Flanders thus enriched, by a person whose talent at drawing was not splendid. The various places, scenes, accidents, were by this means fastened on his mind: he could travel over that journey again at any time, with little trouble, and to great gratification; and had circumstances led him to publish, these sketches, in the hands of a competent artist, might have rendered the volume of double value to the public. His rule in several excursions he made, was, to minute down whatever happened every evening, and to sketch whatever he saw which particularly gained his attention. Many gentlemen, carried by their profession abroad, have had to lament, that though they could in an intelligent manner view and describe, yet they could not depict, and have therefore sent their observations to the world destitute of the illustrations desirable; or, perhaps, for want of them, have been obliged to hide their knowledge, or confine it among a few friends. Although I have specified only in languages and drawing, yet the reasoning will hold good as to every other attainment. Keep what you have learned, and add to it, if possible; and the mode which renders this extremely easy is, to give a little attention to it every day. It is surprising how little will suffice for this purpose, if the mind be in it, and act with regularity. It is very true, that when a youth leaves school, a new scene opens before him; a new set of occupations fill his time, and imperiously demand his attention; yet it seldom happens that this new train of duties is so complete, as totally to shut out all opportunity for attention to former studies. I would advise a resolute trial before such a judgment be acceded to. The case more common is, a considerable degree of idleness, in which much time is lost; or frivolity, whieh spends it to still greater disadvantage: against these I would protest most decidedly. A young person has not a moment to lose. If you lose money, you may gain it again; but the loss of time is irretrievable: opportunity must be taken at the moment, or it goes by, never to return. The value of the teens is beyond cal culation; it is the seed-time of life; much may be done, and, if well done, the rich harvest is sure negligence here will encumber future life, and occasion much deficiency and after loss. Let me repeat it then, a very little endeavour, regularly and statedly made, will secure, and much enlarge, all the knowledge attained at school, to your own great gratification and advantage. Now and then to read a page, will refresh the memory; now and then to work a problem, or translate a verse, cannot be esteemed a great exertion; yet will some such slight attention, which may fairly be stated as an amusement, produce, with considerable advantage, the effect desired. CHAP. III. READING. AN author is a silent tutor; one of the cheapest, most important, convenient, and efficient, in the grand work of instruction. Persons who do not read, may pick up much by observation, but their knowledge must be comparatively scanty. An author is one who has picked up much by observation too; and if you read fifty authors, you have the advantage of fifty times the observation which can possibly come under your own eye. Nay, though a mere observer, who does not read, may gain ideas, yet on such terms, seldom is judgment attained. The ideas picked up are rather kept huddled together, than sorted, arranged, and displayed in their proper beauty. The bag may be soon filled on the sea-shore with glittering pieces; much, however, which may catch the eye is not worth preserving; what has in it beauty or value, ought to be understood, and placed in an orderly manner in the cabinet. It is seldom that intelligent persons are disinclined to reading. Mind finds so excellent a feast in a well-written book, that it is always rather voracious, as far as opportunity and ability go; and when, through some mistake in education, persons of good abilities grow up careless of books, giving them little of their time or their affection, they betray themselves on every occasion; their range of knowledge is very confined; their actual acquaintance with science, history, or any thing which requires thought, is extremely shallow. They cannot but be conscious of their deficiency in these respects, and either take no part in the conversation, or labour to turn it into some channel less deep, where their little knowledge may suffice, or their knack of observation give them opportunity to shine. It is reading, says Lord Bacon, makes a full man. If persons of good natural talents feel the want of reading, how much more will those |