The True Citizen, How To Become One | Page 4

all these points, and many others also;
but it must never be allowed to destroy the pupil's individuality. It must
teach that a person can be himself, and study all the models he pleases.
Webster studied the orations of Cicero so thoroughly that he could
repeat most of them by heart; but they did not destroy or compromise
his individuality, because he did not try to be Cicero. It has been said
that Michael Angelo, who was the most original of ancient or modern
artists, was more familiar with the model statues and paintings of the
world than any other man. He studied the excellences of all the great
works of art, not to copy or imitate them, but to develop his powers.
"As the food he consumed became bone and muscle by assimilation; so,
by mental assimilation, the knowledge he acquired by art-models
entered into the very composition of his mind."
The more thoroughly a man's nature is developed under the influences
of a good education, the more justly does he claim the liberty of
thought and action, and a suitable field whereon to think and act. The
materials of useful and honorable life--of life aiming at great and noble
ends--are within him. He feels it, he knows it to be so; and a denial
uttered by ten thousand voices would not check the ardor of his pursuit,

or induce him to surrender one atom of his claim. His claim involves a
right. He is as conscious of it as of his existence. His mind has acquired
the power of observing, reasoning, reflecting, judging, and acting; and
he feels that, like a pendulum, the action of his mind is capable of
giving activity, force, and value, to a large body of well-compacted
machinery, of which he is a part.
It is the mind that acts as the universal pendulum; and if its liberty of
action be circumscribed, and its vibrations consequently fall short of
the mark, then its power will be crippled, and the life, as a whole will
be imperfect and incomplete.

II.
OBSERVATION.
MEMORY GEMS.
We get out of Nature what we carry to her.--Katherine Hagar
Fools learn nothing from wise men, but wise men learn much from
fools. --Lavater
The non-observant man goes through the forest and sees no firewood.
--Russian Proverb
Some men will learn more in a country stage-ride than others in a tour
of Europe.--Dr. Johnson
The world is full of thoughts, and you will find them strewed
everywhere in your path.--Elihu Burritt
All conscious life begins in observation. We say of a baby, "See how
he notices!" By this statement we really call attention to the fact that
the child is beginning to be interested in things separate from and
outside of himself. Up to this time he has seen but not observed, for to
observe is to "see with attention"; to "notice with care"; to see with the

mind as well as with the eye. There are many persons who see almost
everything but observe almost nothing. They are forever fluttering over
the surface of things, but put forth no real effort to secure and preserve
the ideas they ought to gather from the scenes through which they pass.
Every boy and girl in the land, possessing a good pair of eyes, has the
means for acquiring a vast store of knowledge. As the child, long
before he can talk, obtains a pretty good idea of the little world that lies
within his vision; so may all bright, active boys and girls obtain, by
correct habits of observation, a knowledge that will the better fit them
for the active duties of manhood and womanhood.
The active, observing eye is the sign of intelligence; while the vacant,
listless stare of indifference betokens an empty brain. The eyes are
placed in an elevated position that they may better observe all that
comes within their range. These highways to the soul should always
stand wide open, ready to carry inward all such impressions as will add
to our knowledge.
No object the eye ever beholds, no sound, however slight, caught by
the ear, or anything once passing the turnstile of any of the senses, is
ever again let go. The eye is a perpetual camera, imprinting upon the
sensitive mental plates, and packing away in the brain for future use,
every face, every plant and flower, every scene upon the street, in fact,
everything which comes within its range. It should, therefore, be easy
to discern that since mere seeing may create false impressions in the
mind, and that only by careful observation can we gather for future use
such impressions as are thoroughly reliable, we cannot well
overestimate the importance of its cultivation.
It is beyond question that childhood and early youth are the