Literary Character of Men of Genius Drawn from Their Own Feelings and Confessions
CHAPTER VI.
The first studies.--The self-educated are marked by stubborn peculiarities.--Their errors.--Their improvement from the neglect or contempt they incur.--The history of self-education in Moses Mendelssohn.--Friends usually prejudicial in the youth of genius. --A remarkable interview between Petrarch in his first studies, and his literary adviser.--Exhortation. 55