This distinguished him markedly from the not uncommon working man who zealously pursues some chosen branch of study.
Such men ordinarily take up subjects of practical bearing; physical science is wont to be their field; or if they study history it is from the point of view of current politics.

Taste for literature pure and simple, and disinterested love of historical search, are the rarest things among the self-taught; naturally so, seeing how seldom they come of anything but academical tillage of the right soil.

The average man of education is fond of literature because the environment of his growth has made such fondness a second nature.

Gilbert had conceived his passion by mere grace.

It had developed in him slowly.