in the history of his native state. During this long period of repose --
the interval between his shipwreck, and removal to Pond Bluff, -- we are only
left to conjecture his employments. Beyond his agricultural labors,
we may suppose that his chief tasks were the cultivation of his mind,
by close application to those studies which, in the condition of the country,
sparsely settled, and without teachers, were usually very inadequately urged.
It does not appear that his acquisitions in this respect were more valuable
than could be afforded at the present day by the simplest grammar-school
of the country. Here again we may trace the resemblance between his career
and that of Washington. Equally denied the advantages of education,
they equally drew from the great mother-sources of nature.
Thrown upon their own thoughts, taught by observation and experience --
the same results of character, -- firmness, temperance, good sense,
sagacious foresight, and deliberate prudence -- became conspicuous
in the conduct and career of both. In the fortunes of neither --
in the several tasks allotted to them, -- in their various situations, --
did their deficiencies of education appear to qualify their successes,
or diminish the respect and admiration of those around them, --
a singular fact, as indicative equally of the modesty, the good sense,
and the superior intrinsic worth of both of these distinguished persons.
In the case of Marion, his want of education neither lessened his energies,
his confidence in himself, nor baffled any of his natural endowments.
On the contrary, it left his talents free to their natural direction.
These, it is probable, were never of a kind to derive, or to need,
many advantages from a very superior or scientific education. His mind was
rather practical than subtile -- his genius prompted him to action,
rather than to study, -- and the condition and necessities of the country,
calling for the former rather than the latter character,
readily reconciled him to a deficiency the importance of which
he did not feel.