LIEUTENANT. I have taken the liberty of addressing you, because there aren't many educated people hereabouts for a man to talk to.
MONTANUS. I am delighted that you have been a scholar. When did you graduate, if I may inquire?
LIEUTENANT. Oh, ten years ago.
MONTANUS. Then you are an old academicus. What was your specialty when you were a student?
LIEUTENANT. I read mostly the old Latin authors, and studied natural law and moral problems, as in fact I do still.
MONTANUS. That is mere trumpery, not academicum. Did you lay no stress on Philosophiam instrumentalem?
LIEUTENANT. Not especially.
MONTANUS. Then you have never done any disputation?
LIEUTENANT. No.
MONTANUS. Well, is that studying? Philosophia instrumentalis is the only solid studium; the rest are all very fine, but they are not learned. One who is well drilled in Logica and Metaphysica can get himself out of any difficulty and dispute on all subjects, even if he is unfamiliar with them. I know of nothing which I should take upon myself to defend and not get out of it very well. There was never any disputation at the university in which I did not take part. A philosophus instrumentalis can pass for a polyhistor.