“Three questions I put to you in recent letters. These, supposing me simply a common acquaintance, and in a position to ask the questions, should have been promptly5 answered, and it is but reasonable to claim what is due to any Mr. Jones or Mr. Jobson. Without self-command enough to be punctual and methodical, you cannot realize your plans as to more serious things than I now write about; nor, indeed, can you do anything effective in study without it. Read as much as you will, it will be like filling the sieve6 of the Danaids. But to drop fine metaphors7 and come to plain English, in heaven’s name begin to be wide awake to the common exigencies8 and observances of life. You can see distant and abstracted things well enough; but in such common things as are understood and practised by every boy behind a counter who is worth his salt, you are in the state of a blind puppy in the straw. I do not speak with the least anger on the subject; but, as a man of common worldly sense, I cannot too pointedly9 and forcibly urge on you, that without a complete alteration11 in this respect, everything of real importance which you attempt in the business of life will be an absolute failure. You swear by Scott. Recollect12 Athelstan the Unready. He gives ample proof of both[51] high valour and sound sense, and, when roused from his ruminative13 state, is even forcibly eloquent14 (where he floors the insolence15 of De Bracy). Yet he is the butt16 of the whole piece, because he is always ten minutes after time in thought and action; albeit17 he is by nature a finer character than Cedric, and twice as big and well-born. But everyone minds Cedric because he knows his own will and purpose, and carries it out promptly, with the power of seeing such things as are directly before his nose.”
George’s reply appears to have contained some statement as to his intentions in the matter of reading, as well as satisfactory answers to the neglected questions. Your grandfather, however, returns to the charge again:—
“I fully18 believe you have every desire and intention to follow up the course I wish, though your own experience in the vacation must have shown you that this desire is not enough unless backed by determination and method. I should not wish you to debar yourself of the full portion of healthy exercise desirable at your age, which is like ‘the meat and mass which hindereth no man,’ as our quaint4 old English expresses it. But I certainly wish you to recollect that the present year” [1838—he was seventeen] “is one of the most important in your life, as you are just of the age when the character forms itself one way or the other, and when time becomes valuable in a double degree. You told me of your own accord that your wish was to distinguish yourself at Oxford19. If you are as certain as I am that this wish is a wise and desirable one, the next point is, to let it become one of those determinations which are only qualified20 by ‘Deo volente.’ With the foundation which has been already laid, the thing is undoubtedly21 in[52] your power, with life and health; and, if these fail us, the fault lies not in ourselves. The secret of attaining22 any point is, not so much in the quantity of time bestowed24 on it at regular and stated intervals25, as in the strong will and inclination26 which makes it a matter of curiosity and interest, recurring27 to us at odds28 and ends of time, and never out of the mind; a labour of inclination rather than a matter of duty—a chase, as it were, of a wild duck” [we lived close to a river where wild ducks bred], “instead of a walk for the promotion29 of health and appetite. This sort of interest anyone may create on anything he pleases: for it is an artificial taste, not perhaps so easily understood at your time of life.... Industry in one’s vocation30, when an honest and creditable one, is a Christian31 duty, although followed by persons indifferent to anything but self-interest. And it usually pleases God so to dispose of the course of events, that those best qualified to be useful to others in their generation have the best prospect32 of success in it.... The knowledge of history, divinity, and the dead languages, which you are now acquiring, are the basis of a liberal education, and play into each other as naturally as the hilt of a weapon fits the blade: these therefore are the points of leading interest in your life, in which your push should be made. Composition also is a valuable thing, in order to impart clearly to others what you know yourself, and prevent your candle from being hid under a bushel; and nothing bears a higher value in the world than this faculty33. Mathematics are good, as they strengthen the attention and clear the head. In these I see you took a first class, and as I think you have a turn for them, I trust you will hold your present footing without sacrificing things which hereafter may be more essential. A fair progress in modern languages is not to be neglected; but the great points of interest are such as I have laid down, viz. knowledge of[53] the connexion, and leading features, of sacred and profane34 history; a true digestion35 of it in your head, and the power of clearly expressing whatever thoughts arise from it; and a critical acquaintance with the original languages from which the knowledge is derived36. This, I have no doubt, will correspond with Dr. Arnold’s ideas as to the objects and direction of study in your case. In short, make up your mind what you will do, what you will be, and what portion of success you may fairly hope for by fairly pointing your nose to the desirable end; then keep it pointed10 there as steadily37 as the pin of the dial (‘gnomon’ if you want to be learned). And remember, that the more irksome any habit is in its formation, the more pleasantly and satisfactorily it sticks to you when formed. Order and clockwork in small things is what you want. Exempli gratia, the key of the pew-box gave us a long hunt the other day, till in going to church we found it sticking in the lock. Then, none of you ever put a book in its place again. N. S—— does, because he learned the habit from compulsion, and it has become second nature.”
