Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-05-11
From Father to Son.

Inc 1olloWlnS ietter, written py the
grandfather, to the father, of a well
known and respected Augusta gentle
man of today, carries u volume of i'll
junction as good today as it was 81
years ago. History tells how well the
young college man profited by his faith
er's wise precept, and the present gen
Grafton witnesses the result in the
character and ability of the grandson.
Let us hope he will reap the full meas
ure in his sons from the quality of
seed sown nearly three-quarters of a
century ago:
Belfast, Oct. 81, 1s477.
Your letters, one OF which was in
answer to the Cleveland account, have
been received. The last mail also
brought the annual catalogue of your
institution. 1 do not perceive among
the studies of the first term of Junior
year any mathematics unless they are
included under the term of "Mechan-
les" Whatever they are, l hope you
will find them more easy than here
tofore, and will be able to conquer at
least their elementary principles. 1t is
not expected that a student at col
lege will be able to understand any of
the branches of science so thoroughly
as the professors, but knowledge of
them to a certain extent is expected
One great object of the study of math
enaties is to strengthen the mind
and accustom itself to the investiga-
ton of other subjects. 1t is very i'm
portant to think right and investi-
gate every subject coming under our
observation. One reason of so many
imprudent acts in the common bust
ness of life is the want of thought and
deliberate investigation. MATHEMATICS
has always been held as very import
ant to the profession OF law, so much
of the success of a lawyer depends up
on thorough investigation, and / might
add, mathematical demonstration. Err
ror in Judgment almost invariably
arises from not exercising the reason
ing faculties. / make these remarks
to show you that the study of mathe
mates ought by no means to be dis
carded, but to be studied as well as
other branches with diligence and
alacrity If you cannot understand the
as much knowledge as you can. You
are so expert in the other studies, es-
pecially the languages, that any re-
marks of mine would be superfiuous
With your capacity, we expect much
reputation as a scholar.
But there is one thing l cannot too
often enjoin. l mean the cultivation of
pleasant manners and address, and
Z, o1A avt
last is the basis of the former. You
must ever bear in mind the friendship
and attachment of your instructors,
and then of your classmates. | 90
not mean a blind subserviency to the
faculty, nor low, affected friendship
to your companions; but to exhibit to
all a gentlemanly, highminded deport-
ment endeavoring to please without
appearing anxious to do SO. Expert
ence every day, convtnces me how
much of esteem and success IN the
world depends on pleasant manners.
And no part of the outward character
of young man is, perhaps, SO import
ant as his voice. Cultivate your voice,
and an easy, interesting conversation
is the natural consequence. Who are
the orators and the distinguished men
of ancient and modern times, and III
our own day and in our own country?
They are men who speak tiuently, and
possess o musical voice ! hope you
will never cease to cultivate this
manly grace. Be assured that this,
with honesty Of purpose and knowl-
edge is the surest passport to favor
and success. 1t is almost the only
thing in which / fear you are def1e-
lent TO improve 1t you must often de-
claim and accustom yourself to debate
in your societies. Never omit this
duty when it comes around to you.
Don't for moment entertain the be-
lief that you have no taste or talent
for public speaking. You have good
pleasant voice. and a good command
of language. You want nothing but
practice TO secure this accomplish
ment l could enlarge on this topic,
but the shades of evening admonish
me to bring this epistle to close,
which | do by subscribing myself,
Your affectionate father.
Nothing new except the death and
burial of Mrs. Albert Merrill, formerly
Amelia Quimby.