Round Boys in Square Holes

The high prize of life, the crowning fortune of a man, is to be born with a bias to some pursuit, which finds him in employment and happiness.—EMERSON.

The greatest prize in life, a man's crowning fortune, is to be born drawn to a pursuit that brings him work and happiness. Emerson.

There is hardly a poet, artist, philosopher, or man of science mentioned in the history of the human intellect, whose genius was not opposed by parents, guardians, or teachers. In these cases Nature seems to have triumphed by direct interposition; to have insisted on her darlings having their rights, and encouraged disobedience, secrecy, falsehood, even flight from home and occasional vagabondism, rather than the world should lose what it cost her so much pains to produce.—E. P. WHIPPLE.

Hardly any poet, artist, philosopher, or scientist in the history of human thought escaped opposition to their genius from parents, guardians, or teachers. In these cases, Nature seems to have intervened directly to secure victory. She seems to have insisted that her favorites have their rights. She even encouraged disobedience, secrecy, lying, running away from home, and occasional wandering. She did so rather than let the world lose what had cost her so much effort to produce. E. P. WHIPPLE.

"James Watt, I never saw such an idle young fellow as you are," said his grandmother; "do take a book and employ yourself usefully. For the last half-hour you have not spoken a single word. Do you know what you have been doing all this time? Why, you have taken off and replaced, and taken off again, the teapot lid, and you have held alternately in the steam, first a saucer and then a spoon, and you have busied yourself in examining and, collecting together the little drops formed by the condensation of the steam on the surface of the china and the silver. Now, are you not ashamed to waste your time in this disgraceful manner?"

"James Watt, I have never seen such an idle young fellow," said his grandmother. "Please take a book and do something useful. You haven't spoken a single word for the last half hour. Do you know what you've been doing all that time? You've taken the lid off the teapot, put it back, and taken it off again. You've held a saucer and then a spoon in the steam. You've been busy examining and collecting the little drops formed when the steam condensed on the china and silver. Aren't you ashamed to waste your time in such a disgraceful way?"

The world has certainly gained much through the old lady's failure to tell James how he could employ his time to better advantage!

The world has certainly gained much because the old lady failed to tell James how to use his time better!

"But I'm good for something," pleaded a young man whom a merchant was about to discharge for his bluntness. "You are good for nothing as a salesman," said his employer. "I am sure I can be useful," said the youth. "How? Tell me how." "I don't know, sir, I don't know." "Nor do I," said the merchant, laughing at the earnestness of his clerk. "Only don't put me away, sir, don't put me away. Try me at something besides selling. I cannot sell; I know I cannot sell." "I know that, too," said the principal; "that is what is wrong." "But I can make myself useful somehow," persisted the young man; "I know I can." He was placed in the counting-house, where his aptitude for figures soon showed itself, and in a few years he became not only chief cashier in the large store, but an eminent accountant.

"But I'm good for something," pleaded a young man. A merchant was about to fire him for being blunt. "You are no good as a salesman," his employer said. "I'm sure I can be useful," the young man said. "How? Tell me how." "I don't know, sir, I don't know." "Neither do I," said the merchant, laughing at how earnest his clerk was. "Just don't let me go, sir, don't let me go. Try me at something besides selling. I can't sell, I know I can't sell." "I know that too," said his employer. "That's the problem." "But I can make myself useful somehow," the young man insisted. "I know I can." He was given a job in the accounting office, where his talent for numbers soon became clear. Within a few years, he became the large store's chief cashier and a distinguished accountant.

You cannot look into a cradle and read the secret message traced by a divine hand and wrapped up in that bit of clay, any more than you can see the North Star in the magnetic needle. God has loaded the needle of that young life so it will point to the star of its own destiny; and though you may pull it around by artificial advice and unnatural education, and compel it to point to the star which presides over poetry, art, law, medicine, or whatever your own pet calling is until you have wasted years of a precious life, yet, when once free, the needle flies back to its own star.

