Page:Free Opinions, Freely Expressed on Certain Phases of Modern Social Life and Conduct.djvu/123

 scholars and useful men. But when educational advantages are thrown headlong at aspiring students, and Universities are opened freely, as though they were a species of pauper-refuge, the delights of learning are apt to be proportionately cheapened and lessened. Lads with real ability naturally and invariably seek to do something that shall prove their own capabilities of pluck and endurance; and a truly independent spirit not only chafes at, but absolutely resents, assistance. Thus it has come to pass that Mr. Carnegie's Free Libraries are looked upon by hosts of people as so many brick and mortar advertisements of his own great wealth and unfailing liberality. A labour leader of some repute among his own class, remarked the other day that "the Carnegie libraries were like 'So-and-So's Pills,' posted up everywhere lest the inventor's name should be forgotten!" This was an unkind, and perhaps an ungrateful observation, but we have to recollect that a People, taken as a People, do not want to be grateful for anything. They want to work for all they get, and to feel that they have honestly deserved their earnings. It is only the drones of the hive that seek to be taken care of. The able citizen strenuously objects to be helped in obtaining sustenance for either his soul or his body. What is necessary for him, that he will fight for, and, having won the battle, he enjoys the victory. There is no pleasure in conquering an enemy, if a policeman has helped you to knock him down.

Thus, with many of the more independently-thinking class, millionaire Carnegie's money, pitched at the public, savours of "patronage" which they