scandal. But if you have no persons to converse with, who care to hear about such things, then think the more; which is like conversing with yourselves. Some time or other, you will, very probably, have friends or companions, who will like to hear what you have learned, and be instructed by it.-To help you to remember any particular passages in a book, put in a loose paper, at each place; or, if the book is your own, make a little mark with a pencil, and write the number of each page so marked, on a blank leaf at the end of the book and before you lay aside the book, read over those passages two or three times.

3. When you meet with a word, which you do not understand, ask the meaning of it, or look for it in a dictionary; and try to remember it, in order that you may not be at a loss when you meet with it again. If you have not a dictionary, nor any person near you whom you can ask, read the whole sentence over again, very attentively; and perhaps you will be able to make out the meaning of the word which you wish to understand. Many things seem difficult at first; but when they have been read over two or three times, and well considered, they are fully understood.

4. Do not aim to run through a great many books, even if you could easily procure them, and have plenty of leisure; but rather read a few, well-chosen books, slowly and attentively, and several times over. When you have finished reading a book, consider, before you begin another, what you have learned from it, that is useful, and most worth remembering. If it contained an account of good persons, or actions, consider whether you have done your best to imitate them. If it instructed you in some particular duty, consider whether

you have done your best to practise it.-A little read in this way, is more improving than many volumes, however excellent in themselves, read over in a hasty, careless manner.

5. Never read in working hours; especially if you are in service, or, any way, engaged to work for others. And never take other people's books to read, without their leave.

6. Be careful not to lose your books; or to soil, or any way, damage them, more than you can help. Put covers on those which you frequently use. Do not turn down the corners, or any part of the leaves; but when you wish to know where you leave off, or to find any particular part, put in a slip of paper, or some other little mark. In turning over the leaves, do not wet your finger; that is not at all necessary, and soils a book much but with your forefinger just touch the leaf, either at the top, or the bottom, and it will immediately separate from the rest. Be particularly careful of borrowed books. Return them, with thanks, to the owners, as soon as you have done with them, or think they will be wanted: never wait to be asked for them.

:

very

7. Let nothing tempt you to read a bad book, or song, or paper of any kind: if you have unawares begun it, do not finish it; throw it aside. Wicked people often try to corrupt young persons by giving them bad books, or papers, to read. There are so many silly and wicked books in the world, that young people who wish to be wise and good, should be very careful not to buy, or even to read, any book, without knowing from some person whom they can rely upon, whether it is proper for them to read. It is better not to read at all, than to read bad books. They put wicked, silly

thoughts into our minds; and drive out good ones. "A bad book," it is truly said, "is the worst of thieves:" it robs us of time, money, and principles.

8. If you can read well, and remember what you read, and if you have read many books, be careful that you do not become proud, or conceited; or despise any persons, especially those of your own family, who are ignorant, or who can read but very little. Consider that if they had had the kind friends, and the opportunities of improvement, that you have had, they would, very likely, have been wiser than you are. Consider too, that they who know the best, ought to do the best; and that they ought to take pleasure in instructing those, who have not been so well taught as themselves. How grievous it must be for parents, especially for those who have spent a great deal of money, and put themselves to much inconvenience, that their children might have more learning than themselves, to be despised or insulted by them, when they grow up! Think of the good boy of Dundee; his mother could not read, nor write: but he did not scorn her for that; he taught her to read. Above all, think of the blessed child Jesus: who, after he had been sitting, at twelve years of age, "in the midst of the doctors both hearing them, and asking them questions, so that all who heard him were astonished at his understanding and his answers, went down with his parents, and was SUBJECT unto them; and increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man." (Luke ii. 46–52.)

9. To read the Bible, and other good books, to people who have never learned to read, or who are sick or blind, or who have not time to read, is very kind and proper.

If

you

should sometimes think it troublesome or fati

guing, remember that if you do it with a patient, humble, and willing mind, you may improve yourselves by it; you may, very much, comfort, instruct, and oblige, those to whom you read; and above all, you may please the great God himself, who never overlooks, or forgets, any truly good action, however small it may appear.

Let

10. When you read aloud to other people, pronounce every word very distinctly. Mind the stops. Do not read so low that people can scarcely hear you; nor so loud as to stun them. Lay the greatest stress on the most important words in a sentence. your voice be a little lower at the end of a sentence, unless a question is asked. If ever you hear good readers, try to read as they do. Pay great attention to what you read, in order that you may thoroughly understand it no persons can read properly what they do not understand. Avoid all disagreeable tones. Read, as nearly as you can, in the same manner as you would tell or speak the things, which you are reading.

11. A winter's evening will pass very pleasantly and profitably, if one of the family reads some instructive, amusing book, to the rest; whilst they are employed in sewing, knitting, or other useful work and all make, every now and then, such remarks, or inquiries, as they think proper, on what is read. The fingers will move more nimbly, and steadily, whilst the mind is thus amused and improved. An evening spent in lounging about, or in idle talk, or in sinful, expensive pleasures, would not afford half so much real amusement. What a great deal of useful knowledge, might, by this means, be gained in one winter! How pleasant home and the family fireside, would become! There would

be no need to wander from them, especially to the alehouse, or the tavern, for the sake of company, or of pastime, or of hearing something new. And how sweetly would the evening close, with family prayer, praise, and thanksgiving, to the great Author of all good; and with the reverent reading of some part of his most holy Word!

SECTION 2.

On reading the Bible.

EXCELLENT and beautiful as many books are, and useful to be read, there is none so excellent, and beautiful, and useful to be read, as the Bible. It was written by the command of God himself. There, we read the finest histories; the wisest sayings; and the sweetest prayers, songs, and meditations. The Bible is proper for all persons, in all countries, and in all times: for young and old, rich and poor; for kings and subjects, parents and children, husbands and wives, masters and servants. It teaches all persons their duty. It tells them of the great God, the Creator and Judge, the Redeemer and Father; that he loves all who love him, and do that which is right in his eyes, whoever they are, and wherever they live; and it speaks very comfortably to all who repent of their sins.

The Bible is not like other books, that we may read once, or twice; and then put away. There is always something to be learned in it, as long as we live. None are so wise, none so good, but they may be made wiser, and better, by reading this holy book: it teaches them the best wisdom, and the highest goodness. None are so happy, but they may be made happier by this blessed book: it tells them of a happiness that never ends, "which eye hath not seen, nor ear