You cannot look into a cradle and read the secret message written by a divine hand in that little bit of clay. You can no more read that message than you can see the North Star in a compass needle. God has set the needle of that young life to point to the star of its own destiny. You may turn it with artificial advice and unnatural education. You may force it to point to the star of poetry, art, law, medicine, or whatever career you favor. You may even waste years of a precious life doing so. Yet once the needle is free, it flies back to its own star.

"Rue it as he may, repent it as he often does," says Robert Waters, "the man of genius is drawn by an irresistible impulse to the occupation for which he was created. No matter by what difficulties surrounded, no matter how unpromising the prospect, this occupation is the only one which he will pursue with interest and pleasure. When his efforts fail to procure means of subsistence, and he finds himself poor and neglected, he may, like Burns, often look back with a sigh and think how much better off he would be had he pursued some other occupation, but he will stick to his favorite pursuit nevertheless."

"Much as he may regret it, and often does," says Robert Waters, "a man of genius feels an irresistible urge to pursue the work he was created to do. No matter what difficulties surround him or how poor his prospects, this is the only work he will pursue with interest and pleasure. His efforts may fail to earn him a living, leaving him poor and neglected. Like Burns, he may often look back with a sigh and think how much better off he would be in another occupation. But he will stick to his favorite pursuit nevertheless."

Civilization will mark its highest tide when every man has chosen his proper work. No man can be ideally successful until he has found his place. Like a locomotive, he is strong on the track, but weak anywhere else. "Like a boat on a river," says Emerson, "every boy runs against obstructions on every side but one. On that side all obstruction is taken away, and he sweeps serenely over a deepening channel into an infinite sea."

Civilization will reach its peak when every man has chosen the work that suits him. No man can achieve ideal success until he has found his place. Like a locomotive, he is strong on the track but weak anywhere else. As Emerson says, "Like a boat on a river, every boy meets obstacles on every side but one. On that side, all obstacles are removed. He glides calmly along a deepening channel into an endless sea."

Only a Dickens can write the history of "Boy Slavery," of boys whose aspirations and longings have been silenced forever by ignorant parents; of boys persecuted as lazy, stupid, or fickle, simply because they were out of their places; of square boys forced into round holes, and oppressed because they did not fit; of boys compelled to pore over dry theological books when the voice within continually cried "Law," "Medicine," "Art," "Science," or "Business"; of boys tortured because they were not enthusiastic in employments which they loathed, and against which every fiber of their being was uttering perpetual protest.

Only a Dickens can write the history of "Boy Slavery." He would tell of boys whose ignorant parents have silenced their hopes and longings forever. He would tell of boys persecuted as lazy, stupid, or fickle simply because they were in the wrong place. They were square boys forced into round holes, then oppressed because they did not fit. Some were forced to study dry books on theology while a voice inside them kept crying "Law," "Medicine," "Art," "Science," or "Business." Others were tortured for lacking enthusiasm for work they hated, work that every fiber of their being constantly protested against.

It is often a narrow selfishness in a father which leads him to wish his son a reproduction of himself. "You are trying to make that boy another you. One is enough," said Emerson. John Jacob Astor's father wished his son to be his successor as a butcher, but the instinct of commercial enterprise was too strong in the future merchant.

A father’s narrow selfishness often makes him want his son to be just like him. "You are trying to make that boy another you. One is enough," said Emerson. John Jacob Astor’s father wanted his son to take over his work as a butcher. But the future merchant’s instinct for business was too strong.

Nature never duplicates men. She breaks the pattern at every birth. The magic combination is never used but once. Frederick the Great was terribly abused because he had a passion for art and music and did not care for military drill. His father hated the fine arts and imprisoned him. He even contemplated killing his son, but his own death placed Frederick on the throne at the age of twenty-eight. This boy, who, because he loved art and music, was thought good for nothing, made Prussia one of the greatest nations of Europe.

Nature never makes two people alike. She breaks the mold with every birth. Each magic combination is used only once. Frederick the Great was terribly abused because he loved art and music and cared nothing for military drills. His father hated the fine arts and imprisoned him. He even considered killing his son, but his own death brought Frederick to the throne at twenty-eight. People thought Frederick was good for nothing because he loved art and music. Yet he made Prussia one of the greatest nations in Europe.

