10 THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE MIND. Ego nee studium sine diorite iena Ne crude quid profit, video, ingenium ; alterius sic 4lteraposcit opera res, et conjurat amice. Hor. de Art. Poet. Thus made English : Concerning poets there has been contest, Whether they're made by art or nature best But if I may presume in this affair, Among the rest my judgment to declare, No art without a genius will avail, And parts without the help of art will fail : But both ingredients jointly must unite, Or verse will never shinewith a transcendant light.Oldham. It is meditation and studious thought, it is the exercise of your own reason and judgment upon all you read, that gives goodsense even to the best genius, and affords your understand- ing the truest improvement. A boy of strong memorymay repeat a whole book of Euclid, yet be no Geometrician ; for he may not be able perhaps to demonstrate one single theorem. Memorino has learnt half the Bible by heart, and is become a living con- cordance and a speaking index to theological folios, and yet he understands little of divinity. A' well furnished library and a capacious memory, are in- deed of singular use toward the improvement of the mind ; but if all your learning be nothing else but a mere amassment of what others have written, without a due penetration into their meaning, and without a judicious choice and determination of your pwn sentiments, I do not see what title your head has to true learning above your shelves. Though you have read Philosophy andTheo- logy, Morals and Metaphysics in abundance, and every other art and science, yet if your memory is the only faculty employ- ed, with the neglect of your reasoning powers, you can justly claim nohigher character but that of a good historian of the sci- ences. Herenote, Many ofthe foregoing advicesare more peen- liarly proper for those- who are conceited of their abilities, and areready to entertain a high opinion of themselves. But a mo- dest humble youth of a good genius, should not suffer himself to be discouraged by any of these considerations. They are designed only as a spur to diligence, and a guard against vanity and pride. VI. Be not so weak as to imagine that a life of learning is a life of laziness and ease: Dare not give up yourself to anyof the learned professions unless you are resolved to labour hard at study, and can make it your delight, and the joy of your life, according to the motto of our late Lord Chancellor Ring. La- bor ipse voluptas. It is no idle thing to be a scholar indeed. 4 man much addicted to luxury and pleasure, .recreation and pas-
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