“We will imagine then, that John observes that there are many different kinds of trees, and shrubs, and plants, and flowers, growing in the fields, hedges, and gardens, in the neighbourhood where he lives. Now he wishes to know how many different kinds there are;—in what respects they resemble each other; and in what respects they differ:—what their uses are; and how they are cultivated. He therefore procures books which treat of the science of botany; and in these books he learns that there are many thousand kinds of trees and plants, found in different countries: but though there are so many thousand sorts, he learns how to distribute them all into several classes, according to certain rules; so that he can think of them all regularly, one after another, as they are arranged in his mind. And if he meets with some new plant, which he has never seen before, by examining it, he soon finds out what class it belongs to; and so he does not forget it; because he has put it in its right place in his memory.
“Then he learns the various uses of all those trees, plants, and flowers which can be converted to the service of man, either for food, medicine, or building. He knows also the countries where they grow naturally; the method of cultivating them; and the manner of preparing them for use.
“Now we see that John has acquired a great stock of most delightful and important knowledge. His mind is like a large room that is filled with many hundred pictures of the most beautiful objects; so that he can never want entertainment for his thoughts. Wherever he may travel, he will find in every garden, and field, and wood, new objects, which are yet like old friends to him; because he has so often heard of them, and thought of them before. Besides all this pleasure, which he derives from his knowledge, he is instructed in many of those arts which are most important and necessary to human life.
“It is this sort of knowledge which consists in being acquainted with all the different sorts of things in the world, that makes all the difference between men who live in woods and deserts, like wild beasts, and those who live as we do, in, what is called, a civilized state.
“I must also remark, that, while John has been employed in acquiring this knowledge, he has been kept from many mischievous or frivolous pursuits, which gradually make people worthless, or wicked; and at the same time, his mind has become so much strengthened by exercise, that he is much better able to think about any subject, than those persons are, who suffer their minds to remain idle and empty.
“But now what has George been doing all this time? Why, just for the sake of making you understand what I mean, I will suppose, that George has been amusing himself with counting the number of all the trees and shrubs which he can see from the windows of the house where he lives; and that he has taken the pains to find out who they all belong to;—how long they have been growing;—how tall they are; and so forth. No doubt it must have cost him much trouble to acquire all this information; and to fix it in his memory; but then this labour is only a sort of idleness; because knowledge of this kind can be of no service to any one. And what will become of all the things George has learned, if he should go to live at some place only a few miles distant?—he must very soon forget the whole of it.
“But I dare say Fanny will ask, ‘Who would ever be so stupid as to wish to know exactly how many trees, and shrubs, there are in the fields and gardens?’ To this I must answer, that I do not really believe any one could be found, who would be quite so stupid as this; but I do really believe that some people are very desirous to know things that are quite as foolish and unprofitable; and things too that are much more hurtful in their consequences upon their own character.
“Suppose, now, a person wishes to hear stories about the private affairs of all his neighbours; and endeavours to find out how many servants they keep; what company they see; or what fortune they have; or how their houses are furnished; or what hour they dine at; or what their quarrels are about; or whether they are going to be married; or whether any legacies have been left them. I say that to know things of this sort, is of no more use than it would be to know that there are fifty elm trees on one side of an avenue, and forty-nine on the other: or, that there are twenty-seven currant bushes, and fourteen gooseberry bushes in somebody’s garden.
“Besides, when persons want to know things of this sort, it makes them so frivolous and trifling, that they become unable to attend to any serious or important subject. It also makes them impertinent, and fond of the company of ignorant, vulgar, and worthless people; because it is only such people who will tell them the things they wish to know. When young persons indulge this sort of curiosity, though it be only from idleness, they soon become tale-bearers, and mischief-makers, and in the end they are despised and hated by all who know them.
“When I thought of sending some little token of my affection to my two nieces, I endeavoured to think what would be most suitable to the taste and disposition of each. Perceiving, therefore, that Mary is very inquiring, and always anxious to gain real knowledge, and to learn the reasons of things, I have sent a small Encyclopedia of Arts and Sciences, intended for the use of young persons; also a Biographical Dictionary; and a Geographical Dictionary; of all which I beg her acceptance. I have no doubt that she will know how to make a good use of them; and though such books are already in her Papa’s library, I hope she will be pleased to see them upon the shelves in her little closet.