Word: mental
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Dates: during 1870-1879
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...false opinions and ungrounded rumors that ordinarily pass unchallenged to breathe this rarefied atmosphere. If we set our ideal among the stars, we must be content to find most things falling under the ban. It is precisely this species of writing, of all others, that awakens readers from mental sloth, and it is inconceivable that such a thing as indifference should be quoted as its legitimate result...
Letter-Writing III. would probably be a much more difficult course than either of the others, and would require a thorough knowledge of rhetoric, and of Bain's mental science. The text-book should be Smith's "Epistolary Communication between a Gentleman and his Trades-people." A student having taken this course would be prepared to write such a charming note to any one of his creditors, that he (the creditor) would not only cease asking him for the money, but would offer to pay up the sum in question on the receipt of another letter of a like nature...
...studies tend to that end. He had a mind extremely quick to receive and originate ideas, an untiring industry, a ready and decided judgment; his progress, therefore, in this, as in all that he undertook, was of the most thorough and promising kind. But conspicuous as he was for mental ability, it is in the private relations of friendship that his loss will be most felt. His friends will miss one who was warm-hearted, loyal, and generous to a fault; one whose character, far above the suspicion of anything mean or paltry, was yet tempered with so much modesty...
...besides these hundred and fifty graduates, every closing of the college term in June sets free six hundred students, who are soon scattered to every part of this country, and, we may almost say, to every corner of the world. If we could obtain a leaf from the mental note-book of each man, we might form a cosmopolitan scrap-book of experience that would be amusing, not to say instructive. O for a telescope of unlimited power, to see our friends of the midnight oil "clothed in purple and fine linen," displaying their charms of face and figure...
Character. - Self-confident and self-asserting. Strong belief in freedom of thought, and in no one who disagrees with him. Deep interest in everything tending to develop mental power, and in nothing else. Remarkable aptitude to discovery of new and astonishing theories, usually founded upon a priori reasoning. Conversation varied, and covering all topics, but sure to assume witheringly sarcastic tone, if opposing theories or arguments not strictly original are advanced. Great admiration for "lights of the age," and desire to be considered as such. Amusing for short time, but apt to become a bore. Generally honest, but utterly destitute...