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3. What impulse did it give the human intellect?

how long it preceded the Reformation.

4. How printing was connected with the revival of learning in Europe.

5. Difficulties the early printers had to contend against. 6. How they were received in France by Louis XI. 7. The Aldi in Venice-Caxton in England, &c. 8. Conclusion. The great perfection to which the art has now been raised - rapidity of executionstereotype, &c.

XI. ON NEWSPAPERS.

Introduction. The natural desire of mankind to perpetuate their deeds to posterity.

1. Various forms in which this desire has manifested itself-ballads, epics, chronicles, histories, &c.

2. Newspapers among the latter

events.

a current record of

3. At first merely a statement of facts

afterwards, remarks and comments on the conduct of public men and their measures.

4. When newspapers were first established in England. 5. The influence of the press, public opinion, &c. 6. Redress of grievances, reform of abuses, &c. 7. Freedom of the press, what?-and how limited? 8. Conclusion. Reflections on this freedom-comparison with continental nations in this respect, &c.

XII. ON THE REVIVAL OF LEARNING.

Introduction.

The condition of Europe from the

5th to the 15th century.

1. Compare this period with that of the condition of Europe from the 15th to the 19th century.

2. The taking of Constantinople by the Turks-when?

—its consequences.

3. What Italian prince first encouraged learning?

4. Mention the names of some of the scholars of the 15th and 16th centuries.

5. What effect had this encouragement on the literature of Europe?

6. Which was the first celebrated age of English

literature?

7. Which country was now first celebrated for her

learning?

8. Conclusion. Enthusiasm for learning

examples

-universities, colleges, academies, schools, &c.

PRACTICAL SUBJECTS.

I. ON MONEY.

Introduction. Ancient methods of carrying on trade -the great inconvenience of barter.

1. The word 'pecuniary,' whence derived the object of the invention of money.

2. Early coins of the Greeks, Lydians, Persians, &c. 3. Why the precious metals were chosen for coined

money.

4. Bank Notes-Bills of Exchange-Exchequer Bills, &c.

5. How do these forms of money facilitate business? 6. What is meant by 'investing' money?

7. The proper uses and the abuses of money.

8. Conclusion. Reflections an immoderate desire

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&c.

II. ON HANDWRITING.

Introduction. Many popular errors-one, that the character may be guessed at from the handwriting.

1. A good handwriting a desirable and useful accomplishment.

2. What is the most essential quality of a good hand? 3. Formerly, the fashion was to write a bad hand; now, fortunately, this fashion is exploded. 4. A great advantage to write legibly, and at the same time quickly.

5. Ladies' handwriting, a commercial hand, a scholar's hand, &c.

6. Handwriting may be remodelled at any time of

life.

7. Nationally, the English and Germans write clear and bold hands; the French and Italians cramped and illegible.

8. Conclusion. Cases in which a good handwriting is required-letters-copying-drawing up reports -authors' manuscripts, &c.

III. ON READING ALOUD.

Introduction. Many things of daily occurrence are really arts, though not generally considered such. 1. Wherever we can lay down principles, and carry them into practice, there is an art.

2. Reading may be reduced to principles, and every one may improve by careful practice.

3. Articulation. What, and whence derived; a distinct utterance of every syllable.

4. Pronunciation. The right accent and tone to every word (give examples of wrong pronunciation).

5. Inflection. The raising and falling of the voice on certain words in a sentence (to prevent monotony). 6. Pauses. Stopping in certain places to give effect to the meaning.

7. Tone.

The voice adapted to the sense of every

passage.

8. Pitch of the voice-depends on circumstances-high in a large room, lower in a smaller.

9. Anticipation. The power of reading before we utter, to prevent wrong emphasis or inflection.

10. Conclusion. All these rules to be supported by practice a very rare, though very desirable, accomplishment-cases where reading is required.

IV. ON EXERCISE.

Introduction. Certain principles observable through the whole range of nature: these always worthy of imitation.

1. Exercise one of these principles; applicable to mind as well as to body.

2. Explain this analogy.

3. Excess, in either case defeats the purpose, and therefore injurious.

4. Things not used grow rusty, and out of good condition.

5. In the physical world, nature always in exercisewind, water, &c.

6. All the faculties should be exercised-none neg

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7. Judgment and discretion applied in particular cases. 8. Conclusion. Exercise: periodical, equal; both body and mind thus kept in health.

V. ON COSTUME.

Introduction. The infinite variety of nature: art

an imitator.

1. Much taste may be displayed in dress.

2. Greek and Roman costume.

3. Eastern modes of dress.

4. Modern costumes: Spanish, Highland Scotch, &c. 5. The picturesque and the graceful.

6. Costume regulated partly by climate, fashion, &c. 7. Colours should be well assorted- -no glaring con

trasts.

8. Conclusion. A certain attention to dress proper: it should not engross too much of our time.

VI. ON READING FOR IMPROVEMENT.

Introduction. System and method required in all our pursuits.

1. One very fertile source of knowledge-reading. 2. Conversation desultory, imperfect; a book arranged, systematic.

3. We can reflect on passages read in a book.

4. The mind should be concentrated on what we are reading.

5. Read regularly, but not too long at a time: vary your studies.

6. In studying a subject, begin with a simple treatise, never with a voluminous work.

7. Keep a note-book; make references to striking passages, but do not make long extracts.

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