How stupid and clumsy is the blinking eagle at perch, but how keen his glance, how steady and true his curves, when turning his powerful wing against the clear blue sky!

How stupid and clumsy the blinking eagle looks on its perch! But how sharp its gaze and how steady and true its turns as it spreads its powerful wings against the clear blue sky!

Ignorant parents compelled the boy Arkwright to become a barber's apprentice, but Nature had locked up in his brain a cunning device destined to bless humanity and to do the drudgery of millions of England's poor; so he must needs say "hands off" even to his parents, as Christ said to his mother, "Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?"

Arkwright's ignorant parents forced him to become a barber's apprentice. But Nature had locked a clever invention inside his brain. It was destined to bless humanity and do the hard labor of millions of England's poor. So he had to say "hands off" even to his parents, just as Christ said to his mother, "Didn't you know I must be about my Father's business?"

Galileo was set apart for a physician, but when compelled to study anatomy and physiology, he would hide his Euclid and Archimedes and stealthily work out the abstruse problems. He was only eighteen when he discovered the principle of the pendulum in a lamp left swinging in the cathedral at Pisa. He invented both the microscope and telescope, enlarging knowledge of the vast and minute alike.

Galileo was intended to become a physician. But when forced to study anatomy and physiology, he would hide his books by Euclid and Archimedes and secretly work out their difficult problems. He was only eighteen when he discovered the principle of the pendulum by watching a lamp swing in the cathedral at Pisa. He invented both the microscope and the telescope, expanding knowledge of both the vast and the tiny.

The parents of Michael Angelo had declared that no son of theirs should ever follow the discreditable profession of an artist, and even punished him for covering the walls and furniture with sketches; but the fire burning in his breast was kindled by the Divine Artist, and would not let him rest until he had immortalized himself in the architecture of St. Peter's, in the marble of his Moses, and on the walls of the Sistine Chapel.

Michael Angelo’s parents declared that no son of theirs would ever enter the disreputable profession of an artist. They even punished him for covering the walls and furniture with sketches. But the Divine Artist had lit a fire in his heart. It would not let him rest until he had made himself immortal through the architecture of St. Peter’s, his marble Moses, and the walls of the Sistine Chapel.

Pascal's father determined that his son should teach the dead languages, but the voice of mathematics drowned every other call, haunting the boy until he laid aside his grammar for Euclid.

Pascal's father was determined that his son should teach ancient languages. But the call of mathematics drowned out every other calling. It haunted the boy until he put aside his grammar to study Euclid.

The father of Joshua Reynolds rebuked his son for drawing pictures, and wrote on one: "Done by Joshua out of pure idleness." Yet this "idle boy" became one of the founders of the Royal Academy.

Joshua Reynolds's father scolded him for drawing pictures. On one picture, he wrote: "Done by Joshua out of pure idleness." Yet this "idle boy" became one of the founders of the Royal Academy.

Turner was intended for a barber in Maiden Lane, but became the greatest landscape-painter of modern times.

Turner was meant to become a barber in Maiden Lane, but he became the greatest landscape painter of modern times.

Claude Lorraine, the painter, was apprenticed to a pastry-cook; Molière, the author, to an upholsterer; and Guido, the famous painter of Aurora, was sent to a music school.

Claude Lorraine, the painter, trained under a pastry cook. Molière, the author, trained under an upholsterer. Guido, the famous painter of Aurora, was sent to a music school.

Schiller was sent to study surgery in the military school at Stuttgart, but in secret he produced his first play, "The Robbers," the first performance of which he had to witness in disguise. The irksomeness of his prison-like school so galled him, and his longing for authorship so allured him, that he ventured, penniless, into the inhospitable world of letters. A kind lady aided him, and soon he produced the two splendid dramas which made him immortal.

Schiller was sent to study surgery at the military school in Stuttgart. But he secretly wrote his first play, "The Robbers." He had to attend its first performance in disguise. The school felt like a prison and made him miserable. His longing to write drew him away, and he ventured into the unwelcoming world of literature without a penny. A kind lady helped him, and soon he wrote the two splendid dramas that made him immortal.

