Professor Saintsbury
SIR, I was much interested in the article in the Spectator of July 21st which dealt with the work of Professor George Saintsbury. In this article the writer says, " I am curious to know, for example, where Saintsbury picked up his immense learning. The range of it covers Europe. Yet never was there, you might suppose, such a stay-at-home' When I was a young student in my teens I had the privilege of knowing Professor Saintsbury somewhat intimately, and he showed me much kindness and gave me much valuable advice and help: he was always interested in any student who wished to acquire knowledge. He was a voluminous reader and a fascinating talker, with an amazing knowledge of men and things. One piece of advice he gave me and which he reiterated (and his exact words I have never forgotten) were: " If you want to acquire general knowledge, read an article in a good encyclo. paedia every day, on any subject you like ; for instance, if somebody mentions say, salt, or a place or some well-known name, read the relevant article in an encyclopaedia. I have done this every day for years." In a long life this practice must have added considerably to the sum of his general knowledge.—Yours faithfully, C. E. BOLASI Lincoln.
Previous page
