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“
[46]
Now, Agamemnon, you
look as if you were saying, 'What is this bore chattering for?' Only because you
have the gift of tongues and do not speak. You do not come off our shelf, and so
you make fun of the way we poor men talk. We know you are mad with much
learning. But I tell you what; can I persuade you to come down to my place some
day and see my little property? We shall find something to eat, a chicken and
eggs: it will be delightful, even though the weather this year has made
everything grow at the wrong time: we shall find something to fill ourselves up
with. My little boy is growing into a follower of yours already. He can do
simple division now; if he lives, you will have a little servant at your heels.
Whenever he has any spare time, he never lifts his nose from the slate. He is
clever, and comes of a good stock, even though he is too fond of birds. I killed
three of his goldfinches just lately, and said a weasel had eaten them. But he
has found some other hobby, and has taken to painting with great pleasure. He
has made a hole in his Greek now, and begins to relish Latin finely, even though
his master is conceited and will not stick to one thing at a time. The boy
comes[p. 81] asking me to give him some writing to do, though he
does not want to work. I have another boy who is no scholar, but very inquiring,
and can teach you more than he knows himself. So on holidays he generally comes
home, and is quite pleased whatever you give him. I bought the child some books
with red-letter headings in them a little time ago. I want him to have a smack
of law in order to manage the property. Law has bread and butter in it. He has
dipped quite deep enough into literature. If he is restless, I mean to have him
learn a trade, a barber or an auctioneer, or at least a barrister, something
that he can carry to the grave with him. So I drum it into him every day: Mark
my words, Primigenius, whatever you learn, you learn for your own good. Look at
Phileros, the barrister: if he had not worked, he would not be keeping the wolf
from the door today. It is not so long since he used to carry things round on
his back and sell them, and now he makes a brave show even against Norbanus.
Yes, education is a treasure, and culture never dies.'”
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