8. Conclusion. Consult others as to what books are to be read; avoid everything coarse, sentimental, or controversial. VII. ON COMMERCE. Introduction. The many and various ways by which a nation's welfare is provided for: a strong religious feeling, a high tone of morality, a generally diffused education, &c. 1. Commerce among these blessings; its effects. 2. An ancient practice. Who were the most commercial people among the ancients? 3. In modern times: Venetians, Genoese, Portuguese, Dutch, English, and Americans. 4. Mention some of the commodities of the northern and of the southern nations. 5. What advantages are mutually derived from this intercourse? 6. Mention the articles of commerce drawn from America, Australia, and India. 7. How does commerce tend to civilise mankind, and make the probabilities of war less frequent? 8. Show the state of those countries that refuse to establish a commercial intercourse with other nations-China Japan, &c.—and draw a conclusion. VIII. ON TRAVELLING. Introduction. The superiority of the sight over the other senses. What we see makes a deeper impression than what we hear or read of. 1. Hence the utility of travelling. 2. But the profit depends on the spirit in which we travel. 3. Various purposes of travel: all may be combined with instruction. 4. The world greatly indebted to travellers. How? 5. Sir John Mandeville, Marco Polo, Captain Cook, Bruce, Franklin, Parry, &c. 6. Novelty the cause of the pleasure derived from travelling. 7. Much to be seen in England itself, as well as on the Continent. 8. Reading, conversation, observation, and travelling, the principal sources of knowledge. IX. ON AGRICULTURE. Introduction. Difference between natural and artificial occupations. 1. Agriculture the primitive occupation of our first parents. 2. Cultivation of corn, vegetables, fruits, flowers, &c, 3. Variety of soils, drainage, rotation of crops, &c. 4. The application of chemistry to agriculture. 5. Agriculture a universal practice in all civilised countries. 6. Reclaiming of tracts of land from the sea, &c. 7. Systems of farming; improvement of the land, &c. 8. Precariousness of this occupation; the profits of farming. Concluding remarks. X. ON GOOD HUMOUR. Introduction. The variety of dispositions: the grave, the gay, the serious, the witty, &c. 1. Difference between humour and temper; Johnson's definition of good humour. 2. Is this state of mind natural or acquired? and, if acquired, how? 3. Arguments in favour of good humour. What are its effects on ourselves and others? 4. Good humour no proof of silliness; perfectly compatible with good sense. 5. Is it possible for the morose and gloomy to become good-humoured? 6. By what means could this change be effected? 7. The example shown by the good-humoured. 8. Conclusion. A quality so frequently requiredattainable by all-the advantages of acquiring this habit, &c. XI. ON MANNERS. Introduction. First impressions are lasting: most people judge by external appearance. 1. Various forms of manner: stiff, formal, cold, polite, reserved, timid, gentle, self-possessed, &c. 2. True politeness founded on a benevolent feeling. 3. The manners should be a true index to the character; otherwise hypocritical. 4. Without a proper foundation, polished manners are worthless. 5. Grace in action and words, as well as in feeling. L 6. A mistaken notion that rough manners prove honesty of character. 7. Learning, or knowledge, does not, of necessity, give us good manners. 8. Conclusion. Good manners command esteem, affection, and bring many other advantages. XII. ON GOVERNMENT. Introduction. The wide acceptation of many words, and the necessity to understand all their meanings. 1. Government of self- family - patriarchal - political, &c. 2. The necessity for this principle; consequences if suddenly changed or abolished. 3. How to govern ourselves: vigilance, meditation, self-examination; a sense of our weakness, and dependence on a Supreme Being, &c. 4. Justice required in governing others; no undue preference or dislike, or . . . (?) 5. Various forms of political government: the welfare of a people mainly depends on the government; responsibility of the rulers. 6. The Monarchical and the Republican forms. 7. What arguments may be adduced in favour of, or against, each? 8. The English form of government its advantages; would it equally well suit other nations? 9. Conclusion. General reflections: the infirmities of nature evil inclinations must be curbed. security of life and property maintained, &c. List of general Subjects for Composition. 1. On the order of litera ture. 2. On the commercial spirit 3. On architecture. 6. On the drama. 7. On the history of the 16th century. 8. On rhetoric. 9. On English history. 10. On superstition. 11. On vulgar errors. 12. On economy. 13. On ceremonies. 19. On the physical philosophy of the middle ages. 20. On variety. 21. On our duties towards animals. 25. On the British essayists. 27. On advice. 29. On the causes and consequences of war. 30. On the Crusades. 31. On the passion of fear. 14. On the influence of popular 33. On chivalry. writers. 15. On colonization. 34. On the communes of France. 35. On the Reformation. 16. On the education of the 36. On treaties of peace. poor. 37. On the causes of war. 17. On the character of the 38. On patriotism. Another form of writing which may be proposed as a useful exercise for the reasoning power, is when a question is put in such a form as to admit of two answers. On many subjects there may be a variety of opinions, some directly opposed to others. People may, and very often do, admit the truth of a general proposition, but differ as to particulars. Most people, now-a-days, agree in the opinion that education is desirable; but there is a very wide difference of opinion |