INTRODUCTION.

CHAP. I.

TO ascertain a principle is of little use, unless we give it efficiency in our conduct. This is the end had in view by instruction, and till this appear, all knowledge is in vain. The mind, rightly principled, will be desirous to make trial, whenever a suitable and important object is placed in view. If, therefore, any are determined on seriously engaging in SelfCultivation, such will be anxious to ask, what methods may most surely, or most readily tend to secure the desirable object.

Wherever we are going, it is of great importance that we ascertain the right road, and the best, at our first setting out. If any attainment seem desirable, can it be gained is a reasonable question. Ignorance and frivolity

will put it, by way of excuse for doing nothing, and will not, therefore, wait for an answer. But there are some who will not regard the labour, provided any feasible scheme is explained to them. It is only for the use of such, that any man will take the labour of instructing; and when he meets with them, the pleasure so far exceeds the fatigue, as to put it almost out of the account.

The strongest desire after self-cultivation will be but partly efficient, without some previous assistance. Improper modes may be persisted in, till much precious time is irrecoverably lost. And, though an ardent mind will always gain much by the attempt, even if not made in the most proper manner, yet it were a pity that such energies should be wasted in any degree; a pity that the greatest facilities should not be afforded to those who are willing to put them to diligent use.

Whoever admits, therefore, as a principle, that he ought to educate himself, will, if he have any vigour of mind, be anxious instantly

INTRODUCTION.

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to begin. If conscious of having acted already much on this principle, he will be doubly glad to meet with any practical rules for assisting him in his operations. To lop one branch may sometimes clear to the eye a long vista; to conduct to one eminence may explain all the windings of the road, and encourage exertion by the certainty of success.

Desultoriness is one of the greatest impediments to our success in any attempt; yet it is one to which the active are very liable. Those who are continually changing their object, or their means, or their expectations, may exult over the idle, who attempt nothing; but their gains in the long run will be more nearly on a par than their present bustle leads them to suppose. Ever near upon their object, they yet do not attain it. One experiment more would have ascertained the proper method, and ensured the result.

He, too, who has an object in view, may gain it; but, for want of knowledge, lose also much more, which he might have gained at the

same time. The purest copper now in use, is obtained from a waste water, which had for ages been suffered to run unheeded away. Principles most commonly will apply to more than one object. A process once discovered, may, by a little adaption, serve for various productions; or, by a slight alteration, may secure various results. He who determines to cultivate his own mind, will, if suitably instructed, gain in many modes, and grow mentally rich beyond his expectations.

Many have exclaimed with sorrow, how I wish I had known that when I was young! if I had had any friend to have put me in the way, or had had but a book given me, just to open my mind: but I had to blunder on much in the dark, and have therefore made but little progress,

That must be a friendly hand which aims to guide in such important exertions. The profferred assistance will not be spurned by the intelligent; should it happen that some parts of the advice are irrelevant, or inappropriate to

INTRODUCTION.

the youth's specific situation, it will be strange if an endeavour to instruct does not afford some assistance. A direct rule, or an occasional hint, may suit; a reference to some principle may elucidate, or a delineation of some admirable result charm to imitation. He that shall be warned, or directed, or animated, by the advice here given, will have no occasion to lament as a loss the money, or the still more precious time, which it may cost. Should the volume be adjudged by any one to have been of no use to him, the author and the reader must be content to divide the blame between them.

It is with the hope, however, that readers of this description will be very few, that he makes such a proposal, and that readers of quite another character will be numerous. He is conscious that in this case, dividing the credit of the result will be but justice; as whoever reads to his actual benefit, brings to the book a mind and disposition highly creditable to himself. No light could assist him who was actually blind: no painting could in