Morning journal and courier., 1886-01-18
g7nokz and Rea

From James Russell j.owell's Address at the Re.
 cent Dedication of the Chelsea Free tibrary.l
 We are apt to wonder at the scholarship of the men of three centuries ago and at 8 cer- tain dignity of phrase that characterizes them. They we're scholars, because they did not read so many things as we. Tke5 had fewer books, but these were of the best. Their speech was noble, because they 1unck- ed with Plutarch and supped with Plato. We spend as much time over print as they did; but, instead of communing with the choice thoughts of choice spirits, and uneon- sciously acquiring the grand manner of that supreme society, we diligently inform our selves, and cover the continent with net work of speaking wires to inform us, of such inspiring facts as that horse belonging to MT. Smith ran away on Wednesday, serious ly damaging a valuable carryall; that son of MT. Brown swallowed 8 hickory-nut onThurs- dayj and that gravel bank caved in and buried Mi. Robinson alive on Friday. Alas, it is we ourselves that are getting buried alive under this avalanche of earthly inper tinences! It is we who while we might each in his humble way be helping our fellows into the right path or adding one block to the climbing spire of fine soul, are willing to become mere sponges saturated from the stagnant goose pond of village gossip
 One is sometimes asked by young people to recommend course of reading. My ad- vice would be that they should confine them selves to the supreme books in whatever lit erature, or still better to choose some one great author and make themselves thorough ly familiar with him. For, as all roads lead to Rome, so do they, likewise, lead away from it; and you will find that, in order to understand perfectly and weigh exactly any vital piece of literature, you will be gradu- ually and pleasantly persuaded to excursions and explorations of which you little dreamed when you began, and will find yourselves scholars before you are aware. For remem
 Der that there is nothing less profitable than scholarship for the mere sake of scholarship, nor anything more wearisome in the attain ment But, the moment you have definite aim, the attention is quiekened, the mother of memory; and all that you acquire groups and arranges itself in an order that is lucid, because everywhere and always it is in intelli- gent relation to @ central object of constant and growing interest This method also forces upon us the necessity of thinking, which is, after all, the highest result of all education. For what we want is not learn
 ing, but knowledge, that is, the power to make learning answer its true end as a quick
 ener of intelligence and widener of our in- tellectua sympathies. I do not mean to say that every one is fitted by nature or inclina- tion for definite course of study or, indeed, for serious study in any sense. I am quite willing that these should ''browse in libra ry,' as Dr. Johnson called it, to their hearts content. It is, perhaps, the only way in which time may be proftably wasted. But desultory reading will not make "full man," as Bacon understood it, of one who has not Johnson's memory, his power of as similation, and, above all, his comprehen- sive view of the relations of things. 'Read not" says Lord Bacon, in his essay of stu dies Ito contradict and confute; nor to be- lieve and take for granted; nor to find talk and discourse; but to weigh and consider. Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested; that is, some books are to be read only in parts; others to be read. but not cur iously Carefully, and some few to be read wholly and with diligence and attention. Some books also may be read by deputy" This is weighty and well said, and I would call your attention especially to the wise words with which the passage closes.