CHILDREN'S STORIES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2444, 10 March 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

CHILDREN'S STORIES.

Self-improvement.

TifKUK an; many young working men who are anxious to improve their minds by reading and study out of business lionrs. "Hut too many grow discourage] and fail in their efforts of self-improvement, :ilthoti£»h they begin with the best intentions. A want of thoroughness in whatever is undertaken is, perhaps, one great cause of such fail lives. A practical writer on that topic gives the following good direction : "Never leave what you undertake to learn until you cun reach your arms around it, and clench your hands on the other side."' It is not the amount of reading you run over that will make you learned; it is the amount you retain. Dr. Abernethy maintained that " there was a point of saturation in the mind, 5 beyond which it H as not capable of taking in more. Whatever was pressed upon it afterwards crowded out something else.

Every young man should endeavour to perfect himself in the science of the business lie has chosen Without this he must content himself in the lower walks of his calling. Tho cost of a few cigars will buy all the books ho reijuircs, and his own diligence may be made to well supply the place of a tutor. Without such diligence the best teacher iu the world could not manufacture him into a scholar. If once going over a point will not master it lie must tackle it again. Better give n week's study to a page than conclude that you cannot comprehend it.

J3ut though it i.s wise to give your main strength'to your own speciality you should not confine yourself to such studios exclusively. The perfection of all your powers should bo your aspiration. 'J , hose who can only think and talk on ouc subject may be efficient in their lino ; but they are not agreeable members of society in any of its departments. Neither have they made the nmst of themselves. They become one-sided and narrow in their views, and are vocluucil to a humiliating dependence on one branch of industry. It costs nothing to carry knowledge ; and, in times like these, to ho able to put his hand to more thnn'oiifi branch of industry servos a man a pood turn.

Do not attempt too irmoli in tho way of study to Iwgin with ; you will surely lose heart if you do. Be humble and modest in your aspiration and if you arc diligent never fear hut that you will heir a voice sayin.fi;: "Conic: up highci." lie content to gather the precious sjold of learning, grain by grain ; you will soon be able to see the pile growing, au ,] y<,,, w ;]| i ea ,. n from, it the wonderful power of the littles which i? felt and shown in mental as well as in golden drains.