The physician Handel wished his son to become a lawyer, and so tried to discourage his fondness for music. But the boy got an old spinet and practiced on it secretly in a hayloft. When the doctor visited a brother in the service of the Duke of Weisenfelds, he took his son with him. The boy wandered unobserved to the organ in a chapel, and soon had a private concert under full blast. The duke happened to hear the performance, and wondered who could possibly combine so much melody with so much evident unfamiliarity with the instrument. The boy was brought before him, and the duke, instead of blaming him for disturbing the organ, praised his performance, and persuaded Dr. Handel to let his son follow his bent.

Dr. Handel wanted his son to become a lawyer, so he tried to discourage the boy’s love of music. But the boy found an old spinet and practiced on it secretly in a hayloft. The doctor had a brother who served the Duke of Weisenfelds. When he visited his brother, he took his son along. The boy wandered unnoticed to the organ in a chapel and soon began playing a private concert at full volume. The duke happened to hear him. He wondered who could play such melodies while clearly being so unfamiliar with the instrument. The boy was brought before the duke. Instead of scolding him for playing the organ, the duke praised his performance. He persuaded Dr. Handel to let his son pursue his interest in music.

Daniel Defoe had been a trader, a soldier, a merchant, a secretary, a factory manager, a commissioner's accountant, an envoy, and an author of several indifferent books, before he wrote his masterpiece, "Robinson Crusoe."

Before writing his masterpiece, "Robinson Crusoe," Daniel Defoe had worked as a trader, soldier, merchant, secretary, factory manager, commissioner's accountant, and envoy. He had also written several mediocre books.

Wilson, the ornithologist, failed in five different professions before he found his place.

Wilson, the bird expert, failed in five different professions before he found his place.

Erskine spent four years in the navy, and then, in the hope of more rapid promotion, joined the army. After serving more than two years, he one day, out of curiosity, attended a court, in the town where his regiment was quartered. The presiding judge, an acquaintance, invited Erskine to sit near him, and said that the pleaders at the bar were among the most eminent lawyers of Great Britain. Erskine took their measure as they spoke, and believed he could excel them. He at once began the study of law, in which he eventually soon stood alone as the greatest forensic orator of his country.

Erskine spent four years in the navy. He then joined the army, hoping for faster promotion. After serving more than two years, he attended a court hearing out of curiosity. The court was in the town where his regiment was stationed. The presiding judge, who knew Erskine, invited him to sit nearby. He told Erskine that the lawyers presenting the case were among the most distinguished in Great Britain. Erskine assessed them as they spoke and believed he could surpass them. He immediately began studying law and soon became the greatest courtroom orator in his country, with no equal.

A. T. Stewart studied for the ministry, and became a teacher, before he drifted into his proper calling as a merchant, through the accident of having lent money to a friend. The latter, with failure imminent, insisted that his creditor should take the shop as the only means of securing the money.

A. T. Stewart studied for the ministry and became a teacher before finding his true calling as a merchant. He came to it by chance after lending money to a friend. When the friend was about to fail in business, he insisted that Stewart take his shop to recover the money.

"Jonathan," said Mr. Chase, when his son told of having nearly fitted himself for college, "thou shalt go down to the machine-shop on Monday morning." It was many years before Jonathan escaped from the shop, to work his way up to the position of a man of great influence as a United States Senator from Rhode Island.

When Jonathan told his father that he had nearly prepared himself for college, Mr. Chase said, "Jonathan, you will go to the machine shop on Monday morning." Many years passed before Jonathan escaped the shop. He then worked his way up to become a highly influential United States Senator from Rhode Island.

It has been well said that if God should commission two angels, one to sweep a street crossing, and the other to rule an empire, they could not be induced to exchange callings. Not less true is it that he who feels that God has given him a particular work to do can be happy only when earnestly engaged in its performance. Happy the youth who finds the place which his dreams have pictured! If he does not fill that place, he will not fill any to the satisfaction of himself or others. Nature never lets a man rest until he has found his place. She haunts him and drives him until all his faculties give their consent and he falls into his proper niche. A parent might just as well decide that the magnetic needle will point to Venus or Jupiter without trying it, as to decide what profession his son shall adopt.

