Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1890-01-31
THE STUDY OF MAN.
Nature, Not Text Books, the Means Of
LEARNING Hnni,n Nature.

When Alexander Pope wrote "The
Proper Study of Manknl is Man." he
gave expression to far reaching truth,
illustrated every day. To understand
man in his various moods, to be able to
control and guide him, is to be king
among men. Self control is the first fruit
of each study rightly carried on, and then
follows the control of others-not as an
exacting master, but as guide and
friend. The leaders in business, in poll
tics, in war, the men who attain eminence
in the active affairs in which large num-
bers are associated, although they may
not have set out to make study of man,
and may, in fact, be unconscious of their
attainments, have nevertheless acquired
a knowledge of themselves, which gives
them self control, and knowledge of the
moods, impulses and weaknesses of 9TH
eys that enables them to take control as
leaders. Such power is not necessarily
associated with high degree of culture
in other directions, nor, on the other
hand does the possession of general in
telligence necessarily include this power.
The contrary is very frequently the case
literary culture, arising from a close
otutiy Vi DoOhos NC Olt VI tudJ liz
innate association with men which is es-
sential to knowledge of their DISPOSE
tions, emotions and passions.
Even the books that "hold the mirror
up to nature present but a partial and
imperfect view of man. The true student
must go to nature herself for instruction.
1t is this circumstance that sometimes
gives rise to wonderment at the success
of this man or the failure of that by those
who fail to consider the great value of a
study of man to those who would be
guides or leaders, or who are called upon
to manage large bodies of men. He who
learns by study. observation or expert
ence when to humor, when to command,
and how to play upon the hopes, ambi-
tons. cupidity or fears of others, so as to
get them to do his bidding, has mastered
the greatest of all instruments, beside
which the playing upon pipe is indeed
simple. There are men of this kind who,
having special aptitude for command,
soon learn. unconsciously it may be. how
to Lead guide or drive others. They
come to the front in war; in politics and
| in business life. and succeed oftentimes
in spite of defects in their scholastic train
! ing, while their better educated rivals,
lacking knowledge of men, fail alto
| gether, or if they rise above the ranks
gain only subordinate places.
Until within recent years there have
been scarcely any attempts to make
man school study; nor is it to be ex-
pected that the study as now carried on
will take the place of experience in rails
ing up managers of men. Yet it is
worth while for those who find them
selves deficient in this respect to formal
ly begin the study in their own persons
as in that of others. Self study is always
useful, for it develops unexpected weak
nesses that may be corrected if there is
disposition to improve, and it at least
gives suggestions as to the weaknesses of
others, through which they may be con-
trolled or managed.
When Hamlet, having vainly impor-
tuned Guildenstern to play upon the
pipe throws it upon the floor, he ex-
claims: "Why, look you now how I'M
worthy a thing you make of me. You
would play upon me; you would seem to
know my stops; you would pluck out the
heart of my mystery; you would sound
me from my lowest note to the top of
my compass, and there is much music,
excellent voice in this little organ, yet
cannot you make it,.
In that passage strong figure OF
speech is presented, illustrating what
may be done by those who have made
proper study of mankind. They can
play upon humanity as skillfully as the
musician plays upon the pipe.
Guildenstern lacked knowledge more
than Hamlet lacked advancement, but
there were doubtless others even in that
day who could have sounded Hamlet
from his lowest note to the top of his
compass. and have guided and controlled.
him. AT all events, the ruder instru-
ments represented by common men may
be played upon, and it is those who have
made the study recommended by Pope
who do play upon them and become
leaders among men. 1t is a study that
all can undertake; the subjects are in
Vulnerable, and the guide book to them
all is ever present in the students own
person. Sun.