ideas. The idle man wishes his time away; while the wise man enjoys it. Without reading, human life would scarcely rise above the common existence of animal nature, we might, indeed, breathe and eat in universal ignorance; but we must want all that gives mental pleasure, and the chief embellishments that delight. Since then the pursuit of letters is attended with so many circumstances peculiarly favourable to innocence and virtue, and consequently of enjoyments the most pure and permanent, those who are fixed in so desirable a life, as a life of learning, ought to be grateful to Providence for their fortunate lot. Young persons should be early introduced to an acquaintance with polite literature, in order to exercise their imagination and form their taste. The sublime conceptions of Milton, the unrivalled invention of Shakespeare, the learning and piety of Addison, the descriptive powers of Thomson, the harmony of Pope, and many exquisite beauties of other admired authors, cannot fail to inspire us with a love of their genius. Authors of such distinguished talents and perfections cannot be studied by a rational and discerning reader without very valuable advantages; their strong sense and manly thoughts will induce us to admire, and endeavour to imitate, the purity and elegance of their diction, and to express our thoughts with similar clearness and energy. But never for a moment let us forget, that it is not reading alone, but due contemplation on what we read, that will imprint their beauties upon the imagination, and their morals upon the heart; and as the principal end of it is to improve the understanding and correct the passions, great care should be taken not to put into the hands of youth, those novels and romances, which may be justly considered as literary poisons; for they are in general_calculated to affect by delusion, and, under the specious appearance of amusement, are seriously injurious. Marvellous and improbable adventures excite an artificial delight,

which men of good sense reject with indifference nearly approaching to contempt. Dr. Johnson said, that he who would perfect his style, should read the Spectators. It was by accidentally seeing a volume of the Spectator, when a boy, that induced him to become a reader and a writer. “I was delighted," said he, " with the style of the Spectator; and was desirous, if possible, to imitate it. In order to succeed, I selected some of the papers, made short summaries of the sense of each period, and laid them aside for some days; after which I endeavoured, without looking at the original, to recompose the essay, and to express at length each thought as it was in the book, employing only such phrases as occurred to my own mind." Dr. Blair likewise observes, "that Mr. Addison's style is the most perfect example; there is not the least affectation in his manner; we see no marks of labour, nothing forced or constrained, but great elegance joined with ease and simplicity. He is in particular distinguished by a character of modesty and politeness, which appears in all his writings. No author has a more popular and insinuating manner; and the great regard which he every where shews for virtue and religion recommends his writings most highly to our serious attention." And Mr. Sterne, in one of his letters.

any

to his daughter, says, "if you have affection for me, or regard for yourself, let it be your constant practice to read a Spectator* every day, the advantages will be more than can be conceived. Time so employed will give you solid information, or innocent amusement; therefore, as it will be my greatest pride to see you in no wise deficient in the most valuable of all accomplishments-good sense, let me hope the above-advice may be strictly attended to." Finally; when reading aloud, either to a

To which might have been added the Guardian, Rambler, Tatler, Adventurer, Mirror, &c.

friend or to yourself, observe the proper stops; mark the emphatical words; and never give into mumbling or unintelligible utterance. When a correct habit is once gained, the advantage will be incalculable. It gives perspicuity, grace, and harmony to discourse; it assists the minds of the hearers, by making the order, series, 'connection, and distinction of parts more evident; it renders articulation natural, and prescribes its just bounds and pauses of different kinds, as the sense requires. How infinitely short of true gratification and delight do we often find the best written poems, when delivered in a cold and lifeless monotony! Weariness and inattention will be found in proportion as the beauties of an author are more or less abused. On the contrary, how commanding the power of expression, from a different manner of reading the same author, where a just and spirited emphasis is so highly essential to point out those interesting passages, which are more particularly designed to delight the ima gination and affect the heart..

STUDY;

OR

THE PROGRESS OF THE MIND.

IT is equally the interest and duty of every person to

improve his understanding, to inform his judgment, and to treasure up useful knowledge. Of all our desires, perhaps, the desire of wisdom is that, of which the gratifications are the most pure and unmixed, as well as the most permanent; and which being, at the same time, the least liable to cloy or satiate, afford the most certain and ample means of durable and solid happiness.

Knowledge, by time, advances slow and wise,
Turns every where its deep discerning eyes;
Sees what befel, and what may yet befal,
Concludes from both, and best provides for all.
When first the trembling eye receives the day,
External forms on young perception play;
External forms affect the mind alone,

Their diff'rent pow'rs and properties unknown.
See the pleas'd infant court the flaming brand,
Eager to grasp the glory in its hand!

The chrystal wave, as eager to pervade,
Stretch its fond arms to meet the smiling shade!
When memory's call the mimic words obey,
And wing the thought that faulters on its way;
When wise experience her slow verdict draws,
The sure effect exploring in the cause,

In Nature's rude, but not unfruitful wild,
Reflection springs, and reason is her child:
On her fair stock the blooming scyon grows,
And brighter through revolving seasons blows.

Whatever is to be our profession, no study is more necessary than the acquirement of virtuous dispositions and habits. A composed and happy temper, with a heart at ease, is the most favourable circumstance to improve the mind, and regulate the will. He, that can govern himself according to the rules of reason and good sense, will set bounds to his zeal by discretion, to error by truth, and thus to all his actions give an inexpressible grace. Let us all therefore endeavour to qualify ourselves for the intercourse of mankind, by the acquisition of knowledge and the exercise of the benevolent affections, by which we may become ornaments to society, and derive from our exertions the highest felicity.

Blest in themselves, how happy those we find,
Who know by merit to engage mankind;
Prais'd by each tongue, by ev'ry Heart belov'd,
For virtues practis'd, and for arts improv'd:
Their easy aspects shine with smiles serene,
And all is peace and happiness within:
Their sleep is ne'er disturb'd by fears or strife,
Nor lust, nor wine, impair the springs of life.

External graces all decay,

Their pow'r is quickly past,

A well-form'd mind extends their sway,
And bids each beauty last.

The best knowledge is that which is of the greatest use and necessity to us. Curious speculations and contemplations of things that do not concern us, nor serve to promote our happiness, are but a more specious and ingenious sort of idleness, a more pardonable and creditable