It has been said that if God assigned two angels their tasks, neither would agree to exchange them. One might be assigned to sweep a street crossing and the other to rule an empire. It is just as true that a person who feels God has given him a particular task can be happy only when he is earnestly doing it. Happy is the young man who finds the place he has dreamed of! If he does not fill that place, he will not fill any place to his own satisfaction or anyone else's. Nature never lets a man rest until he has found his place. She haunts him and drives him until all his abilities are in agreement and he settles into his proper niche. A parent might as well decide, without testing it, that a compass needle will point to Venus or Jupiter. He has no better grounds for deciding what profession his son should choose.

What a ridiculous exhibition a great truck-horse would make on the race-track; yet this is no more incongruous than the popular idea that law, medicine, and theology are the only desirable professions. How ridiculous, too, for fifty-two per cent. of our American college graduates to study law! How many young men become poor clergymen by trying to imitate their fathers who were good ones; of poor doctors and lawyers for the same reason! The country is full of men who are out of place, "disappointed, soured, ruined, out of office, out of money, out of credit, out of courage, out at elbows, out in the cold." The fact is, nearly every college graduate who succeeds in the true sense of the word, prepares himself in school, but makes himself after he is graduated. The best thing his teachers have taught him is how to study. The moment he is beyond the college walls he ceases to use books and helps which do not feed him, and seizes upon those that do.

What a ridiculous sight a large workhorse would be on a racetrack! Yet it is no more absurd than the popular idea that law, medicine, and theology are the only desirable professions. How ridiculous, too, that fifty-two percent of American college graduates study law! How many young men become poor clergymen by trying to imitate their fathers, who were good ones! How many become poor doctors and lawyers for the same reason! The country is full of men who are in the wrong jobs, "disappointed, soured, ruined, out of office, out of money, out of credit, out of courage, out at elbows, out in the cold." In fact, nearly every college graduate who succeeds in the true sense prepares himself in school but makes himself after graduation. The best thing his teachers have taught him is how to study. As soon as he leaves college, he stops using books and other resources that do not nourish him. He seizes on those that do.

We must not jump to the conclusion that because a man has not succeeded in what he has really tried to do with all his might, he cannot succeed at anything. Look at a fish floundering on the sand as though he would tear himself to pieces. But look again: a huge wave breaks higher up the beach and covers the unfortunate creature. The moment his fins feel the water, he is himself again, and darts like a flash through the waves. His fins mean something now, while before they beat the air and earth in vain, a hindrance instead of a help.

We must not assume that a man cannot succeed at anything because he has failed despite trying his hardest. Look at a fish floundering on the sand, as if it would tear itself apart. But look again: a huge wave breaks farther up the beach and covers the unfortunate creature. The moment its fins feel the water, the fish is itself again and darts through the waves like a flash. Its fins are useful now. Before, they beat against the air and sand in vain, hindering the fish instead of helping it.

If you fail after doing your level best, examine the work attempted, and see if it really be in the line of your bent or power of achievement. Cowper failed as a lawyer. He was so timid that he could not plead a case, but he wrote some of our finest poems. Molière found that he was not adapted to the work of a lawyer, but he left a great name in literature. Voltaire and Petrarch abandoned the law, the former choosing philosophy, the latter, poetry. Cromwell was a farmer until forty years old.

If you fail after doing your best, examine the work you attempted. See whether it really suits your talents or abilities. Cowper failed as a lawyer. He was so timid that he could not plead a case, but he wrote some of our finest poems. Molière found that he was not suited to being a lawyer, but he made a great name for himself in literature. Voltaire and Petrarch gave up law. Voltaire chose philosophy, and Petrarch chose poetry. Cromwell was a farmer until he was forty.

