The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1886-08-14
TOO OLD TO LEARN.
\ Popular Phase Whose Sentiment Is Not
Founded on Truth.

How often do we hear the expression,
e.Too old to learn" or the same idea in
She ungainly proverb, "You can't teach
an old dog new tricks" However true
Chs may be of the canine species, it is
most true of mankind, particularly of his
Gutellect. Convicts, who, prior to their
Imprisonment never labored ten conse-
eativc hours have by enforced discipline
developed into fair workmen. The old
experienced mechanic is ever on the
alart for improved tools, and does not
hesitate to use them, even if it requires
didarcnt postures or manipulations, and
equally so with the surgeon. When,
however, we consider the wonderful
capabilities of mans intellect we find
shat too old to learn" is often cloak
fpr la2iness, and that the real difficulty
Is s. lack of patience and application.
because a full-grown man can lift
pith ease a burden that little child
Gau hardly stir, or because his powers
as comprehension are better developed,
he thinks he ought to acquire in few
DAYS what it took child years to learn.
ECom the day that the child began his
alphabet to the hour that he can intelli-
gently and understandngly read an
ordinary newspaper often covers four
1g five years; but the dlild is compelled
20 bestow so much time each day upon
Psis books, and certain results are
tsxacted; and to this enforced system,
AS much as to the receptive condition of
Elis mind, does the child owe his intel
ieclual gain. Were many who have
been deprived of early advantages
10 adopt a systematic course of study
and adhere to it, they would soon ac-
ronplish what they now regard as i'm
possible.
Those who have read the Count of
Monte CrSto remember EdmHnd Dantes
ard his teacher, the Able Busoni, and
Now afterwards he utilized his late acquir-
ed learning. Some years since very
young man was sent to the penitentiary
ln one of our Eastern States who was
Barely able to read. He read the story
s'f Dantes, and approaching the defects
az bis own education, he resolved to
esi2rc them, if possible. Among his fel-
3CyV prisoners was a clergyman who had
a0t done right, and lawyer who had
.2Ssoie wrong. Awaiting himself of these
sncai'S attachments, he studied perse.
VcTingly, and when his sentence expired
sIc went forth well-informed man,
When Rome came under the
lEHEfe of Victor Emmanuel night
schools were established. anC
when the prizes were awarded, the frs
prize was taken by man thirty years
of age. When we begin to gather ur
sucidents where men have made W
Gheir early deficiencies we come acros,
names somewhat famous. Every school
boy is familiar with the story of Cato
who commenced the study of Greek a
an advanced age. Boccacio, although
n fine CLASSICAL scholar, first turned hi
attention to writing in Tuscan wher
about forty. Aliieri, the founder of thu
italian school of tragedy, led an aimles
and dissolute life until about twenty
seven years of age, then he began A.,
severe course of study Besides his four
teen tragedies he translated Virgil ant
Terence, and at the age of fifty began
the study Of Greek. OF his TRACED es
has been said: Their literary rank i
permanent" Ogilby was past fit,
when he began his classical studies, bu
his translation of Homer was q favorit
with SO good poet and critic as Pope
William Cobbett, private soldier, a
twenty-five studied grammar, and after
wards became a famous writer, who's
tcrse and vigorous English is worthy O
imitation. The late President Garfield
even after he had entered public life. di
not hesitate to acquire good workin
knowledge of French and German, tina
Ac might the better understand som
treatises on finance in those languages
The late w. H. Hunt, at one time Min
fstcr to Russia, surprised mis- friends b
his progress in that almost unlearnabl
tongue Russian. The list might h
extended, but enough cases have bee
shown to break the force of the or,
Zoo old to learn" Let no one, how
tcrec, neglect his present opportunitie
but rather from these incidents feel II
Treportauce of the present, and the pc
sibilties of the future. After all, pc
severance is another name for geniu
and ignorance is much more east
cured than most people suspect. jam
T. KH55eH, IL Ch!tStian al Work.