“Donnington, 1839.
“Your mother and grandmother are both anxious that some destination should be early fixed38 for all of you; but on this I, who am more answerable, am rather cautious; feeling that much depends on what your own habits and predilections39 may be. At all events the right basis of every one’s education is this—to love God and your neighbour, and do your duty with diligence in whatever state of life circumstances may place you. No one can live in vain acting40 on these principles, and whatever tends not to their establishment is of very trifling41 importance. I have no time to pursue the subject further at present, as this is a busy morning, and your mother will want a good[54] share of this paper. I have begun another folio to Jack42. N.B. You always have luck when I begin a letter, as I take a folio sheet in the spirit of foresight43. Wat never brought his fishing-rod in; he is old enough now to cultivate orderly habits, and eschew44 (not chew) mouse pie. N.B. Eschew comes from Teutonic schauern, to shudder45 at.”
Again in 1840, referring to this indolent, easy-going habit, your grandfather writes:—
“The temper of mind which I mean is often allied46 (and in your case I trust and believe it is) to certain qualities, good in a social and Christian sense: candour, good nature, and a contented47 spirit; just as certain peculiar48 weeds are frequently the indication of a sound and wholesome49 staple50 of soil: but then they are weeds, and it is a Christian duty to eradicate51 them in the labourer responsible for the care of the soil. In this respect the children of this world are the wisest in their generation. We may safely take examples of skill, activity, and abiding52 interest in a purpose, from the worst and most selfish men; and those who are wise, as well as good, do take the example, and profit by it. Not but that young persons constitutionally indolent, if they are also conscientious53 in their duty to their friends, and correct in the general notion that industry in a calling is a duty, do complete their stated hours of study in an honest and competent manner. And this is precisely54 your case; a case which has put me in an awkward position in pointing out your deficiencies. It is an ungracious thing to tease and spur a tractable55, good-tempered horse, who trots56 his seven miles an hour of his own accord, even when you know that he has the blood and power in him to go up to the best hounds with due training, and it is hard to treat[55] one’s son worse than one’s horse (or than one’s servants, for your mother truly taxes me with not keeping my household tightly up to their duties). These deficiencies nevertheless exist, and are indicated by many small traits. Now, indolence in my sense, and as applied57 to you, is exactly in the correct sense of the word—‘in’ (non) and ‘doleo,’ viz., as the Scots say, ‘canna be fashed’—cannot, unless led by some moral duty, or exigence of society, jump upon my legs and go about some little, teasing, but necessary five minutes’ errand, or turn my mind for the same time, by a sudden jerk, to something which breaks up the prevailing58 train of thought. This is a constitutional failing of my own, and I have been forced to establish rules in some things to break it through. But I never was tempted59 by it so as to leave anything to chance where any favourite project was concerned; here I expended60 perhaps too much accuracy and double diligence. Hence I fear the evil is more deeply seated in you. The last example is this:—On inspecting and laying up the two double guns, I found the inside of one rusty61, the other black from careless cleaning. Now, no thoroughbred sportsman ever contents himself, when laying up his tools in ordinary, with trusting to his servant’s care, and not his own eye, in cleaning. Yet you are a good shot—doubtless because you like shooting, and employ while in the field all the power of your mind and body to attain23 your purpose. What is wanting is, the submission62 to dry detail (id quod dolet). But no one can be a thorough and efficient master of anything who cannot see to details. Pump away with all your might, and welcome, but your labour will be thrown away if you won’t submit to stop the leaks in your tub. It is exactly from the same temper that I have seen you take up a book in company when rather dull. True, the book is the more sensible companion, but the time and place prescribes ‘quod dolet,’ though not[56] so agreeable, or edifying63. Thus it is in fifty things, all arguing a want of that order, and exactness, resulting from the due division of the mind. I could even argue it from the trifling trait of your never carrying a tassel64 to wipe your arrows with, and leaving your books open on the table for the maids to spill ink or dust on. I can prescribe for you in future in these respects, if you will trust yourself to me cheerfully, and not look aguish and woe-begone when spurred up to the mark by a word in season.”
