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Now I observed that the whole Tribe who entered into the Temple with me began to climb the Throne. But the Work proving troublesome and difficult to most of them, they withdrew their Hands from the Plow, and contented themselves to sit at the Foot, with Madam Idleness and her Maid Ignorance, until those who were assisted by Diligence and a docible Temper had well nigh got up the first Step. But the Time drawing nigh in which they could no way avoid ascending, they were fain to crave the Assistance of those who had got up before them, and who, for the Reward perhaps of a Pint of Milk or a Piece of Plumb-Cake, lent the Lubbers a helping Hand, and sat them in the Eye of the World, upon a Level with themselves.
The other Step being in the same Manner ascended, and the usual Ceremonies at an End, every Beetle-Scull seemed well satisfied with his own Portion of Learning, though perhaps he was even just as ignorant as ever. And now the Time of their Departure being come, they marched out of Doors to make Room for another Company, who waited for Entrance. And I, having seen all that was to be seen, quitted the Hall likewise, and went to make my Observations on those who were just gone out before me.
Some, I perceived, took to Merchandising, others to Travelling, some to one Thing, some to another, and some to Nothing; and many of them from henceforth, for want of Patrimony, lived as poor as Church Mice, being unable to dig and ashamed to beg; and to live by their Wits it was impossible. But the most Part of the Crowd went along a large beaten Path, which led to a Temple at the further End of the Plain, called The Temple of Theology. The Business of those who were employed in this Temple being laborious and painful, I wondered exceedingly to see so many go towards it. But while I was pondering this Matter in my Mind, I spied Pecunia behind a Curtain, beckoning to them with her Hand, which Sight immediately satisfied me for whose Sake it was that a great Part of them (I will not say all) traveled that Road. In this Temple I saw nothing worth mentioning, except the ambitious and fraudulent Contrivances of Plagius, who (notwithstanding he had been severely reprehended for such Practices before) was diligently transcribing some eloquent Paragraphs out of Tillotson's Works, etc. to embellish his own.
Now I bethought myself in my Sleep that it was Time to be at Home, and as I fancied I was travelling back thither, I reflected in my Mind on the extreme Folly of those Parents who, blind to their Children's Dullness, and insensible of the Solidity of their Skulls, because they think their Purses can afford it, will needs send them to the Temple of Learning where, for want of a suitable Genius, they learn little more than how to carry themselves handsomely and enter a Room genteelly (which might as well be acquired at a Dancing-School) and from whence they return, after Abundance of Trouble and Charge, as great Blockheads as ever, only more proud and self-conceited.
While I was in the midst of these unpleasant Reflections, Clericus (who with a Book in his Hand was walking under the Trees) accidentally awak'd me; to him I related my Dream with all its Particulars, and he, without much Study, presently interpreted it, assuring me, That it was a lively Representation of Harvard College, et cetera.
I remain, Sir,
Your Humble Servant,
SILENCE DOGOOD
The New-England Courant, May 14, 1722
Source: http://grammar.about.com/od/classicessays/a/templeoflearningessay_2.htm
Some, I perceived, took to Merchandising, others to Travelling, some to one Thing, some to another, and some to Nothing; and many of them from henceforth, for want of Patrimony, lived as poor as Church Mice, being unable to dig and ashamed to beg; and to live by their Wits it was impossible. But the most Part of the Crowd went along a large beaten Path, which led to a Temple at the further End of the Plain, called The Temple of Theology. The Business of those who were employed in this Temple being laborious and painful, I wondered exceedingly to see so many go towards it. But while I was pondering this Matter in my Mind, I spied Pecunia behind a Curtain, beckoning to them with her Hand, which Sight immediately satisfied me for whose Sake it was that a great Part of them (I will not say all) traveled that Road. In this Temple I saw nothing worth mentioning, except the ambitious and fraudulent Contrivances of Plagius, who (notwithstanding he had been severely reprehended for such Practices before) was diligently transcribing some eloquent Paragraphs out of Tillotson's Works, etc. to embellish his own.
Now I bethought myself in my Sleep that it was Time to be at Home, and as I fancied I was travelling back thither, I reflected in my Mind on the extreme Folly of those Parents who, blind to their Children's Dullness, and insensible of the Solidity of their Skulls, because they think their Purses can afford it, will needs send them to the Temple of Learning where, for want of a suitable Genius, they learn little more than how to carry themselves handsomely and enter a Room genteelly (which might as well be acquired at a Dancing-School) and from whence they return, after Abundance of Trouble and Charge, as great Blockheads as ever, only more proud and self-conceited.
While I was in the midst of these unpleasant Reflections, Clericus (who with a Book in his Hand was walking under the Trees) accidentally awak'd me; to him I related my Dream with all its Particulars, and he, without much Study, presently interpreted it, assuring me, That it was a lively Representation of Harvard College, et cetera.
I remain, Sir,
Your Humble Servant,
SILENCE DOGOOD
The New-England Courant, May 14, 1722
Source: http://grammar.about.com/od/classicessays/a/templeoflearningessay_2.htm