GLASGOW COLLEGE INTRODUCTORY LECTURE. 825 
mind that a good name is in all cases the fruit of personal 
exertion. It is not inherited from parents; it is not created 
by external advantages; it is no necessary appendage of birth, 
or wealth, or talents, or station; but the result of one’s own 
endeavours. This is the more important to be remarked, 
because it shows that the attainment of a good name, what¬ 
ever he your external circumstances, is entirely within your 
own power. No young man, however humble his birth or 
obscure his condition, is excluded from this invaluable boon. 
He has only to fix his eye upon the prize, and press towards 
it, in a course of virtuous and useful conduct, and it is his; 
and it is interesting to notice how many of our worthiest and 
best citizens have risen to honour and usefulness by dint of 
their own persevering exertions. They are to be found in 
great numbers in each of the learned professions, and in 
every department of business; and they stand forth bright 
and animating examples of what can be accomplished by 
resolution and effort. Nothing great or excellent can be 
acquired without it. A good name will not come without 
being sought. You should guard with peculiar vigilance 
this forming, fixing season of your existence ; and let the 
precious days and hours that are now passing by you be 
diligently occupied in acquiring those habits of intelligence, 
of virtue and enterprise, which are so essential to the honour 
and success of future life. 
Young men are in general but little aware how much their 
reputation is affected in the eyes of the public by the com¬ 
pany they keep. The character of their associates is soon 
regarded as their own. If they seek the society of the worthy 
and respectable, it elevates them in the public estimation, as 
it is an evidence that they respect themselves, and are desi¬ 
rous to secure the respect of others. On the contrary, inti¬ 
macy with persons of a bad character always sinks a young 
man in the eye of the public; while he, perhaps, in inter¬ 
course with such persons, thinks but little of the conse¬ 
quences, others are making their remarks; they learn what 
his taste is, what sort of company he prefers, and predict, on 
no doubtful ground, Avhat will be the issue of his OAvn prin¬ 
ciples and character. There are young men in the city, and 
those, too, who have no mean opinion of themselves, to be 
intimate with whom would be as much as one’s reputation 
is worth ; and let me add, that a young man, especially in 
this place, may choose his company. If he wishes for good 
society, he can find it; if he respects himself, he will be 
respected. Consider the importance of a good name to your 
success in the world. Your reputation is better to you than 