And again in 1842:—
“As an illustration is necessary to a theme, suppose two garden engines of equal capacity, one leaky and loosely constructed, the other well staunched, which does not waste a drop of water. You may cobble and plug up the first pro3 tem., and by working it with a strong arm make it play well: anon it leaketh again, and without a strong and troublesome effort it is no go. The second is tight and compact at a moment’s notice, and throws its stream with precision, just as much as is wanted, and where it is wanted—
φων?ντα συνετο?σιν.
“I think there has been some improvement this year in your briskness65 and precision, but there is room for more. Straws show which way the wind blows. Videlicet, the not having looked in the calendar.[9] Then you keep your watch with your razors, and never can tell me what’s o’clock. With respect to your capacity for giving your might and main to a subject, when you are at it, I know enough to be well satisfied, and have no criticism to make.”
[9] As to sending in prize exercises at Oxford. A copy of his was too late.
[57]
The last reference of this kind which I find in your grandfather’s letters, which we’re always carefully preserved by George, occurs in 1846. After referring to an omission66 to notice the transfer of some money to his account, your grandfather goes on:—
“By the bye, I certainly am under the impression that you shrink from the trouble of details and cares of this kind; the same impression which I entertained five or six years ago. You must yourself know best whether I am right or not, and it is now of importance that you should candidly67 ask yourself the question, and, if self-convicted, turn completely over a new leaf, on account of having others soon to act and manage for, as master of a house. I need hardly tell you I suppose that, in all points of paramount68 importance, your character has formed in a manner which has given me thorough satisfaction, and that your friends and relatives have just reason for appreciating you highly as a member of society. I will also add, and with truth, that I know no man of your age, who, if placed in a difficult situation, would in my opinion act with more sense, firmness, and discretion69; and this is much indeed. But the possession of a naturally decisive and influential70 character is just what requires digested method in small and necessary things; otherwise the defect is more ridiculously anomalous71 than in a scatter-brained fellow, whom no one looks up to, or consults. It is a godsend if a beggar is any better than barefoot, but what would you say to a well-dressed man otherwise, who had forgotten his feet, and came into a drawing-room with a pair of greasy72 slippers73? Without buttering you up, yours happens to be a character which, to round it off consistently and properly, demands accuracy in small and irksome things. In some respects[58] I really think you have acquired this; in others, are acquiring it; and have no doubt that when ten years older, you will have progressed in a suitable degree. Meantime, if you are conscious that anything is wanting in these respects, it is high time now to put on the steam.”
As a slight illustration of the effect of these letters, I may add here, that to the end of his life, when he came in from shooting, my brother never rested until he had cleaned his gun with his own hands. When asked why he did not leave it to the keeper, he said he preferred its being done at once, and thoroughly74; and the only way of being sure of that, was to do it himself. In some respects, however, he never got over his constitutional love of taking things easily, and avoiding bother and trouble.
