Section 109. ON[1] SELF CULTURE.
Reading edition
Section 109. ON[1] SELF CULTURE.
(From[2] an address delivered to an assemblage of young men at Edinburgh.)
I[3] stand before you a self-educated man. My education was[4] that which was supplied at the humble parish schools of Scotland; and it was only[5] when I[6] went to Edinburgh, a poor boy, that I devoted my evenings, after the labours of the day, to the cultivation of[7] that intellect which the Almighty has given me. From seven or eight in the morning till nine or ten at night[8], was I at[9] my business as a bookseller’s apprentice[10], and[11] it was only during hours after these, stolen from sleep, that I could devote myself to study. I assure you that I did not read novels[12]; my attention was devoted[13] to physical science and other useful matters[14]. During[15] that period I taught myself French. I look back[16] to that time with great pleasure, and am almost sorry I have not to go[17] through the same troubles again. I[18] reaped more pleasure when I had not a sixpence in my pocket, studying in a garret in Edinburgh, than I now find when sitting amidst all the elegancies and comforts of a parlour.—William Chambers.
This man has only (but) one coat. Dieser Mann hat nur einen Rock.
It is only one o’clock. Es ist erst ein Uhr.