BOOKS. BOOKS are not only our most faithful companions, that at all times entertain us; but the chief instruments, or means, by which we acquire knowledge. They are the source whence we derive the sacred truths of our religion, and the important advantages of general information. And, next to the blessing of health, the happiness of this life consists, in a great measure, in a choice collection of books, and in the society of a few select friends. The value of a book must be estimated by its use; it is not enough that it delight, unless, at the same time, that it instruct the reader; for as incitements to virtue, and discouragements from vice, drawn from the wisest reasons, the strongest motives, and the most influencing examples, imprint their beauties upon the imagination, and their morals on the heart; young minds are early filled with an inclination to good, and an abhorrence of evil, both which increase in them according to the advances, which they make in literature. To this end it has been earnestly recommended, by some of our best writers, to carry about us a book of extracts, to read in moments of leisure, and when we are occasionally alone; by which means we may reap, in a few days, the fruits of many years' labour. A friend, a book, the stealing hours secure, Alphonsus the Roman Emperor used to say, that his dead counsellors, meaning his books, were to him far better than the living; for they, without flattery, fear, or bashfulness, presented to him truth, without disguise. The book of man he read with nicest art, And trac'd each passion to its proper source. Bishop Sanderson, having acquired a large fund of useful knowledge, was once asked, how he attained it; the inquirer supposing he must have read a great number of books. The bishop answered," he had read but few; but that those authors, he had read, were well chosen; that he had made them his study, and had never let a single sentence pass without thoroughly making himself master of the author's meaning." The excellent education of the Romans made them studious almost from their infancy. They were early inspired with a taste for the most excellent writers. That taste, instilled so soon, grew strong with years, and inclined them to delight in the society of the learned, whose conversation might supply the place of reading. Moral writings shew the virtue and wisdom of a nation. They discover, in the community at large, a capacity to understand, a heart to feel, virtue to animate, and wisdom to promote, the noblest works of humanity and civilization, for the glorious purposes of God and man. But, as we sometimes see youth fall into error and folly, not because the true principles of action are not known to them, but because, for a time, they are not remembered; those books may, therefore, be justly numbered among the most useful, wherein the great rules of life are contracted into so narrow a compass, that by being their constant companions, they are imperceptibly led into the practice of exemplary duty; and consequently guarded against indiscretion, and those inadvertencies, that are the greatest enemies to their peace. They, who have leisure, and inclination, to visit other countries, as well as those, who read voyages and travels, should ever remember, that the great object of remark is human life. Every nation has something particular in its manufactures, its works of genius, its medicines, its agriculture, its customs, and its polity. He only is useful to himself, or others, who brings home something, by which his country may be benefited; who procures some supply of want, or some mitigation of This enables us to compare our condition with that of others; to improve it, whenever it is worse, and, whenever it is better, to enjoy it. evil. Books rightly us'd may every state secure: To these we owe each fair instructive page, But thanks to those, whose fond paternal care READING. THOSE, who are not sensible of the advantages of reading, deprive themselves of the most useful of all pleasures; for it is to the mind, what exercise is to the body: as, by the one, health is preserved, strengthened and invigorated; so by the other, virtue, which is the health of the mind, is kept alive, cherished, and confirmed. But if any one read with other intentions than those of becoming wiser and better, his labour is lost, and his time thrown away. Youth should pursue reading with ardour; but, at the same time, with steadiness; which are necessary to the attainment of knowledge and of truth. These qualities are certainly not the earliest product of the mind, but require the aid of time, attention, and experience, to bring them to maturity. To raise the superstructure, there must be a solid foundation in the mind itself. This, with due application, will imperceptibly lead us to attain the noblest distinction of which human nature is capable, the perfection of reason. By reading, we enjoy the dead; by conversation, the living; and, by contemplation, ourselves. Reading enriches the memory, conversation polishes the wit, and contemplation improves the judgment: of these, reading is the most important; as it furnishes both the others. Those, whom Providence has blessed with the faculties of thinking and of judging, are enabled to form their hearts, and direct their choice. From their reading they will collect a just estimate of the world, and of all around 1 them; and as they will cherish no unreasonable expecta tions, they will be exempted from severe disappointment. Among the happy effects of a studious life, it is not the least, that it withdraws us from those scenes and pursuits, in which some find it difficult to preserve their innocence and peace. Imagine for a moment, that we had it in our power to call up the shades of the greatest and wisest men that ever existed, to converse with us on the most interesting topicks, what a privilege should we think it, how superior to all common enjoyments! May we not, with truth, say, that, by having a just sense of the finer beauties of composition, we, in fact, partake of this valuable privilege. For as we imperceptibly slide into the manners and habits of those with whom we most frequently converse; so reading being, as it were, a silent conversation, we insensibly write and talk in the style of the authors we have most frequently read, and who have left the deepest impressions on our mind. Aurelius, the Roman Emperor, used to say, he would not part with the little he had learned, for all the gold in the world, and that he had more glory from what he had read, and written, than from all the victories he had won, and all the realms he had conquered. History, morality, and poetry, include all useful learning. The first employs the memory, the second the judgment, and the last the imagination. When reading history, make abstracts of memorable events, and the remarkable actions of distinguished persons; you will find these great helps to your memory, which, by a sort of chain, links the whole history together. Now as reading and correct writing are the great pleasures and ornaments of life, what can be more interesting to our well-being than those effusions, that ele vate the conceptions, harmonize the temper, enrich the mind, and assist in forming the accomplished character! Thus we may truly say, that the hours we employ in reading and reflection are lengthened by improving our |