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. 

 Herd, 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 

 tl^e 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 