Very few of us, before we reach our teens, show great genius or even remarkable talent for any line of work or study. The great majority of boys and girls, even when given all the latitude and longitude heart could desire, find it very difficult before their fifteenth or even before their twentieth year to decide what to do for a living. Each knocks at the portals of the mind, demanding a wonderful aptitude for some definite line of work, but it is not there. That is no reason why the duty at hand should be put off, or why the labor that naturally falls to one's lot should not be done well. Samuel Smiles was trained to a profession which was not to his taste, yet he practiced it so faithfully that it helped him to authorship, for which he was well fitted.

Very few of us show great genius or even remarkable talent for any kind of work or study before our teens. Most boys and girls find it very difficult to decide how to earn a living before they turn fifteen or even twenty. This is true even when they are given all the freedom they could wish for. Each searches their mind for a remarkable aptitude for a particular kind of work, but finds none. That is no reason to put off the duty at hand or to do poorly the work that naturally falls to us. Samuel Smiles trained for a profession he did not enjoy. Yet he practiced it so faithfully that it helped him become an author, a role for which he was well suited.

Fidelity to the work or everyday duties at hand, and a genuine feeling of responsibility to our parents or employers, ourselves, and our God, will eventually bring most of us into the right niches at the proper time.

If we are faithful to our work and daily duties, we will eventually find our proper places at the right time. The same is true if we feel a genuine responsibility to our parents or employers, ourselves, and God.

Garfield would not have become President if he had not previously been a zealous teacher, a responsible soldier, a conscientious statesman. Neither Lincoln nor Grant started as a baby with a precocity for the White House, or an irresistible genius for ruling men. So no one should be disappointed because he was not endowed with tremendous gifts in the cradle. His business is to do the best he can wherever his lot may be cast, and advance at every honorable opportunity in the direction towards which the inward monitor points. Let duty be the guiding-star, and success will surely be the crown, to the full measure of one's ability and industry.

Garfield would not have become President if he had not first been a dedicated teacher, a responsible soldier, and a conscientious statesman. Neither Lincoln nor Grant was born with an exceptional talent for reaching the White House or an irresistible genius for ruling others. So no one should be disappointed for not having been born with extraordinary gifts. Each person should do their best wherever they find themselves. They should take every honorable opportunity to move in the direction their inner voice points them. Let duty be your guiding star, and success will surely be your reward, in full measure according to your ability and hard work.

What career? What shall my life's work be?

What career should I choose? What should my life's work be?

If instinct and heart ask for carpentry, be a carpenter; if for medicine, be a physician. With a firm choice and earnest work, a young man or woman cannot help but succeed. But if there be no instinct, or if it be weak or faint, one should choose cautiously along the line of his best adaptability and opportunity. No one need doubt that the world has use for him. True success lies in acting well your part, and this every one can do. Better be a first-rate hod-carrier than a second-rate anything.

If your instincts and heart call you to carpentry, be a carpenter. If they call you to medicine, be a doctor. With a firm choice and hard work, a young man or woman cannot help but succeed. But if you feel no strong calling, choose carefully based on your abilities and opportunities. No one need doubt that the world has a use for them. True success lies in doing your part well, and everyone can do that. It is better to be a first-rate laborer carrying bricks and mortar than second-rate at anything else.

The world has been very kind to many who were once known as dunces or blockheads, after they have become very successful; but it was very cross to them while they were struggling through discouragement and misinterpretation. Give every boy and girl a fair chance and reasonable encouragement, and do not condemn them because of even a large degree of downright stupidity; for many so-called good-for-nothing boys, blockheads, numskulls, dullards, or dunces, were only boys out of their places, round boys forced into square holes.

The world has been very kind to many people once called fools or blockheads after they became successful. But it was very harsh toward them while they struggled with discouragement and misunderstanding. Give every boy and girl a fair chance and reasonable encouragement. Do not condemn them, even for being extremely stupid. Many boys labeled good-for-nothings, blockheads, fools, dullards, or dunces were simply out of place, like round pegs forced into square holes.

Wellington was considered a dunce by his mother. At Eton he was called dull, idle, slow, and was about the last boy in school of whom anything was expected. He showed no talent, and had no desire to enter the army. His industry and perseverance were his only redeeming characteristics in the eyes of his parents and teachers. But at forty-six he had defeated the greatest general living, except himself.

