Advice to a Young Man upon First Going to Oxford Part 5

A book was advertised, called "The Beauties of Don Juan, including those pa.s.sages only which are calculated to extend the real fame of Lord Byron." The editor acknowledges that the poem itself, from the unpruned luxuriance of the author's powers, "has remained a sealed volume"--certainly it _ought_ to be a _sealed volume_--"to the fairest portion of the community." This _expurgate_ selection, however, though it contains many pa.s.sages of great beauty, is a book which I should be sorry indeed to place in the hands of any young lady; and one against which I would _forewarn_ every young man, who is not prepared to run the risk of sacrificing, at the shrine of genius, Christian faith, and Christian soberness, and Christian purity.

The description of the s.h.i.+pwreck had been spoken of as particularly fine. I read it. Not long since several accounts of actual s.h.i.+pwrecks and disasters at sea were published[159:1]. Some of these accounts, are among the most interesting and edifying narratives, that I am acquainted with. They abound in instances of heroic courage, of unshaken endurance, of a n.o.ble disregard of self, of the warmest benevolence, and of the most exalted piety. Don Juan seems to have taken a wayward pleasure in culling from these narratives the most distressing and painful facts, and then mixing them up in doggrel verse, with ludicrous images and ludicrous rhymes; the main _wit_ often consisting in some unexpected absurdity of sound or cadence.

One of the most dreadful consequences of s.h.i.+pwreck is, when a remnant of the crew, cast off in an open boat, are reduced, by extremity of hunger, to determine by lot, which of them shall first be made the food of his companions. Even in such calamity, this perverse and bitter spirit contrives to find matter for merriment. He laughed in himself when he wrote the stanzas, and tries to make his readers laugh; though they must feel indignant with themselves if they give way to the impulse.

I conclude my letter with two sayings of Bishop Horne's. "He who sacrifices religion to wit, like the people mentioned by aelian, wors.h.i.+ps a fly, and offers up an ox to it." Again; "Sir Peter Lely made it a rule, never to look at a bad picture, having found, by experience, that, whenever he did so, his pencil took a tint from it. Apply this to bad books and bad company."

However brilliant the talents of a writer may be, yet, if a book has a tendency to produce a bad effect upon the moral habits of the mind, that book is a _bad_ book.

"When I behold a genius bright and base, Of tow'ring talents, and terrestrial aims; Methinks I see, as thrown from her high sphere, The glorious fragments of a soul immortal, With rubbish mixt, and glitt'ring in the dust."

I remain, My dear Nephew, Your affectionate Uncle.

FOOTNOTES:

[147:1] Rev. Hugh James Rose.

[155:1] Childe Harold and the _four_ first tales (I am speaking only of the larger works) are most free from objection, at the same time that they are the most beautiful and interesting.

[159:1] The Loss of the Kent, and Narratives of the s.h.i.+pwrecks of the Lady Hobart packet, the Cabalva, &c. &c.

PRAYERS

_A Prayer before Study._

(FROM DR. JOHNSON.)

Almighty G.o.d, in whose hands are all the powers of man; who givest understanding and takest it away; who, as it seemeth good unto thee, enlightenest the thoughts of the simple, and darkenest the meditations of the wise, be present with me in my studies and inquiries.

Grant, O Lord, that I may not lavish away the life which thou hast given me on useless trifles, nor waste it in vain searches after things which thou hast hidden from me.

Enable me, by thy Holy Spirit, so to shun sloth and negligence, that every day may discharge part of the task which thou hast allotted me; and so further with thy help that labour which, without thy help, must be ineffectual, that I may obtain in all my undertakings such success as will most promote thy glory, and the salvation of my own soul, for the sake of Jesus Christ.

_Prayer after Time unprofitably spent._

(FROM DR. JOHNSON.)

O Lord, in whose hands are life and death; by whose power I am sustained, and by whose mercy I am spared, look down upon me with pity.

Forgive me, that I have this day neglected the duty which thou hast a.s.signed to it, and suffered the hours, of which I must give account, to pa.s.s away without any endeavour to accomplish thy will, or to promote my own salvation. Make me to remember, O G.o.d, that every day is thy gift, and ought to be used according to thy command. Grant me, therefore, so to repent of my negligence, that I may obtain mercy from thee, and pa.s.s the time which thou shalt yet allow me in diligent performance of thy commands, through Jesus Christ. _Amen._

_Prayer for Temperance._

(FROM BISHOP JEREMY TAYLOR.)

O Almighty G.o.d and gracious Father of men and angels, who openest thy hand and fillest all things living with plenty; and hast provided for thy servant sufficient to satisfy all my needs: teach me to use thy creatures soberly and temperately, that I may not with loads of meat and drink make the temptations of my enemy to prevail upon me, or my spirit unapt for the performance of my duty, or my body healthless, or my affections sensual and unholy. O my G.o.d, never suffer that the blessings which thou givest me may minister either to sin or sickness, but to health, and holiness, and thanksgiving; that in the strength of thy provision I may cheerfully, and actively, and diligently serve thee; that I may worthily feast at thy table here, and be accounted worthy, through thy grace, to be admitted to thy table hereafter, through Jesus Christ, our Mediator and Redeemer. _Amen._

_Prayer for the right government of the tongue._

O G.o.d, watch over me this day for good; and grant that I may so keep the door of my mouth that I may not speak unadvisedly with my lips.

Preserve me from offending with my tongue either against charity or purity. Let me not be guilty of foolish and immodest talking and jesting, of evil-speaking or censoriousness, or of any other of the many sins of the tongue. Grant that all my conversation may be such as becometh one who professes to be the servant and disciple of thy beloved Son, in whose name I beseech thee to hear my prayers.