them from running wild and useless. Mind is of necessity ever active: at no waking moment, at least, is it destitute of ideas. The art of thinking, is not always that of creating, but of marshalling the thoughts, which else wander in a desultory, and therefore an ineffective, useless manner. To sit five minutes utterly vacant, is, I believe, not easy, even to minds the most absent. But to mark the various fancies which flit across the imagination, though a duty, a pleasure of high degree, is what we often neglect. To cure this negligence is the object of this chapter. Be not indolent, be not careless. Watch your own thoughts, it will teach you the art of thinking. Accustom yourself to set them each to their proper service.

You will have more work done, and better. Mind can work upon itself, and never to better purpose: all it knows from other sources, will by this means become profitable, it is sowing the grain, not merely grinding it and the produce will be accordingly abundant.

It is only by thinking, that a man can know himself. Yet all other knowledge, without this, is splendid ignorance. Not a glance merely, but much close examination will be requisite, for the forming a true opinion of your own powers. Ignorance and self-conceit always tend to make you over-rate your personal ability; as a slight degree of knowledge may make a timid mind pass upon himself too humble a judgment. It is only by thinking, and much impartial observation, that a man can discover his real disposition. A hasty temper only supposes itself properly alive; an indolent indulger imagines he is as active as any one; till by close, and severe examination, each may discover something nearer the truth. So important as such discoveries are, do not grudge the necessary, the appropriate process, on which this self-knowledge depends.

What are your prospects in life? have you any plan, any expectations, any apprehensions? By thinking these over, you may forestall obstacles, and avoid them; may beware of opportunities, and secure them.

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Thinking is absolutely necessary to forming an opinion. "For my part I think so, or so," comes very awkwardly from a youngster, who has not yet begun to think at all. Yet such are most apt to bolt out their opinions. You should be afraid of giving a judgment, on any case which you have not considered. little thought will give modesty, perhaps hesitation, to an opinion, which so circumstanced will pass with much less offensiveness; nay thus it may meet with some friendly mind, to guide it into clearness. It may be much more easy to retract it, if quite absurd, or to mould it, if only mis-shapen. Or it will be more possible, more easy to defend, what has been thus considered, than will the hasty sentiment of the giddy, the obtrusive.

To retain an opinion because once given, however absurdly, is the next step to giving it without consideration. The same fault in the character generates both circumstances. Such retaining a notion once broached, is, however, not firmness, but obstinacy and if this should be in a case wherein a little think

ing would set all to rights, it lets down his character, and shows him to be younger than his years.

A contrary evil in other characters, as often results from the same want of thinking. The opinion given, perhaps cannot be defended in itself, at any rate it cannot be defended by one not accustomed to consider; the opinion given is maintained with weakness, or it is given up, in a manner as silly as was its premature broaching.

No reading can make a wise man, without thinking. Scarcely a sentence can be uttered in such a case, which will not subject the youth to contempt; let him take which course he will.

Thinking, is indeed the very germ of selfcultivation. The source from which all vital influence springs. Thinking will do much for an active mind, even in the absence of books, or living instructors. The reasoning faculty grows firm, expands, discerns its own powers,

acts with increasing facility, precision, and extent, under all its privations. Where there is no privation, but every help from former thinkers, how much may we not expect from it. Thus great characters rise. While he who thinks little, though much he reads, or much he sees, can hardly call any thing he has his own. He trades with borrowed capital, and is in the high road to literary, or mental bankruptcy.