We learn
the pronunciation of words, to a great extent, by imitation. It must
never be forgotten, however, that the dictionary alone can give us
absolute certainty in doubtful cases.
"If the riches of the Indies," says Fenelon, "or the crowns of all the
kingdoms of the world, were laid at my feet in exchange for my love for
reading, I would despise them all."
That writer does the most good who gives his reader the greatest amount
of knowledge and takes from him the least time. A tremendous thought
may be packed into a small compass, and as solid as a cannon ball.
"Read much, but not many works," is the advice of a great writer.
LESSON XX
THE ART OF OBSERVATION
The Indian trapper is a man of close observation, quick perception and
prompt action. As he goes along, nothing escapes him. Often not
another step is taken until some mystery that presents itself is fairly
solved. He will stand for hours in succession to account for certain
signs, and he may even spend days and weeks upon that same mystery
until he solves it.
I rode once several hundred miles in the company of such an experienced
trailer, and asked him many questions about his art. Near the bank of
a small river in Dakota we crossed the track of a pony. The guide
followed the track for some distance and then said: "It is a stray
black horse, with a long bushy tail, nearly starved to death; it has a
broken hoof on the left fore foot and goes very lame; he has passed
here early this morning.
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