KUMAMOTO, March, 1894.
MY DEAR ŌTANI,--To study philology, with the idea of becoming a
philologist, scarcely seems to me a hopeful undertaking for you.
Philology means a great deal, including the comparative study of
languages; and it requires a very special natural gift in acquiring
languages, to be of any very practical value to you. It would also
require, I think, years of study in foreign universities. I am not quite
sure what you mean by philology, and what your purpose in following that
course would be. You might, of course, do as many do--take the literary
and philological course at the university. But the question, to my mind,
seems to be this: "What would be the practical value of such studies
afterwards?" Do you wish to become a Professor of Philology? Do you wish
to give your life to the scientific study of languages? If you do, are
you quite sure you have the particular kind of talent required (for,
remember, everybody cannot become a philologist any more than everybody
can become a mathematician)?
[Illustration: A GROUP OF GRADUATES OF THE MIDDLE SCHOOL
1 Mr. Hearn 2 Mr. Nishida 3 The old teacher of Chinese
Classics]
The truth is, I do not know enough about your circumstances and
intentions and abilities to advise you well. I can only tell you _in a
general way_ what I think.
I think you ought not to study what would not be of _practical_ use
to you in after-life. I am always glad to hear of a student studying
engineering, architecture, medicine (if he has the particular moral
character which medicine requires), or any branch of applied science.
I do not like to see all the fine boys turning to the study of law,
instead of to the study of science or technology. Of course much depends
upon the mathematical faculty. If you have that faculty, I would
strongly advise you to direct all your studies toward a scientific
profession--something really practical,--engineering, architecture,
electricity, chemistry, etc. If you should ask which, I could not
tell you, because I do not know your own highest capacities in such
directions. I would only say,--"Whatever you are most sure of loving as
a practical profession."
Japan wants no more lawyers now; and I think the professions of
literature and of teaching give small promise. What Japan needs are
scientific men; and she will need more and more of them every year.
To-day you are fortunate; but nothing in this world is sure. Suppose you
were obliged suddenly to depend entirely on your own unassisted power to
make money,--would it not then be necessary to do something practical?
Certainly it would. And _according to the rarity of your abilities_
would be your remuneration,--your money-making power. Even the Queen of
England obliged her children to learn professions.
Now scientific men are still comparatively rare in Japan. The
science-classes in the colleges are small. Many students begin the
study,--but they find it hard for them, and give it up. Nevertheless, it
is _just because it is hard_ that it is so important and of such high
value to the person who masters it. If you were my son, or brother,
I would say to you, "Study science,--applied science; study for a
practical profession." As for languages and other subjects, you can
study them whenever you please. The practical knowledge is the only
important knowledge now,--and your whole life will depend upon your
present studies.
You asked whether philology was difficult. Science _is_
difficult,--really difficult; but everything worth having in this world
is difficult to get, exactly in proportion to its value. The only
question, I think, should be, "What study will be most useful to me all
through life?" But not whether it is difficult. What is important to
know is always difficult to learn. Philology is difficult; practical
science is difficult;--both are very difficult. But philology would
never be of much use to you, unless you have a natural genius for
language-study. And science would be of immense value to you, whether
you have any genius or not. You will need, however, as I said before,
mathematical study to fit you for that. And I would also remind you of
this:--
Hundreds of students leave the university without any real profession,
and without any practical ability to make themselves useful. All
cannot become teachers, or lawyers, or clerks. They become _soshi_, or
they become officials, or they do nothing of any consequence. Their
whole education has been of no real use to them, because it has not
been _practical_. Men can succeed in life only by their ability to
_do_ something, and three fourths of the university students can _do_
nothing. Their education has been only _ornamental_.
Faithfully yours,
LAFCADIO HEARN.