10. Bear with the impertinence of conversation. Something may be learned from them, or some opportunity may be given you to put in a sentiment more a-propos. Besides, what appears low and flat to you, may not to another*.

Lastly. Appear perfectly free, friendly, wellpleased, easy, and unreserved. This will make others so; and draw out many a good thought from them and is much more pleasing than a studied politeness, and all the usual arts of commonplace civility+.

That which makes common conversation so nauseous, are the applauses bestowed on follies. Narrow souls admire every thing, and cry up the least trifles that ought to be let pass. That which becomes a well-bred man on these occasions is, to say nothing. It would be a criminal complaisance to applaud offensive fooleries. It would be likewise a faulty delicacy to bear with nothing but what is exquisite, and to express contempt for every thing that is flat and trivial. Id. p. 346.

↑ However it is extolled, as the great art of conversation, to appear with the utmost openness and civility, when you are most upon the reserve: yet, as it is not only the ordinary dress of courtiers and travellers, but an art that frequently belongs to the shops, the covering is much more transparent than they who act under it are apt to think. And besides, such an address is really nauseous amongst friends; and the greatest masters of this artful smoothness seldom deceive others thereby, so much as themselves. Vid. Advice to a Son, p. 31.

CHAP. V.

CHAP. V.

CONCERNING THE IMPROVEMENT OF OUR
THOUGHTS WHEN ALONE.

A

STUDENT (like a philosopher) should never be less alone than when alone. Then it is that, (if it be no this own fault,) he may enjoy the best of com

pany.

Next to the regulation of the appetites and passions, the most important branch of self-government is the command of our thoughts; which, without a strict guard, will be as apt to ramble, as the other to rebel. The great difficulty will be to keep them fixed and steadily employed upon your subject. To this end let the mind be calm and dispassionate-view your theme in every light-collect your best thoughts upon it-clothe those thoughts in words, and consider how Mr. Addison, Mr. Melmoth, or any other writer you admire, would express the same-guard against a vagrancy or dissipation of your thoughts-recal them when they

are

are rambling, and observe by what connexion of ideas or images they are enticed away from their work, and refix them more diligently-if you have á pen and ink at hand, set down your best sentiments on paper-if your subject be of a religious nature, it may not be amiss to recollect some proper text of scripture, as a standard to which you may recal your vagrant forces.

Let the matter of your meditations be something seasonable, important, or entertaining. Consult the temper your mind is in, or ought to be in at that time; and let your subject be suitable to it.

Take care that nothing vain or vicious steal into your mind when alone. Hereby you make yourself a very bad companion to yourself; and become your own tempter.

If the place or occasion will admit it, think vivá voce, or utter your thoughts aloud.

In your evening meditations, go over in your mind the best things you have read or heard that day, and recollect them the next morning *.

The great advantage of being alone is, that you may chuse your company; either your books, your friend, your God, or yourself. There is another will be ready to intrude, if not resolutely repelled. By the turn of your thoughts you may detect his

* Id quoque perutile fuerit, ante somnum notare quæcunque luce eâ peracta sunt. Ringel, de Rat. Stud. p. 110.

entrance,

entrance, and by what passage he stole in. You may know him by his cloven foot. And you have the best precept, exemplified by the best precedent, how to eject him*.

If books be your subject, or what you lately read and laid up in your memory; your mental employment will be recollection and judgment, Recollection, to recal to your mind the good things you have read; and judgment, to range them under their proper class: And to consider upon what occasion, or in what company it may be proper or useful to produce them.

If you chuse a friend for the companion of your solitude, let it not be merely for your own pleasure. But consider in what manner you may improve or entertain him. Or what it is you would learn from him; and in what manner you may best behave towards him the next time you come into his company.

When you desire to have the great GOD for the object of your contemplation, (as you should always do in your religious retirements), your mind cannot be too serious, composed, and free.

See James iv. 7, compared with Matt. iv. 10.

Now

Here it may be proper to refer the reader, who has not considered the question concerning the existence, power, and influence of the devil, to "An Inquiry into the Scripture Meaning of the word Satan." 1772. Mr. Simpson, on the words Satan, Araßeros, &c. T.

it is that the thoughts will be most apt to revolt and ramble: and the utmost efforts must be used to guard and guide them. Two things in this case you should never forget..

1. Earnestly implore his help, that you may think not only steadily, but worthily of him.

2. Consider him as present with you; and as witness to all the employment of your mind.

Lastly. If you are your own companion, and self-meditation be your business, you have a large field before you*. But one thing be sure not to, neglect, viz. sharply and impartially to reprove yourself, in case of any observable failure; and resolve to amend your conduct in that particular, especially when the same circumstances recur.

See Self-Knowledge, part iii, chap. 1.

END OF PART I

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PART II.