was pronounced by his
teacher as an ''incorrigibla one. Chat
tcrton was dismissed from school by his
master, who finding himself unable to
teach him in a satisfactory manner. set
tied it that the boy was 4 fool
Teachers are apt TO become impatient
over dull scholars, and prcdict of them
that they viii never come to anything.
Such uncalied-tor prophecies ought to dis
courage no scholar who tries to do well.
\ certain Edinburgh professor once pro-
nounced upon student this severe opin-
ion: " Ounce you are, and Ounce you will
ever remain" That student was Sir
Walter Scott.
Ii a dull boy feels an inspiration STIR
ring within to know something worthy
IL literature. science, or art, let him set
his face rs flint towards his object;
let him be patient, hopeful and selI-rc-
liant. unmoved by laughter, undiscour-
amnd by evil nrnnhrrrS