THE PURSUIT OF KNOWLEDGE. 223 



advancement of the human species in literature and the arts, who 

 themselves have stood on the pinnacle of the temple of science and 

 of learning, have, with comparatively few exceptions, belonged to 

 that interesting class, the self-taught. Individuals whose fame has 

 been acquired by their own unaided exertions, and who seem to have 

 been deeply imbued with the sentiment of Cicero, where he says — 

 " In scientia excellere pulchrum putamus ; labi autem, errare, 

 decipi, et malum et turpe ducimus." Candidates for immortal 

 honours, who have just commenced the race, take courage from these 

 examples of persevering patience and unflinching toil so worthy of 

 your imitation. Science is as yet in her infancy, and those great 

 minds who have gone before you have left the fields of universal 

 knowledge still unexplored. They have only, as it were, penetrated 

 the outer wall of her sanctuary, and lo ! what a radiance has issued 

 forth ! What will it be when the veil of the temple shall be with- 

 drawn to illuminate the darkness of the soul of man. Oh ! think, we 

 beseech you, what an amount of blessedness you may be the means 

 of bestowing on your fellow men if you are diligent in improving 

 every opportunity of cultivating your minds; by employing those 

 hours in study which are generally devoted to idle conversation, you 

 may take your station in the first rank of these bright examples, as 

 kindred spirits ; it may even fall to your lot to dispel the twilight 

 daikness that still obscures the temple of science ; and then how 

 mightily will the progressive improvement of mankind be accele- 

 rated ! How will ignorance and superstition, crime and despotism, 

 bow like a bulrush before the wind ; and be aimihilated by the regene- 

 rating impulse of physical and mental energy which already begins to 

 herald the progress of genius, and the dominion of truth. 



J. B. 



