iv.j EDUCATION. 257 



there would remain plenty of time for that 

 variety of work which is so highly prized, as- 

 ready access to books ; much reading of interest- 

 ing literature, history and poetry ; languages 

 learnt, probably best during the vacations, in the 

 easiest and swiftest manner, with the sole object 

 of enabling the learners to read ordinary books 

 in them. This seems sufficient, because my 

 returns show that men of science are not made 

 by much teaching, but rather by awakening their 

 interests, encouraging their pursuits when at 

 home, and leaving them to teach themselves 

 continuously throughout life. Much teaching 

 fills a youth with knowledge, but tends pre- 

 maturely to satiate his appetite for more. I am 

 surprised at the mediocre degrees which the 

 leading scientific men who were at the univer- 

 sities have usually taken, always excepting the 

 mathematicians. Being original, they are na- 

 turally less receptive ; they prefer to fix of their 

 own accord on certain subjects, and seem averse 

 to learn what is put before them as a task. 

 Their independence of spirit and coldness of dis- 

 position are not conducive to success in com- 



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