The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1886-08-13
TOO OLD TO LEARN.

TOO OLD TO LEARN.
Founded ON Truth.
How often do we hear the expression.
''Too old to learn" or the same idea in
the ungainly proverb, lyon can't teach
an old dog new tricks!' However truo
this may be of the canine species, it ID
not true of mankind. particularly of his
intellect. Convicts, who, prior to their
imprisonment never labored ten conse-
cutive hours have by enforced discipline
developed into fair workmen. The old
experienced mechanic is ever on the
alert for improved tools, and does not
hesitate to use them, even if it requires
different pastures or manipulations, and
equally so with the surgeon. When,
however, we consider the wonderful
capabilities of mans intellect we find
''that too old to learn is often . cloak
for laziness, and that the real difficulty
is lack Of patience and application.
Because q full-grown man can lift
with ease burden that little child
can hardly stir, or because his powers
of comprehension are better developed.
he thinks he ought to acquire in few
days what it took a child years to learn.
From the day that the child began his
alphabet to the hour that he can intelli-
gently and Understandings read an
ordinary newspaper often covers four
or five years; but the child is compelled
to bestow so much time each day upon
his books. and certain results are
exacted; and to this enforced system.
as much as to the receptive condition of
his mind, does the child owe his intel
lectual gain. Were many who have
been depri, ed of early advantages
to adopt systematic course of study
and adhere to it, they would soon ac-
complish what they now regard as inn
possible.
Those who have read the Count OF
Monte Cristo remember Edmund Dantes
and his teacher, the Able BusOni, and
how afterwards he utilized his late acquir-
ed learning. Some years since q very
young man was sent to the penitentiary
in one of our Eastern States who was
barely able to read. He read the story
of Dantes, and approaching the defects
in his own education, he resolved to
cure them, if possible. Among his fel.
low prisoners was q clergyman who had
not done right, and lawyer who had
gone wrong. Awaiting himself of these
mems attainments, he studied perse-
veringly, and when his sentence expired
he went forth a well-infOrmed man.
When Rome came under the
rule of Victor Emmanuel night
schools were established. and
when the prizes were awarded, the first
prize was taken by man thirty years
of age. When we begin to gather up
incidents where men have made up
their early deficiencies we come across
names somewhat famous. Every school
boy is familiar with the story of Cato,
who commenced the study Of Greek at
an advanced age. BOccacio, although
fine elias steal scholar, first turned his
attention to writing in Tuscan when
about forty. Alfieri, the founder of the
Italian school of tragedy, led an aimless
and dissolute life until about twenty.
seven years Of age. then he began q
severe course of study. Besides his four
teen tragedies he translated Virgil and
Terence, and at the age of fifty began
the study of Greek. OF his tragedies il
has been said: Their literary rank is
permanent" Ogilby was past fifty
when he began his classical studies, but
his translation of Homer was favorite
with SD good poet and critic as Pope.
William Goblet, private soldier. at
twenty-five studied grammar, and after
wards became famous writer, whose
terse and vigorous English is worthy Of
imitation. The late President Garfield.
even after he had entered public life. did
not hesitate to acquire good working
knowledge of French and German, that
he might the better understand some
treatises on finance in those languages.
The late w. H. Hunt, at one time Min
lister to Russia, surprised mis- friends by
his progress in that almost unlearnable
tongue Russian. The list might be
extended, but enough cases have been
shown to break the force of the CRY,
"Too old to learn" Let no one, how
ever, neglect his present opportunities,
but rather from these incidents feel the
Importance of the present, and the pos
sibilities of the future. After all, per-
severance is another name for genius,
and ignorance is much more easily
cured than most people suspect.-JaMcs
Z. Hub6el, in ChristiGn at Work.