The life and letters of Lafcadio Hearn . theidea of becoming a philologist, scarcely seems to mea hopeful undertaking for you. Philology meansa great deal, including the comparative study oflanguages; and it requires a very special natural giftin acquiring languages, to be of any very practicalvalue to you. It would also require, I think, yearsof study in foreign universities. I am not quite surewhat you mean by philology, and what your purposein following that course w^ould be. You might, ofcourse, do as many do — take the literary and philo-logical course at the university. But the question,
The life and letters of Lafcadio Hearn . theidea of becoming a philologist, scarcely seems to mea hopeful undertaking for you. Philology meansa great deal, including the comparative study oflanguages; and it requires a very special natural giftin acquiring languages, to be of any very practicalvalue to you. It would also require, I think, yearsof study in foreign universities. I am not quite surewhat you mean by philology, and what your purposein following that course w^ould be. You might, ofcourse, do as many do — take the literary and philo-logical course at the university. But the question,to my mind, seems to be this: *What would bethe 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 studyof languages ? If you do, are you quite sure youhave the particular kind of talent required (for,remember, everybody cannot become a philologistany more than everybody can become a mathema-tician) ? The truth is, I do not know enough about your. oo E W1-1 ©•? Q i H O xnWH O D oas CM u TO MASANOBU OTANI 163 circumstances and intentions and abilities to adviseyou well. I can only tell you in a general way whatI think. I think you ought not to study what would notbe of practical use to you in after-life. I am alwaysglad to hear of a student studying engineering,architecture, medicine (if he has the particularmoral character which medicine requires), or anybranch of applied science. I do not like to see allthe fine boys turning to the study of law, insteadof to the study of science or technology. Of coursemuch depends upon the mathematical faculty. Ifyou have that faculty, I would strongly advise youto direct all your studies toward a scientific pro-fession — something really practical, — engineering,architecture, electricity, chemistry, etc. If youshould ask which, I could not tell you, becauseI do not know your own highest capacities in suchdirections. I would only say, — * Whate
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