Alexandria Gazette

KNOWLEDGE UNDER DIFFICULTIES.

The following is a most remarkable and praiseworthy instance of what perseverance and industry, rightly directed, are able to effect. Among the graduating class at the commencement last week, at Williams College, was one by the name of Condit, from Jersey. This gentleman was a shoe-maker, is married, and has a family of four children. Six years ago, becoming sensible of the blessings of an education, he commenced learning the simple branches, such as are taught in our primary schools. One by one, as he sat on his shoe-maker's bench, he mastered grammar, arithmetic, geography, &c., with some occasional assistance from his fellow workmen. After that time he determined to obtain a collegiate education. Without means, and with a large family depending on him for support, he commenced and learned Latin and Greek in the evenings after his day's labor was over, under the direction of a friend; and after the lapse of a year and a half, prepared himself, and entered the sophomore class of Williams College.

He brought his bench and tools as well as his books with him. The students supplied him with work; the faculty assisted him: and together with the fund for indigent students and some occasional assistance from other sources, he was enabled to go through the college course, and at the same time support his family. He graduated last week, on his birth-day, aged thirty two. He stood high in his class, and received a part in commencement, but declined. At the farewell meeting of the class, in consideration of his perseverance, talents, and Christian character, they presented his wife with an elegant set of silver spoons, tea and table, each handsomely engraved with an appropriate inscription.

Mr. Condit will now enter the theological seminary at New York, and will, no doubt, make a faithful and popular minister.

What young man in this country will ever, after such an example as this, despair of obtaining an education.