Wellington’s mother thought he was stupid. At Eton, he was called dull, lazy, and slow. He was one of the last boys at school anyone expected to succeed. He showed no talent and had no desire to join the army. In the eyes of his parents and teachers, his hard work and perseverance were his only redeeming qualities. But at forty-six, he defeated the greatest living general, apart from himself.

Goldsmith was the laughing-stock of his schoolmasters. He was graduated "Wooden Spoon," a college name for a dunce. He tried to enter a class in surgery, but was rejected. He was driven to literature. Goldsmith found himself totally unfit for the duties of a physician; but who else could have written the "Vicar of Wakefield" or the "Deserted Village"? Dr. Johnson found him very poor and about to be arrested for debt. He made Goldsmith give him the manuscript of the "Vicar of Wakefield," sold it to the publishers, and paid the debt. This manuscript made its author famous.

Goldsmith's teachers made him a laughingstock. He graduated with the "Wooden Spoon," a college name for a dunce. He tried to enter a surgery class, but was rejected. He was driven to literature. Goldsmith found himself completely unfit to be a physician. But who else could have written the "Vicar of Wakefield" or the "Deserted Village"? Dr. Johnson found him very poor and about to be arrested for debt. He made Goldsmith give him the manuscript of the "Vicar of Wakefield." He sold it to publishers and paid Goldsmith's debt. The manuscript made Goldsmith famous.

Robert Clive bore the name of "dunce" and "reprobate" at school, but at thirty-two, with three thousand men, he defeated fifty thousand at Plassey and laid the foundation of the British Empire in India. Sir Walter Scott was called a blockhead by his teacher. When Byron happened to get ahead of his class, the master would say: "Now, Jordie, let me see how soon you will be at the foot again."

At school, Robert Clive was called a "dunce" and a "reprobate." But at thirty-two, he defeated fifty thousand men at Plassey with only three thousand. He laid the foundation of the British Empire in India. Sir Walter Scott's teacher called him a blockhead. When Byron managed to get ahead of his class, the teacher would say: "Now, Jordie, let me see how soon you will be at the bottom again."

Young Linnaeus was called by his teachers almost a blockhead. Not finding him fit for the church, his parents sent him to college to study medicine. But the silent teacher within, greater and wiser than all others, led him to the fields; and neither sickness, misfortune, nor poverty could drive him from the study of botany, the choice of his heart, and he became the greatest botanist of his age.

Young Linnaeus’s teachers called him almost a fool. His parents did not think he was suited for the church, so they sent him to college to study medicine. But the silent teacher within him, greater and wiser than all others, led him to the fields. Neither sickness, misfortune, nor poverty could drive him away from botany, the study he loved. He became the greatest botanist of his age.

Richard B. Sheridan's mother tried in vain to teach him the most elementary studies. The mother's death aroused slumbering talents, as has happened in hundreds of cases, and he became one of the most brilliant men of his age.

Richard B. Sheridan's mother tried in vain to teach him even the most basic subjects. Her death awakened his hidden talents, as has happened in hundreds of cases. He became one of the most brilliant men of his time.

Samuel Drew was one of the dullest and most listless boys in his neighborhood, yet after an accident by which he nearly lost his life, and after the death of his brother, he became so studious and industrious that he could not bear to lose a moment. He read at every meal, using all the time he could get for self-improvement. He said that Paine's "Age of Reason" made him an author, for it was by his attempt to refute its arguments that he was first known as a strong, vigorous writer.

Samuel Drew was one of the slowest and most sluggish boys in his neighborhood. But after an accident that nearly killed him and the death of his brother, he changed. He became so devoted to study and hard work that he could not bear to waste a moment. He read at every meal, using all the time he could find to improve himself. He said that Paine's "Age of Reason" made him an author. His attempt to refute its arguments first earned him a reputation as a strong, powerful writer.

It has been well said that no man ever made an ill figure who understood his own talents, nor a good one who mistook them.

It has been rightly said that no man ever made a poor impression if he understood his own talents. Nor did any man make a good impression if he misunderstood them.