The Intellectual Life

Whilst the greatest effort has been made to ensure the quality of this text, due to the historical nature of this content, in some rare cases there may be minor issues with legibility. I have written for all classes, in the convic tion that the intellectual life is really within the reach of every one who earnestly desires it. The highest culture can never be within the reach of those who cannot give the years of labor which it costs; and if we cultivate ourselves to shine in the eyes of others, to be come famous in literature or science, then of course we must give many more hours of 1a bor than can be spared from a life of practical industry. But I am fully convinced of this, convinced by the observation of living in stances in all classes, that any man or woman of large natural capacity may reach the tone of thinking which may justly be called intel lectual, even though that thinking may not be expressed in the most perfect language.

I have written for all classes, in the convic tion that the intellectual life is really within the reach of every one who earnestly desires it. The highest culture can never be within the reach of those who cannot give the years of labor which it costs; and if we cultivate ourselves to shine in the eyes of others, to be come famous in literature or science, then of course we must give many more hours of 1a bor than can be spared from a life of practical industry. But I am fully convinced of this, convinced by the observation of living in stances in all classes, that any man or woman of large natural capacity may reach the tone of thinking which may justly be called intel lectual, even though that thinking may not be expressed in the most perfect language.