New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-02-26
ITO GERMANY: A SIGN-POSI

boy to Germany
These questions have been put to the writer by
% many persons of different ages. Glasses and con-
ditions that he has finally determined to make an
abstract of his views on the subject Ii the ques-
ton relates TO the prevailing fashion, he repies'
Yes, by all means go, or, as the case may DE.
send your boy. You will be conforming to what
is not merely a prevailing fashion, but growing
fashion Consult Mr. Blank Pm. D., Mr. Aster-
isk Ph. D., or any other eminent scholar who has
enjoyed the advantages Of training In the Water
land. Do you not see that they all stand like
signposts. with one arm inlexibly extended and
inscribed To Germany? But Mr.. Blank. Mr.
Asterisk and the rest are men whose influence Is
steadily dvancing-increasing numbers come to
consult them on all matters Of serious research.
and seldom fail to read the inscription TO Ger
many" 1t Is evident that the fashion will con-
time to grow with the growth Of Messrs. Blank
and Astcrisk
The writer confesses to having been. in O small
way, such a sgn-post. For time he thought
she brief direction "To Germany all-suflcient
for he reasoned somewhat in the following manner:
Let the questioner go tor send) and see for him
self; let HIM go. simply, In the assurance that he
will find whatever he seeks. and more also Surely
Germany is the central reservoir of the worlds
learning; and whatever the ouestioners thirst he
may quench it there Surely ALSO sign-post is
nothing if not positive
But after while those who had gone by thnt
small way came back. and then IL APPARENT
Iiiaf of them had not found whatever they
had sought. Some returned without learning and.
still worse without the thirst for it other pilgrims
returned with their burden of original sins, and
more also Then the writer began to add cautions
beginning with il and provided, some drawn from
his own experience, others from his observation
of those who had gone and As sign-post,
therefore, the writer is no longer positively first
class, although his principal legend is still ITO
Germany; but perhaps he will not be missed in
that character, for there, ahe highway, stand
McSsrs. blank and Asterisk. directing and advs-
Ing positively, without a single if or provided.
Here, then. you may read these cautions, together
with such items of information as seem TO be most
commonly desired and least satisfactorily fur
nished in the literature OF this subject
In estimating the real value of course of
study in Germany, do not take as q factor the
whole number OF PERSONS who appear to he at
Iacted by the opportunities there offered. but
make liberal deduction on account Of fashion.
Still it is true that the fashion would not per-
sist and grow # does unless substantial reasons
underlay il; and the substance of these reasons,
most plainly stated is this We attracted in
hat. in exchange for given amount of money
and in a stated time, we can learn more at the
German universities than anywhere else in the
world. ruling consideration, also, is the
quirement of the German language which we recog-
nze as an Indispensable part Of higher education;
and scarcely less influential is the consideration
that in Germany we may make incidental acquire
ments Of great value. familarizing ourselves with
the best schools of music and art in many forms
Out Of the whole number OF pilgrims not a few
appreciate the gain which may come TO them
through the leisure and indel endence connected
with their residence abroad-leisure and independ-
ence enabling them TO review their previous work.
70 distinguish that which is essential and import
ant from that which is unimportant, with the aid
of that perspective view for which leisure. indie
pendence and distance are requisites. The best
class, and only tie best class of pilgrims are bent
or learning first of all the method of the greatest
scholars, rather thin the results OF their scholar
shp-not what they have produced but how they
have produced so much. This best class well know
that method and not intellectual superiority is the
secret of the TcutOns and knowing this. it
is but natural that one should wish TO observe an
admirable and imitabe process from near at hand
The expression secret" of their success is mis-
leading; for although this method in study is
constantly spoken Of rs something mysterious 1t is
really very simple matter Observe the &C.
lchrte closely and patiently, year in and year out
DO you find that he achieves any result except
through his simple living, his regular habits. all
planned to forward purpose, his principle of
mastering his subject from the beginning to the
end, from the bottom to the top, going to original
sources Of information, taking nothing at second
hand, giving his whole hfe if necessary to making
NJ
thorough? These are not properly called secrets
Of success-these are conditions of success The
pilgrim from America who studies the conditions Of
success in scholarship and regulates his own life
IN correspondence thereto has learned the chief
lesson which Germany can teach the student These
conditions, If rightly understood, are seen to be
The same in every country and applicable, with
Slight notifications, TO every phase OF civilized
society," what notifications will the American
maker He may allow himself to be somewhat
more than an intellectual machine, and he may run
his intellectual machinery but six or eight hours
D day instead Of ten twelve; for he Will prob
ably work more rapidly and more neatly, while he
unquestionably requires more relaxation than his
German cousin
But in reference to the acquisition Of the lang
uase it should be said with an emphasis which
will leave no room for doubt that Germany is the
best place Tor perfecting ones knowledge Of the
tongue, not for beginning TO acquire 1t. The
elements Of German may be learned more readily
here in America. The initial difficulties should
be overcome-the grammar thoroughly mastered
before one sails. II one attempt these first steps
on the other side, one will probably find that the
native teacher has neither tact sympathy nor sp-
probation Of the obstacles which a beginner en-
counters and in certain extreme cases which have
come To the WRITER'S knowlpdao those Win xxppt
without such preparation. neglecting to acquaint
themselves with the OF such outlandish weap-
ons As the verb and the pronoun, have never
go reached the citadel Of the language at ALL even
after residence Of more than a year, but at most
have captured few outnnsts-a few nhraSes chiefly