SOLON ROBINSON, 1841 235 



that degree of honor and fame which is ever within the 

 reach of him who will earnestly court the lovely Goddess 

 of Learning, who is now hovering over your lowly cabin, 

 with an open book in one hand, and a crowning wreath 

 of Fame's bright flowers in the other, earnestly inviting 

 you to peruse the pleasant pages of the one, and ever 

 wear the fascinating enjoyment of the other. 



There are many now before me, to whom nature and 

 education has been more bountiful, and if I have been 

 enabled to mount one of the steps of the temple of Fame, 

 it is because I have been more persevering in self-exer- 

 tion, in acquiring the ability to add to my own happiness, 

 while I am endeavoring to do good to my fellow creatures, 

 which I humbly hope I have done in some degree, this 

 day. And as I hope to live, I hope to be blessed with the 

 ability to do much more. And I most particularly hope 

 that what I have here addressed to youth, may encour- 

 age them to exercise their abilities to acquire knowledge. 

 Be assured it is not a toilsome task that I urge upon you. 

 You will find it a path of roses. You will find pleasure 

 increase with every step as you press onward. But you 

 must never expect to reach that point beyond which you 

 can go no farther. You may forever continue to ascend 

 the temple of learning, without danger of reaching that 

 point where you might stop and mourn that you could 

 ascend no higher. And it is the first steps only that are 

 rugged. The higher you ascend, the more easy is the 

 way. The farmer's occupation, and the calm and quiet 

 of a country fireside, are congenial to the developement 

 of the human mind, and if we can arouse the youth to 

 make sufficient exertion to overcome the first rugged 

 steps, they will be sure to ascend till honor, fame and use- 

 fulness crown their efforts. — How great are the induce- 

 ments of every enlightened member of society, to actively 

 unite his efforts with ours in the great and good cause 

 of human improvement. 



I pray you to forgive the little egotism of my allusions 

 to myself, for I have only done so to illustrate my argu- 



