à taste to discern and relish their beauties, nor wisdom to improve the representations of life which they exhibit. The success of a few original writers in this species of composition has given birth to an endless multitude and variety of novels that have no merit but that of furnishing new amusement for the idle; and no utility, but that of raising and heightening those feelings, which of themselves are too apt to mislead, and to become too strong for the comfort of life*. The heads of many are filled with this farrago; while the productions

*"I would keep even the best novels at an immeasur "able distance from my daughters, rather than that they "should incur the danger of contracting a taste for works "of mere fancy or passion. Productions of this sort ener. "vate the mind. Continually acting on the fancy, they "permit the judgment to lie torpid; hence, the former

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acquires an elasticity that is dangerous, while the latter * loses its tone. Accordingly we find, that those who "have paid an habitual attention to the least exceptionable "novels (such as the volumes of Miss Burney or Mrs. "Smith) generally betray a disrelish for history or philo"sophy." See an excellent and useful piece, entitled "On Benevolence and Friendship, as opposed to Principle;" in á volume of "Essays by a Society of Gentlemen at Exeter," p. 330.

of chaste pens, and the original standards of excellence in this species of writing, because they are of old date, lie neglected.

It is our wish to direct your attention to a different, more extensive, and more useful kind of reading. Begin with acquiring a knowledge of the history, constitution, laws, and commerce of your own country. Let Geography conduct you through the world; shew you the situation of the kingdoms of the earth, with their cities and great towns; introduce you into the scenes of domestic life, and lead you through their marts of commerce. Let Astronomy raise your views from earth to heaven; shew you the number of the stars; arrange before you those bright bodies that shine above us, and explain to you the laws by which they move. Let Biography bring you acquainted with those illustrious men, whose studies and virtues have blessed the world; with those righteous men, whose memory is blessed; let it shew you goodness in private life, and devotion in its retirement. Let History display before you the rise and fall of empires, the establishment of liberty

and laws, or the encroachments of despotism, creating slavery; the bloody triumphs of war, or the more pleasing progress of the gentle arts of peace. Let the study of nature disclose to you the form and powers of animals, the structure and mechanism of vegetables, the riches of mines, and the different qualities and energies of air and light, of water and fire.

Let the writings of an Addison, or Hawkesworth, a Melmoth, or an Aikin, a Milton, a Thompson, or a Pope convey pure sentiments to the heart, and entertain the fancy with poetic imagery, improve the judgment and refine the

taste.

Above all, let divine knowledge unfold the treasures of truth and grace. The scheme of revelation, the evidences of our faith, the history of Christianity, and the system of duty afford ample scope for enquiry and study. The knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ is a science, which is first in importance, dignity, and influence. It is the concern of every one; for the duty, comfort, and hope of every one are involved in it. This is a knowledge within the reach of all the Lord's day affords leisure

for the pursuit of it; the Bible contains the heavenly treasures of divine truth; and the public preaching of the gospel provides all with some means of investigating its contents, and of forming an acquaintance with its principles.

Such is the course of reading recommended to you. Is it not obvious, that a rational, pleasing, and delightful employment is pointed out? Cultivate and indulge a taste for such reading; every power of the mind will meet with a suitable object. Here is solid food for the understanding; here is an elegant feast for the fancy. Curiosity will be gratified; admiration will be agreeably raised; the love of novelty will be indulged with a pleasing variety and succession of objects. The discovery of truth is pleasing; a continual progress in knowledge renews and heightens this pleasure; the exercise of every power conduces to felicity and enjoyment; the expansion and improvement of our powers are an accession to our enjoyments.

How happy is the state of that mind, in which the judgment is clear and solid; the memory a magazine of pleasing and sublime ideas; the taste elegant and discerning. Such

a mind feels its superiority to the illiterate and ignorant; it looks up with a glow of emulation to the improvement and felicity of angels. It feels itself to be, as it were, an inhabitant of every country, and a cotemporary with every illustrious hero and virtuous sage. It traverses over all nature, and, in some sense, commands all time.

But religious knowledge, pursued with liberality and freedom, hath its peculiar pleasures. It cures superstition; it confirms faith; it directs conscience; it animates hope. It is the support of virtue in the hour of temptation, and our solace in the day of affliction. Would we pursue religious knowledge deeply and fully, it would blend with it every other knowledge, and impart the gratifications of every other science.

History and Geography lend their aid to the knowledge of the Scriptures. The annals of the church present a variety of interesting and instructive scenes. The study of the prophecies unfolds the operations of providence; and the expectations which they raise, are gratified by their accomplishment. In investigating