serve to be read through ten times, than others once *.

6. Before you sit down to a book, taste it; i.e. examine the title-page, preface, contents and index; then turn to the place where some important article is discussed: observe the writer's diction, argument, method, and manner of treating it. And if after two or three such trials, you find he is obscure, confused, pedantic, shallow, or trifling, depend upon it he is not worth your reading.

Lastly. If the book be your own, make marks at the margin against those passages where the sentiment is well conceived or expressed, and worth your remembering or retailing; or transfer it into your common-place book, under the head your author is treating of; or at least a reference to it†. In reading an ancient Latin or Greek author, it will be a help to the memory to transcribe the passages that struck you most, in the spare leaves at the beginning or end of the book, in English; and, by thus skimming off the cream, you will have it always ready for use. If you meet with a happy

* Decies repetita placebunt. Juv.

† Inter legendum authorem non oscitanter observabis, si quod incidat insigne verbum, si quod argumentum, aut inventum acutè, aut tortum aptè, si qua sententia digna quæ memoriæ commendetur: isque locus erit aptâ notulâ quapiam insigniendus. Erasm. de Rat. Stud.

3

expression

expression, or even one well-chosen word on any, subject, which you may have occasion to use, (and wish it may occur to you when you are at a loss for expressions), mark it, and make it your own for ever*. Thus you will read with taste and profit, and avoid the censure which falls upon

A bookish blockhead, ignorantly read,

With loads of learned lumber in his head.

Qui vilissinos quosque

Quanto pluris feceris exiguum proventum, tanto ad altiora doctrinæ vestigia es evasurus. nummos admirantur, intuenter crebro, et servant accuraté, ad summas sæpenumero divitias perveniunt; pari modo, si quis aptarit sudorum metam benê scribere, discat mirari benê scripta, discat gaudere, si vel nomina duo conjunxerit venuste. Rin. de Rat. Stud. p. 111.

СНАР.

CHAP. III.

HOW TO STUDY TO ADVANTAGE.

HERE we must consider both the subjects and

method.

As to the subjects of your study.

Consider what will make you most eminent and useful in your profession*: this kind of study is to be your serious business, and daily and diligently prosecuted. In all your reading keep this point in view.

A traveller should have his right road and the end of his journey always in his eye, whatever little diversions or excursions he may indulge by the

* Quisquis verbum Domini statuit sincerè prædicare, perpetuus et assiduus sit oportet in sancti propositi meditatione, ut sibi constent omnia vitæ studia. Eras. Eccl. p. 6, 7.

Quemadmodum enim non inscitè dixit quidam," tum eruditum appellandum esse, non qui didicerit plurima, sed qui optima maximaque necessaria ;" ita non est necesse ut futurus Ecclesiastes in quibuslibet consumat operam atque -sed ea primum ac potissimum discat quæ ad docendi munus sunt accommodatissima. Id. p. 92, 93.

ætatem

way.

way. You may sometimes be, nescio quid meditans nugarum, but do not be totus in illis*.

To an acquaintance with books join the study of human nature. Your own heart, passions, temper, humour, habits, and dispositions, will be the books you have most need to consult on this subjectt. For human nature, in the main strokes of it, is much the same in all the human species. Next to this, your observations on the ways and characters and tempers of men, will be of great help to you; together with some books where human nature is strongly and finely painted, in its various shapes and appearances.

It is not beneath the Christian philosopher to take some pains to be acquainted with the world; or the humours, manners, forms, ceremonies, characters, and customs of men: at least so far as is necessary to avoid singularity and a disagreeable awkwardness, and to preserve a decorum and an easy address in all company.

A student should not think any thing unworthy his attention and notice, that has a tendency either to make him more agreeable or more useful to others. Some regard is therefore due to dress, be

*Hor. Sat. 1. 1. s. 9.

† Vid. Self-knowledge, part i. chap. 9-11.

Les hommes sont à-peu-pres tous faits de la même maniere; et ainsi ce qui nous a touché, les ouchera aussi.Ostervald de l'exercice du Ministére, p. 134.

haviour,

haviour, the usual forms of civility, and whatever contributes to the art of pleasing. Among these, I would particularly recommend a habit of expressing his sentiments freely and properly upon any subject. Let his style and language be studied principally with this view.

As to the method of studying to advantage.

Pray for a divine blessing on your studies; that God would guide you into the most useful knowledge and all important truths; direct your subjects, and assist your meditations upon them.

Procure a collection of the best and most approved books, which treat of the sciences you chiefly desire to cultivate, and make yourself master of them in the way before prescribed.

Consult your own genius and inclination in the study you intend to pursue: You will else row against the tide, and make no progress that is either comfortable or creditable to yourself.

Compose your spirits, fix your thoughts, and be wholly intent on the subject in hand. Never pretend to study whilst the mind is not recovered from a hurry of cares, or the perturbations of passion.— Such abrupt and violent transitions is a discipline to which it will not easily submit, especially if it has not been well managed and long accustomed to it. Aurora musis amica, necnon vespera: because the mind is then commonly most free and disengaged. Let the scene of your studies be a place of silence