The Lamoille news. (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1877-1881, 1880-10-27

many AH4 tOuAuB 0u ALo ~
at the mechanics bench, or Perchance at
the ~forecastle, has dreams OF what he
might be and do IL he were only edu-
Gated. The most part only dream, be-
cause they do not make an forttoadyance
themselves. II is not because the ma
jority have not talent enough TO acquire
an education, but because they have not
sufficient energy to develop their re-
sources. Now every boy and girl has
more chances TO obtain an education
than children formerly had and there is
not a boy o girl in our enlightened
country who cannot devote one hour out
Of the twenty-four 10 reading useful, in
structive books. Many of u famous
authors, statesmen, and cultured men of
science labored under untold disadvan-
tages in their youth, but they persevered
and left behind footprints in the sands
Of time" worthy to be followed after by
every succeeding generation. Robert
Bloomfield, the honored British poet,
whom great men revere and honor, was
only a poor shoemaker's apprentice; and
it did not seem very probable while he
pegged away at his trade that he would
ever be the honored associate of the
learned and great But by employing
every spare moment in cleaning in the
fields of knowledge he rose to cultured
eminence. Elihu Burritt, Familiarity
called the learned blacksmith, wal a poor
man and worked increasingly at his
trade to obtain a living, and TO save
money to buy his beloved books. Yet
while working from dawn till dark he
found time to master fifty languages and
to perfect himself in the sciences. There
are many other instances to show what
perseverance and energy will do. So by
improving the talent that God has given
you may make for yourself a name that
will not die when you die, but live on
and on a monument to your ~unceasing
industry.
1t is far better to read one page at
tentively and Understandings than to
skim a whole volume, and only half
grasp its meaning. 1t is the saying of a
scholar of human nature, "Beware Of
the man of one book" He who reads a
little, thoroughly, would be so skilled
that it would be difficult to contradict
him. Have a system about your reading.
If possible, lay aside an hour, two hours,
or as much time as you can, for reading.
Have the hours at a certain time, and
allow nothing to interfere with them.
Give your undivided attention to the
subject before you, and in the course of
one year you will be surprised at the
amount of information you will have
gained, and the higher thoughts and
feelings which fill your mind. And do
not read everything. Lord Bacon says
"Some books are to be tasted; others
are W NC bNdlIONou ) hhu SOLhO low w NC
chewed and digested." That is, some
are to be SKINNED some are to be read,
but not curiously while others should
be so read that if the book were lost the
best parts, if not all, could be reproduced
by the reader. But whatever else you
neglect, do not forget the little book of
white paper, a notebook in which you
can iot down each happy thought and
passing fancy. Many of our best authors
took notes, that is, wrote their thoughts
in ~disjointed sentences as they occurred
to them, from which they afterward
formed most elaborate and beautiful
productions. Now, who will form the
resolution of reading al hour every day
and carry it out faithfully to the end of
the year? Be assured you will find
yourself amply repaid. Remember that
the more slowly and thoughtfully you
read, the more you will retain of it,
OLA Reed Nc Christie.