Rensselaer Union, Volume 8, Number 49, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 August 1876 — Education of Practical Men. [ARTICLE]

Education of Practical Men.

To any young man who is obliged to educate himself, it may toe safely stated that no other study or labor will be nearly so profitable as that which is necessary to acquire a thorough knowledge of the three elementary branches named above, (reading, writing and arithmetic, (if he has not already mastered them. If he do not know how to read and spell with perfect facility, no labor should be spared, day or night, until he has acquired that knowledge. Next he should learn how to write legibly and correctly. Without being able to do *his, it will ‘be impossible for him to fill nay ordinary positions of trust, or transact «ny business which is at all remunerative. In fact, it may be set down as being absolutely impossible for an engineer or me--chanic to rise in his occupation withont knowing liow to read and write with at least tolerable correctness. If, therefore, we are addressing any one who has been so unfortunate as not to have acquired that knowledge in youth, let them not be content until they have learned to read mith 'fe/’ft/tVff i/% mnjtJJ fin ft £t% a/iy*/* IffifiX- _ 7 ttL yaWy % W Cv/TLCMy w Hvblp. We italicise this, so as to make it j appear as definite as possible. In doing this, get a teacher to assist you, and have regular times for recitations ami don’t allow any except absolutely necessary causes

to prevent you from receiving your lesson. By having a teacher and times for recitation, it will prevent you to some extent at least from neglecting the study without which it will be imiKXwihle to succeed. This neglect and weariness will be the greatest difficulty in the way of learning. The study and the task will soon grow monotonous, and pleasure appear much more attractive. The student who is obliged (o educate himself mutt bare persistence, and be should lay to heart the fact that If he nndertakes to accomplish any good purpose, and fails on account of his own fault, his capacity for overcoming difficulties is weakened thereby; but If he jK'rseveres and tureeedt, his character is strengthened by the effort lie has made and the result achieved. To begin a task of this kind, therefore, and to give up, fail and break down in a miserably indolent and cowardly way, is an indication that a person has not the stuff in him which deserves success. We have set the task for the first step: Uie next will be to learn arithmetic and natural philosophy, These two studies are regarded as of next importance to a young mechanic or engineer. Grammar and geography may be put off until a later period. If lie acquires the knowledge we have indicated thoroughly, he will then be able to make use of the information which he will find scattered all about him in the shop or on the road or suggested by his daily duties; but without knowing how to read, write, make calculations, and with no acquaintance with natural laws, he will be like a man who is blind. He cannot see or comprehend what is about him. k The importance of acquiring this elementary information cannot be impressed too strongly. As some one has said, it is the first step which costs and is the most difficult. Some warning should be given about the purchase and reading of books. It is hardly ever safe or wise to buy a book without knowing something about it. At present there are large numbers of socalled scientific books published which are almost worthless. They are printed by publishers who are either ignorant or indifferent about their value, ana are published to sell. There is so much good literature relating to scientific and engineering subjects now that it is quite unnecessary to waste time over poor books. We will finish with Sidney Smith’s advice: ‘‘Take short views of life.” Don’t undertake to do too much, or anything too Hastily; but having after due consideration commenced to study any subject, bang on with invincible courage and persistence until it has been mastered. Sometimes a comparatively useless undertaking may be worth completing in order to avoid the demoralizing effect which a surrender entails. But don’t lay out more work than can be done. There are only twen-ty-four hours in a day, ten of which belong to your employers, so that the time you can devote to self-education is limited, and if you are wise you will aim to make the best out of the little time at your disposal.— Railroad Gazette.