Word: bookworms
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Dates: during 1870-1879
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...displayed his power by arriving at the same result with Professor Peirce by methods of his own. He was equally good in astronomy and physics. He was a good student in moral and intellectual philosophy. His forensics and themes, too, were sometimes of unusual merit. He never was a bookworm, however. Indeed, we learn from the pages before us that he seldom had a book in his hands; for neither at this time nor ever was he addicted to books, or much devoted to the regular studies of the college." Mr. Wright's standing was never high...
Some cynical old bookworm complains that it is not worth while to spend one's time talking with college fellows; it's better to read Macaulay, Carlyle, or Lowell, and so learn something that will be worth remembering, - Mndev ayav. It is true the conversation when fellows meet socially is not usually very profound. It would not be profitable to take careful notes of the remarks made, for future study. Emerson has said more weighty, and Holmes more witty, things than one often hears on such occasions; yet these desultory conversations are very useful as a part of college life...