A STUDENT IN YALE COLLEGE. 41 



the other evening, while I was in her company, I cannot 

 tell. It is the lot of all mankind to be liked by some, and 

 disliked by others ; and she, among the rest, has a right to 

 her opinion. These little incidents ought to prompt me to 

 acquire something more durable for my harbinger into the 

 world than the smiles of a woman ; although I would wish, 

 if possible, to live upon good terms with the whole sex ; 

 but, if the contrary is my lot, I will in silence kiss the rod. 



In the afternoon I did little to effect, for while I was 

 engaged in a number of things, nothing was finally done. 

 Here, then, I may see the importance of seizing upon some 

 one object, and there bending all my whole force. For, while 

 the mind is engaged in a number of pursuits, none will be 

 followed with assiduity, and thus, by aiming at too much, 

 we often lose the whole. I just now begin, toward the last 

 part of my college life, to discover that I am a mere infant 

 in learning. It seems as if I had only obtained a sufficient 

 degree of knowledge to discover my own ignorance. Then 

 let me faithfully improve my time while it is still present. 



1796; Jan. 1. . . . . It was my intention to have 

 attended a family ball this evening, but indisposition pre 

 vented, and I spent a great part of the evening at Prince's 

 room. Returning to my room this afternoon, I observed a 

 poor old beggar in the entry adjoining my room, and locked 

 my door against him ; but I was soon forced by the admoni 

 tions of that faithful monitor, conscience, to open it. Sup 

 posing this should ever be my lot, should I wish to have 

 the door of the rich shut against me ? Certainly I should 

 esteem it a very great hardship ! But nothing is more 

 possible than that this may one day be my situation. 

 Then let me no more lock my doors against the miserable 

 whose wants very possibly I may relieve, or^ at least allevi 

 ate. How can I ask blessings from the Divine hand, which 

 I refuse to confer upon a miserable fellow-mortal ? I rep 

 robate this action of mine, and would willingly efface it 

 from my memory ! As this poor old beggar was going 



