The Fairfield News And Herald

in College--It May Help Others.

Mr. Editor: I have thought that it might do good at this time when so many bright boys and girls from Fairfield are at work in our colleges to publish the following journal of an ambitious Fairfield boy who entered the junior class in the South Carolina College in 1834, being sixteen years of age. In those days there were few blank books and this boy had to fold foolscap paper and with needle and thread make his own writing books. If it is thought interesting I can copy the remainder of the journal.

G. H. McMaster.

The journal begins as follows:

Private Journal of My College Life - S. C. College, 1834.

Private. - Lay this book down, Mister, as I do not wish you to read its contents.

The Use of This Book.

I hope at the end of every month or oftener, if convenient, to write down in this book something concerning the manner in which my time is spent in College - the books I study - my progress in them - what I think is my standing in my class, and anything else which I may think worthy of recollection.

Studies and Time of Recitation.

In the morning at 7 the bell rings for prayers, after which we recite in Paley; after breakfast at 11 we recite in Moral Philosophy; at 4 in the evening we recite in Kames' Elements of Criticism and attend prayers at 5.

January 19th. - So far I have done tolerably in Mathematics, on having missed one theorem altogether. As I have a taste for Mathematics, by always getting my lessons well I can excel in them.

In Moral Philosophy I have done tolerably; by studying I can become good in this branch.

In Kames I have not recited so well, not having been able as yet to read entirely over the lesson, partly on account of its length, but principally on account of my not commencing it early enough. As it is an interesting book I hope that I will review as far as I have gone and for the future take care I always get it.

On Saturday mornings and Monday evenings the Juniors recite in Cicero de oratore. I am not as good a Latin scholar as some of the rest of the class, but, as in everything else, by perseverance I shall be able to do tolerably.

Every Friday morning at 9 we recite in Homer. The same remark made concerning Cicero will apply to this study, but in a greater degree.
From a review of all my studies it appears that if I study I can be very good in them, and is it not probable that if I study very closely, if I make attention to my society and college duties my sole business night and day that I can distinguish myself so very much that the faculty of this college may think me deserving of first appointment?

Certainly it appears presumptuous in me even to ask myself this question, and at present is improbable that I can succeed by the most severe perseverance, but one thing is morally certain, that whether I get first honor or not I will be no worse scholar by attempting it. And what did I come here for? Surely to improve myself in every possible manner, and as my talents are nothing more than moderate I can never arrive at distinction (which I have always desired) in the world but by the greatest diligence.

In surveying the class I find that there is only one (and one who it is said has been over the whole college course) that can compete with me.

[In Laborde's History of S. C. College I find this student to be William Blanding, afterwards a captain of the Palmetto Regiment in the war with Mexico along with his brother, Col. James Blanding, who is also a hero of the Confederate war, being son of Col. Abram Blanding, who was one of the most public-spirited and philanthropic men who ever graced the annals of South Carolina. To him and to his sons as with the immortal Lee the watch word was "Duty." - G. H. M.]

It is very probable that he will take first honor, but in the honors which I hope to strive for when I come into the world to act for myself I will in all probability have more powerful opponents than he is. And if it is impossible for me to obtain the first honor, if I have life and strength by great industry I may get the second. But, lastly, let me reflect how much heartfelt pleasure it would cause my dear parents to see their first born to whom they have very kindly given such good opportunities graduating with such distinction, and perhaps it would be the more delightful to them because unexpected.

Truly if these considerations cannot move me to exert myself I have no ambition and am unworthy to have all opportunities.

But let me not be building castles in the air - in all this let me remember that I must apply myself and apply myself very industriously too.

Before I saw my friend Henry Alston Owens the other night I had intended to stay at this college but one year and then teach a year or two and go to some other college or perhaps this and try to distinguish myself then. But ever since I can remember I have been putting off exertions to distinguish myself until two or three years ahead, and now I am afraid that I may eventually put off hard studying until I am studying for a profession and then for a year or two more and finally forever. To return - a conversation I had with Owens in which he told me that Fairfield had never taken a first honor yet and that he thought I might take it if I tried, and induced me to make the attempt and God grant that I may succeed.