or Goldsmith's may be read next. It will be easier still, to read the little History again as far as Henry VII., and the rest in Keightley: next, read in Hume any reign, war, or negotiation, which excites your curiosity, and so strengthen the stem of your tree, as before explained, as much as you please. That you may have the satisfaction of tracing its gradual growth, make a memorandum on the simple drawing by which this tree is represented, just as the works of Rapin, Lingard, and other narrators of the same events are wholly, or partially, read to combat or corroborate the views of Hume.

So far then you have been instructed how to gain a more or less substantial outline of English history. To strengthen your mental powers, and to multiply your literary stores, so far as to be invincible at every point of so long a line, is not much more easy to effect or more judicious to attempt, than to man the wall of China. Like a good general, be content to concentrate your. forces-to" divide" off and " conquer," first one part, and then another. You may be agreeably surprised by finding that the intermediate parts, when left by themselves, are less formidable than they appear, and readily give way as you become a more practised assailant. Consider that so far you have reconnoitred the general face of the

country: the next thing is to select one portion for a more searching and minute examination.

The leading principles on which you should choose a portion of history to be made a strong point for deep study are, First, to be guided by your own taste and curiosity: to sail into the wide ocean of truth, go with the current of your

nature.

Secondly, to choose, according to your own necessities, whatever will be useful in business or give you confidence in society. As a general rule, read what others read. Conversation is often more improving than books; therefore, read to profit by conversation. If you would be improved by a visit to Paris, you must learn French; if by a visit to London, or by joining any particular society, whether of men of business, men of science, or men of literature, you must study, if not the language, at least the thoughts and topics of such society. You will otherwise feel as much out of your element as a sheriff's chaplain when dining with the judge on his circuit.

Thirdly, to read subjects which afford most matter for reflection. To be wise is both the surest and most profitable way to seem wise. Read those subjects which involve most principles. Principles are the most handy, convertible, port

able, and prolific of all species of literary property; therefore,

Fourthly, read one good comprehensive account of a revolution, protracted war, or other everrecurring phenomena of human society. Then, ex uno disce omnia, that is, gain so intimate a knowledge of one that you may anticipate the chief characteristics of all. This was the secret of Edmund Burke's attainments. His letter to Lord Charlemont at the commencement of the French Revolution, is considered to evince almost the power of prophecy. Niebuhr had so deeply studied Roman history, that he ventured to assert, after a lapse of about 2000 years, an opinion of the early constitution of Rome in direct contradiction to classical authorities. By the recovery of some lost books of Cicero de Republicâ, his conclusion was proved correct. One of my friends was assured by Niebuhr, that before he had read the summary of a lost decade of Livy, he wrote down the substance of what it contained. Another illustration of how far a little good intellectual coin may be made to go, is afforded by Gibbon, chap. xxxi., in which he conjectures the history of the unrecorded years between the withdrawing of the Romans from Britain and the descent of the Saxons.

These are the leading principles on which you

should select "a strong point" in history; and on which I have selected, by way of example and illustration, the following portions:—

1st, The early history till about the time of the Conquest.

2dly, The era of the Middle Ages, including the feudal system, chivalry, and the crusades.

3dly, The beginning of modern history, marked by the art of printing, the use of gunpowder and the compass, the discovery of America, and the developement of the colonial system.

4thly, The civil wars.

5thly, The Revolution of 1688.

6thly, From the accession of George III. to the present time.

I will now consider these eras separately, and point out a course of reading upon each: and,

First, ON EARLY ENGLISH HISTORY. This portion will afford amusement to one fond of antiquities—would constitute a good preparation for any university-student going to the bar, but is only to be recommended to those of mature understanding.

Now, reader, what is your object? If you only wish to thicken and strengthen the lower part of your historical tree by other outlines of early history to run parallel with those already laid down, read a short sketch in Tytler's "Uni

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versal History," vol. iv. " Family Library:" also "The Romans in Britain," and "The AngloSaxons," forming one volume of the "Family Library" to which the more voluminous reader may either add or prefer Turner's " History of the Anglo-Saxons," or, which is the shortest of all, Hume's " Appendix on the Anglo-Saxon Government," and "Kemble's Anglo-Saxons;" besides, or instead of all these, read Mackintosh's History of England," vol. i. The very profound inquirer may also refer to the authorities quoted in the foot-notes. "Chalmer's Caledonia" treating of the Roman period, is recommended in Professor Smyth's lectures,-lectures well worthy the attention of every reader of modern history. On the Roman period read also Tacitus's Agricola; Murphy's translation was recommended by Edmund Burke, as one of the best in our language. There are also translations of Cæsar and Suetonius, which should be consulted. Dr. Smyth remarks that Gibbon, c. xxxi., supplies by ingenious conjecture the history of the years between 400 and 449. On the Druids, read the account in "Cæsar;" also a concise history in Southey's "Book of the Church." The history which treats of them most fully is Henry's "Britain,” b. i. c. 4. where we have their history, manners, learning, and religion. For the progress of religion in those