sons to avail themselves of all the illustrated works they can procure, as the most fertile source not only of rational amusement but of serious instruction. With the productions of the pencil, as with those of the pen, methodical application and careful comparison of things of the same class are essential to real improvement. By carelessly turning over prints to please the eye, without any effort of the mind, we cannot reasonably hope to receive distinct or lasting impressions. Views of foreign lands and famous cities will serve to fill up many a blank in an inquiring mind; but, as I before said of the qualifications of a traveller, we must have a little knowledge when we begin, if we would retain any when we end.

"Nil sine labore" is true even of looking at pictures. Unless we read and reflect on the scenes we contemplate, and are contented to look only at a few at one time, we shall soon perceive that we have become more confused than informed, and parts of Italy, Spain, and Turkey will insensibly blend in the same picture.

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CHAP. VI.

PHILOSOPHY, MORAL, POLITICAL, MENTAL

a very

METAPHYSICS.

PHILOSOPHY, my young friends, may seem to you hard term, and you may feel disposed to pass by this chapter as wholly unsuited to your taste or talents; but, if you will pay attention for a few minutes, it may appear that to think and reflect, not only on what you see, but on what you feel, and are conscious of as part of your own nature-in other words, to think about your own thoughts and emotions (just as you think about your words and actions), and to examine curiously anything which seems remarkable in such thoughts and emotions or feelings,—you may find, I say, that this kind of exercise is not too severe for your mind when you read, as you should read, a little at a time. And should you be induced to try, the course of reading I have to propose, or indeed any one volume or subject, can hardly fail to produce a very sensible effect upon your mind. For, let me ask, do you not remember some one of your acquaintance who is remarkable for giving a very favourable impression of his good sense and understanding to any person with whom he

happens to converse, although only for a few minutes, and that too upon some topic that gives scope neither for general reading nor deep learning?

Now this mysterious influence, this weight of character, depends chiefly on the exact truth of our thoughts and of our words. "The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth," should be the rule, not only of our legal evidence, but of the most casual of our daily remarks; and I believe that the degree of a man's conformity to this rule is the measure, mentally as well as morally, of his influence upon society. The world often pays homage to this truthfulness of thought and expression without knowing what they reverence. A certain plain and simple way of speaking, so generally admired, is nothing else but the language natural only to those who discern the exact truth of every question, mean what they say, and say what they mean. Rugged sentences of outlandish words of many syllables, flowers, and figures of speech, never please, though many think it creditable to admire them. This style is the reverse of the simple and the truthful, and is only natural to one who is more full of himself than of his subject.

To seek truth for truth's sake has therefore been the laudable object of those called philoso

phers, or lovers of wisdom, both in ancient and modern times. And if my youthful readers will follow the course of reading I have to propose, they can hardly fail to improve both in their own estimation and in that of their friends. To paint the surface of the human figure we must know anatomy, otherwise there will be a want of ease and true expression. To speak correctly on our thoughts and feelings, which directly or indirectly enter into almost every conversation, we must know the real nature of our feelings, or, Moral philosophy, and the laws of thought, or Mental philosophy.

On MORAL PHILOSOPHY the most easy, plain, and intelligible work is that by Paley, which for vigour, freshness, ease, and perspicuity of style, as well as for aptness of illustration, is unrivalled; but many of its principles and definitions savour so much. of casuistry that it is generally believed that Paley would have been incapable of writing so loosely at a later period of his life. This, indeed, is the remark of Professor Sedgewick, whose admirable lectures I should strongly recommend to be read in connection with Paley's “Moral Philosophy."

The moral essays of Johnson's "Rambler” and Addison's "Spectator" should next be selected;

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and then such of Bacon's Essays as appear from their title to relate to this subject.

Next, Combe's " Moral Philosophy," in which are considered the duties of man in his individual, social, and domestic capacities.

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Chalmers's Bridgewater Treatise" contains most ingenious illustrations, and is on the whole well calculated to give information in an amusing way. The style unfortunately is turgid, and contains many words "not found in Johnson." Chalmers's object was to prove how admirably our hearts and minds are suited to the sphere in which we live. So far I have only mentioned works nearly the whole of which a reader of ordinary intelligence and application might study.

I do not presume that many will read all the volumes here recommended. Each may make choice of the chapters which are simple and entertaining enough to rivet his attention.

The following list is for those who have a more decided preference for philosophical works:

Mackintosh's" Dissertations on the Study of Ethical Philosophy." This is an admirably comprehensive work, well suited as a guide to subsequent reading. For the same purpose some recommend

Beattie's" Principles of Moral Science," which have attained much celebrity, but less than