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1
memoir
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| n.[pl.]回忆录，自传；记事录 | |
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luncheon
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| n.午宴，午餐，便宴 | |
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pro
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| n.赞成，赞成的意见，赞成者 | |
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4
quaint
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| adj.古雅的，离奇有趣的，奇怪的 | |
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promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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sieve
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| n.筛，滤器，漏勺 | |
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7
metaphors
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| 隐喻( metaphor的名词复数 ) | |
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8
exigencies
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| n.急切需要 | |
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pointedly
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| adv.尖地，明显地 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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alteration
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| n.变更，改变；蚀变 | |
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recollect
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| v.回忆，想起，记起，忆起，记得 | |
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ruminative
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| adj.沉思的，默想的，爱反复思考的 | |
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eloquent
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| adj.雄辩的，口才流利的；明白显示出的 | |
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15
insolence
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| n.傲慢；无礼；厚颜；傲慢的态度 | |
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butt
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| n.笑柄；烟蒂；枪托；臀部；v.用头撞或顶 | |
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17
albeit
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| conj.即使；纵使；虽然 | |
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18
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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Oxford
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| n.牛津（英国城市） | |
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qualified
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| adj.合格的，有资格的，胜任的，有限制的 | |
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21
undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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22
attaining
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| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的现在分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
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attain
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| vt.达到，获得，完成 | |
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bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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inclination
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| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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recurring
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| adj.往复的，再次发生的 | |
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odds
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| n.让步，机率，可能性，比率；胜败优劣之别 | |
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promotion
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| n.提升，晋级；促销，宣传 | |
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vocation
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| n.职业，行业 | |
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Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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faculty
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| n.才能；学院，系；(学院或系的)全体教学人员 | |
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profane
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| adj.亵神的，亵渎的；vt.亵渎，玷污 | |
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digestion
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| n.消化，吸收 | |
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derived
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| vi.起源；由来；衍生；导出v.得到( derive的过去式和过去分词 )；（从…中）得到获得；源于；（从…中）提取 | |
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37
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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39
predilections
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| n.偏爱，偏好，嗜好( predilection的名词复数 ) | |
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acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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trifling
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| adj.微不足道的；没什么价值的 | |
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42
jack
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| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
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43
foresight
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| n.先见之明，深谋远虑 | |
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44
eschew
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| v.避开，戒绝 | |
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45
shudder
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| v.战粟，震动，剧烈地摇晃；n.战粟，抖动 | |
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46
allied
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| adj.协约国的；同盟国的 | |
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47
contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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48
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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wholesome
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| adj.适合；卫生的；有益健康的；显示身心健康的 | |
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50
staple
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| n.主要产物，常用品，主要要素，原料，订书钉，钩环；adj.主要的，重要的；vt.分类 | |
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51
eradicate
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| v.根除，消灭，杜绝 | |
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52
abiding
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| adj.永久的，持久的，不变的 | |
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53
conscientious
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| adj.审慎正直的，认真的，本着良心的 | |
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54
precisely
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| adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地 | |
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55
tractable
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| adj.易驾驭的；温顺的 | |
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56
trots
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| 小跑，急走( trot的名词复数 )； 匆匆忙忙地走 | |
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57
applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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58
prevailing
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| adj.盛行的；占优势的；主要的 | |
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59
tempted
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| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
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60
expended
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| v.花费( expend的过去式和过去分词 )；使用（钱等）做某事；用光；耗尽 | |
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61
rusty
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| adj.生锈的；锈色的；荒废了的 | |
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submission
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| n.服从，投降；温顺，谦虚；提出 | |
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63
edifying
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| adj.有教训意味的，教训性的，有益的v.开导，启发( edify的现在分词 ) | |
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64
tassel
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| n.流苏，穗；v.抽穗， （玉米）长穗须 | |
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briskness
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| n.敏捷，活泼 | |
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omission
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| n.省略，删节；遗漏或省略的事物，冗长 | |
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67
candidly
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| adv.坦率地，直率而诚恳地 | |
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paramount
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| a.最重要的，最高权力的 | |
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discretion
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| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
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influential
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| adj.有影响的，有权势的 | |
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71
anomalous
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| adj.反常的；不规则的 | |
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greasy
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| adj. 多脂的，油脂的 | |
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73
slippers
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| n. 拖鞋 | |
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thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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