of past ages, but furnish us with a hint for our future guidance in many a difficulty.

Whenever a book of history or travels is opened, a geography and atlas should also find a place on our study table. The places mentioned should be found, and every addition to our geographical knowledge noted. In our abstract of what we read, all discrepancies between the various authors should be remarked, and we should endeavour to see how far the variation arises from the peculiar character of the writers themselves, and how far they have authority for their opinion.

Biographies of eminent individuals also form a particularly useful study; and, if possible, they should always be taken in conjunction with the works of such as are authors. No life should ever be read without a summary of the character being written, not at the moment of completing the book, but after an interval of at least a day, and a period of careful consideration. For instance, after completing a biography, avail yourself of a solitary walk, or a task of needlework, to deliberately recall all the leading incidents and traits of character; think where the individual in question erred, and why, —and what result the error produced ; examine in the same way all the good points, and draw as just a balance as you can. Commit your judgment to writing, either elaborately, or as a brief abstract; and you will have the satisfaction of finding you have been exercising at the same time all the best faculties of your mind,-reason, judgment, memory, -as well as improving yourself in composition, and materially adding to your knowledge. For it is not what we read, but how we read, that makes us learned, or leaves us ignorant. In reading, more than in anything else, quality is of more consequence than quantity.

Works of fiction form, very naturally, the favourite part of the library of the young; for at the age when imagination is the most active and powerful faculty of the mind, they possess charms which we should seek in vain in Rollin or Hume. But this appetite, like that of a child for cakes, must be restrained within due bounds, or it will be injurious. No pastry will are many nice shades of error which it needs an artist's ear to detect. Nature herself must be the basis of all rules of art. The tones in which an actual conversation would occur must be proper for the same conversation if we are reading it in a novel. In moments of excitement, whether from joy, or sorrow, or danger, or any other cause, we should speak with a rapidity which would be quite foreign to us were we in ordinary circumstances or relating a commonplace occurrence. Words of love and fondness would not be uttered with the same accents as the ejaculations of hatred or despair; and our caressing tone to an infant would differ widely from the respectful manner and voice with which we should address an elder. We have only to watch ourselves and others to see of what an infinite variety of tones the human voice is capable. Having noticed this, it becomes a high art to so control and cultivate the voice as to produce these modulations at will. To do this must be a subject of study, either with or without a master, as circumstances may happen; but two sisters would find it add much to their enjoyment of a walk, to occupy themselves in discussing the proper tones in which such or such a speech should be given, or such a poem read. It would lead to an analysis of the spirit and scope of the work, and make them better acquainted with it than any mere reading will

ever do.

Nor must it be forgotten that the exercise of the lungs, which we are recommending, is highly conducive to health. Like every other part of our frames, the lungs require free play for the full development of their powers; and they will become more capable of exertion just in proportion as their powers are continually but judiciously exercised. To a person unaccustomed to read aloud, a single hour's lecture will be very fatiguing; but after a few days' regular exertion, the power will be so increased that double that time will produce no weariness. It is of great importance, however, to respire properly. The lungs should inhale as much as they can at each breath, especially at all the pauses. Nothing can be more unpleasant.in either a speaker or a reader than a low, rapid,

one.

monotonous “gabble," varied only by an hysteric catch in the breath.

Some people are constitutionally shortbreathed, but with many young people it is a mere habit, and a very disagreeable

Should it be even a natural defect, it can be in a great measure remedied by judiciously exercising the voice in the open air, especially when ascending a hill. For this purpose, recitation is better than conversation, as giving more scope for declamatory power. Any of the grand and beautiful speeches which we find in every one of Shakspeare's plays, or passages out of any other favourite poet, will form an admirable exercise. Whilst on the subject of recitation, I cannot help regretting that so many neglect to store their memory with the gems of our poetry in their youth, as by doing so they would provide a store of amusement and interest for themselves and others in after years, besides greatly strengthening the memory. Most girls profess to be “passionately fond of poetry;" and yet I fear very few are sufficiently acquainted with the works of any one even of our own poets to be able