ABSTRACT
The greatest difficulty with most subjects is to do them well; therefore, please to remember this is an apology. It is certain that much may be judiciously argued in favour of diligence; only there is something to be said against it, and that is what, on the present occasion. Extreme busyness , whether at school or college, kirk or market, is a symptom of deficient vitality; and faculty for idleness implies a catholic appetite and a strong sense of personal identity. There is a sort of dead-alive, hackneyed people about, who are scarcely conscious of living except in the exercise of some conventional occupation. Perpetual devotion to what a man calls his business, is only to be sustained by perpetual neglect of many other things. Even a tobacconist may upon consideration, find no great cause for personal vainglory in phrase; for although tobacco is an admirable sedative, the qualities necessary for retailing it are neither rare nor precious in themselves.
