FRANCIS IVILLUGHBY. 
141 
cation in classical and mathematical learning in 
the first part of his life. His early proficiency 
in these may be inferred from his ready use of 
the Latin language, in which all his papers were 
written, and from his correspondence with Dr 
Barrow on mathematical subjects, which took 
place when he was only twenty-seven years of 
age. To the habits of correct reasoning, minute, 
and universal observation, extensive acquaintance 
with nature, and scientific truth thus acquired, may 
be ascribed that excellence in the great variety 
of departments which he attained even before 
the powers of his mind had reached their matu- 
rity. The mental habits derived from the exclu- 
sive study of classics and mathematics' during a 
considerable period in the first part of education, 
render accurate and extensive acquirements in 
any department to which the attention may after- 
wards be turned both sure and easy, while, for 
the want of this early training, the best wishes 
and most desirable advantages are often rendered 
useless. It may serve to abate the impatience 
of some youthful students, who, amid the fatigues 
of learning languages, and of pursuing what, in 
ancient phraseology, were most happily called 
“the exact sciences,” may sigh' for what they 
deem the more congenial pursuits of Natural 
History, to assure them, that till they are possessed 
of the mental discipline to be derived from their 
appointed studies alone, attention to Zoology, or 
to any other branch of natural philosophy, would 
but dissipate their energies already acquired, and 
