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of acuteness and discernment. He will not confine his observations to the exterior forms and superficial habits of society; but will endeavour to investigate the latent dispositions and characters of his associates : he will conclude that men, like books, are not to be valued for their outward appearance, or splendid dress, but for their intrinsic excellence. He will look through national peculiarities; he will pierce the veil of local customs, and endeavour to view mankind, as they really are, influenced by their general passions and dispositions. He will esteem those with whom he converses, rather for their moral worth than their intellectual powers; for their personal merit rather than their exalted rank, or dignity of station.

To every object he will not fail to direct such a degree of attention as is proportionate to its importance and utility. Whatever he thinks deserving his notice he will survey with an attentive eye; and the information he is eager to gain will be equally marked by its correctness and its extent. Convinced of the inestimable value of time, he will never be prodigal of the small portions of which it consists. He will be expeditious both in his movements and his remarks, but will not be precipitate in either. Ardent in his inquiries, but not frivolous or trifling, he will explore whatever is curious in nature or art with assiduity and diligence. In every place he will reap an intellectual harvest of its various productions, convey it to his own country, and make it the subject of pleasing recollection for the future years of his life, and the means of entertainment to his friends; and should he make any observations, which upon mature deliberation he may judge of sufficient importance, he will publish them for the general information of the world.

Thus the intelligent traveller will not fail to derive every advantage from his visit to foreign countries. On his return to his native shores his manners will be refined, but not formal; his dress fashionable, but not foppish; his deportment easy, but not negligent. Instead of importing the trifling fopperies of other countries, and displaying showy and superficial acquire. ments, as the substitutes for solid information and elegant accomplishments; and instead of endeavouring to excite the applause and admiration of the ignorant, by his exaggerated descriptions of distant places, and of his own extraordinary adventures, he will rather avoid every ostentatious display, as unworthy of his character and his sacred regard for truth.* His constitution, unbroken by vicious indulgence of any kind, will be invigorated by exercise, and his fortune will be unimpaired by extravagance. Scepticism will not undermine, nor bigotry contract, his religious principles. His prejudices in favour of his own country will rather be strengthened than worn away by extensive com

* The traveller, especially if he has visited countries not commonly explored, would do well, both in his conversation and writings, to follow these remarks. "I have endeavoured to maintain the spirit with which I conducted my researches into facts; that is, an impartial love of truth. I have restrained myself from indulging any sallies of the imagination, though I am no stranger to the power of such illusion over the generality of readers: but I am of opinion that travels belong to the department of history, and not that of romance. I have not therefore described countries as more beautiful than they appeared to me; I have not represented their inhabitants more virtuous, nor more wicked, than I found them.' Volney's Travels, preface, p. vi.

parison, and enlarged intercourse with mankind; and his general knowledge will be augmented through every pure and original channel of information. His philanthropy will be ardent, and his patriotism not less spirited than rational. His various acquirements and his engaging manners will render him not only the delight of his friends, but the ornament of his country.

CHAPTER IV.

THE PROFESSIONS.

THE topics which have been considered in the preceding chapters present a sufficient choice of interesting subjects of application to a student, who is desirous that the lights of useful knowledge may irradiate his mind from various points.

Should his fortune be sufficiently ample to exempt him from the necessity of following a profession, he will have more leisure to pursue his classical and philosophical studies. Having improved his relish for useful reading by requisite application, he will not be compelled to have recourse to rural diversions, or insipid amusements, merely because he is ignorant of any other method to employ his leisure hours. He may enlarge his acquaintance with instructive books, and derive a pure and exalted pleasure from his general reading. In his intercourse with the world he will soon be convinced that his attainments give him

great advantages over the vulgar and illiterate, that they qualify him to take comprehensive views of what is passing around him, and that they put him in possession of many particular facts, many useful observations, and many general principles, which may be applied with the best effect to his various concerns. In every stage of life he will experience the great advantage and satisfaction, which flow from an understanding refined by taste, cultivated by learning, and elevated by religion.

But the elementary parts of learning are most important, when considered as the groundwork of the professions. Few of these parts indeed can be said to be entirely unconnected with them; and there are none which do not communicate some important truth, annex some pleasing appendage, or supply some elegant ornament to improve, adorn, and complete the professional character. And it is the exercise of a profession which will enable a young man to render his attainments immediately instrumental to the good and happiness of others, as well as of himself.

If such be the advantages resulting from application to classical learning and philosophy, of what high importance is it to the student, to explore with circumspection, and cultivate with diligence, the extensive and pleasant field of general knowledge, previous to pursuing the more confined path of professional research!

As preparatory studies are advantageously combined with professional pursuits, so may they impart great assistance to each other. The physician renders himself more extensively useful in the course of his practice by some knowledge of the laws of his country, and the clergyman by his acquaintance both with me

dicine and law.* And the occupation both of the physician and the barrister must ever, in the opinion of all well-disposed persons, be rendered more respectable by a uniform attention to the duties of religion.

In regard to the professions in general, it cannot surely admit of a question, whether the man, who perfectly understands the principles of his profession, and the branches of knowledge immediately connected with it, and who properly applies his various information, has not the greatest advantage-over him, who, although possessed of superior abilities, has neglected the cultivation of his mind. Splendid talents are indeed the peculiar gifts of nature, and cannot be acquired by the greatest efforts of application, or procured by the most profound and extensive learning. But by the assistance of application and of learning alone splendid talents will be carried to their proper degree of improvement. And without them it is a fact warranted by experience, that the most brilliant parts will be of little use either to the possessor or the public.

I. THE PROFESSION OF THE LAW.

This profession is highly useful to the public, and may prove no less honourable than advantageous to the student, who conscientiously follows it. If he aspires to eminence at the bar, he ought to be blessed with a firm consitution, to enable him to discharge the

→ Gisborne's Duties, vol. ii, p. 131. Percival's Medical Jurisprudence, p. 44. Blackstone's Comment. vol. i, p. 13.

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