should be read over and over again: for as we imperceptibly slide into the manners and habits of those persons, 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, whom we have most frequently read, and who have left the deepest impressions on our mind. Now, in order to retain what you read on the various subjects that fall under the head of morality, I would advise you to mark with a pencil whatever you find particularly worth remembering. If a passage should strike you, mark it in the margin; if an expression, draw a line under it; if a whole paper in the forementioned books, or any others which are written in the same loose and unconnected manner, make an asterisk, over the first line. By these means you will select the most valuable parts; which, by being distinguished from the rest, will, on repeated reading, sink deeper in your memory.

The last article is poetry. To distinguish good poetry from bad, turn it out of verse into prose, and see whether the thought is natural, and the words are adapted to it; or whether they are not too big and sounding, or too low and mean for the sense which they would convey. This rule will prevent you from being imposed on by bombast and fustian, which, with many, pass for sublime: smooth verses that run off the ear with an easy cadence and harmonious turn, very often impose nonsense on the world, and are like your fine dressed beaux, who pass for fine gentlemen. Divest both of their outward ornaments, and people are surprised they could have been so easily deluded.

I have now, madam, given you a few rules: I could have added more; but these will be sufficient to enable you to read without burthening your memory, and yet with another view besides that of barely killing time, as too many are accustomed to do *. The task you have imposed on me, is a strong proof of your knowing the true value of time, and having improved it; and that there are other proofs, those who have the pleasure of being acquainted with you

can tell.

Believe me to be, with the utmost sincerity, as I really am, madam,

Your faithful, humble servant,

Isaac Schomberg.

* "Many people," says an ingenious writer, "lose a greal deal of time by reading: for they read absurd romances, where characters that never existed, are insipidly displayed, and sentiments that were never felt, are pompously described; and such sort of idle, frivolous stuff, that nourishes and improves the mind, just as much as whipped cream would the body. Adhere to the best established books in every language; the celebrated poets, historians, orators, and philosophers. By these means, (to use a city metaphor,) you will make fifty per cent. of that time, of which others do not make above three or four, or probably nothing at all.-Lay down a method for your reading; and allot to it a certain share of your time. Let it be in a consistent and consecutive course, and not in that desultory manner, in which many people read scraps of dif ferent authors, upon different subjects. Never read history without having maps, and a chronological book or tables, lying by you, and constantly recurred to; without which, history is a confused heap of facts.At your spare moments, take up a good book of rational amusement, and detached pieces; as Horace, Boileau, La Bruyere, &c. This will be so much time saved, and by no means ill employed."

LETTER X.

John Dunning, esq. to a young gentleman of the

Inner Temple.

Lincoln's-Inn, March 3, 1779.

Dear sir,

The habits of intercourse in which I have lived with your family, joined to the regard which I entertain for yourself, make me solicitous, in compliance with your request, to give you some hints concerning the study of the law.

Our profession is generally ridiculed as being dry and uninteresting; but a mind anxious for the discovery of truth and information, will be amply gratified for the toil, in investigating the origin and progress of a jurisprudence, which has the good of the people for its basis, and the accumulated wisdom and experience of ages for its improvement. Nor is the study itself so intricate as has been imagined; especially since the labours of some modern writers have given it a more regular and scientific form. Without industry, however, it is impossible to arrive at any eminence in practice; and the man who shall be bold enough to attempt excellence by abilities alone, will soon find himself foiled by many, who have inferior understandings, but better attainments.

I imagine that a considerable degree of learning is absolutely necessary. The elder authors frequently wrote in Latin, and the foreign jurists continue the practice to this day. Besides, classical attainments contribute much to the refinement of the understanding, and to the embellishment of the style. The utility of grammar, rhetoric, and logic, is known and felt by every one. Geometry will afford the most apposite examples of close and pointed reasoning; and geography

is of so much use in common life, that there is less credit in knowing it, than dishonour in being unaequainted with it. But it is history, and more particularly that of his own country, which will occupy the attention, and attract the regard, of the great lawyer. A minute knowledge of the political revolutions, and of the judicial decisions of our predecessors, whether in the more ancient or modern eras of our government, is equally useful and interesting. This will include a narrative of all the material alterations in the common law, and the reasons of them.

I would always recommend a diligent attendance on the courts of justice; as by that means, the practice of them, (a circumstance of great moment,) will be easily and naturally acquired. A much stronger impression will be made on the mind by the statement of the case, and the pleadings of the counsel, than by a cold, uninteresting detail of them, in a report. But above all, a trial at bar, or a special argument, should never be neglected. It is usual on these occasions to take notes; a knowledge of short-hand will give such facility to your labours, as to enable you to follow the most rapid speaker with certainty and precision. Common-place books are convenient and useful; and as they are generally lettered, a reference may be had to them in a moment. It is usual to acquire some insight into real business, under an eminent special pleader, previous to actual practice at the bar: this idea I beg leave strongly to second; and, indeed, I have known but a few great men who have not possessed this advantage.

I subjoin a list of books necessary for your perusal and instruction; to which I have annexed some remarks. Wishing that you may add to a successful

practice, that integrity which can alone make you

worthy of it, I remain &c.

John Dunning.

LETTER XI.

Dr. Horne (afterwards bishop of Norwich) to a young

I am much pleased to hear that you have been for some time stationary at Oxford; a place where a man may best prepare himself, to go forth as a burning and shining light, into a world, where charity is waxed cold, and where truth is nearly obscured. Whenever it pleases God to appoint you to the government of a parish, you will find work enough to employ you. Therefore, before that time comes, you should becareful to provide yourself with all necessary knowledge; lest, by and by, when you ought to be building, you should have your materials to look for, and to bring together. Besides, the habit of studying and thinking, if it is not acquired in the first part of life, rarely comes afterwards. For want of spiritual exercises, a man is miserably drawn into the eddy of a worldly dissipation, and knows not how to get out of it again; the faculties of his soul are bentmbed; and he sinks into indolence, till the night cometh, when no man can work." Happy, therefore, is he, who betimes acquires a relish for holy solitude, and accustoms himself in his youth, to bear the yoke of Christ's discipline: who can sit alone, and keep silence, and seek Wisdom diligently where she may be found, in the Scriptures of faith, and in the writings of the Saints: who, from these flowers of Paradise, extracts the honey of knowledge and divine love, and with it fills every cell of his understanding and affections! The winter of affliction, disease, and