see in it nothing beyond the selection of the most agreeable mode of future enjoyment.

It is impossible that any rationally contemplative mind can fail to observe, in this inconsiderate temperament of youth, the supreme wisdom of Divine Providence; which is more visibly manifested in the ordinary, and little noticed, occurrences of life, than in many of the more recondite recesses, into which the curiosity or the vanity of the human intellect is prone to penetrate. For if the youthful mind were possessed of the coolness and judgement of mature age, to foresee the serious and important consequences, and to know the hazards of life, into whatever channel of occupation it may be directed, few would there be, who could be brought to any decisive election of employment. Happily for the young, they are denied that extent of vision, which would open to them such objects of sight as would deprive them of the boldness necessary in the race which they have to run. The means are nevertheless given, if they will use them, of turning the events of their course (whatever it may be,) to the ultimate attainment of the object of all earthly pursuits, the favor of God.—W. H., Monitor for young Ministers of the Gospel, 1828.

The natural disposition to any particular art, science, profession, or trade, is very much to be consulted in the care of youth, and studied by men for their own conduct when they form to themselves any scheme of life. It is wonderfully hard indeed for a man to judge of his own capacity impartially;

that may look great to me which may appear little to an other; and I may be carried by fondness towards myself so far as to attempt things too high for my talents and accomplishments. But it is not, methinks, so very difficult a matter to make a judgement of the abilities of others, especially of those who are in their infancy.- STEELE, Spectator, 157.

When I consider how each of these Professions are crowded with multitudes that seek their livelihood in them, and how many men of merit there are in each of them, who may be rather said to be of the Science, than of the Profession; I very much wonder at the humor of parents, who will not rather choose to place their sons in a way of life where an honest industry can not but thrive, than in stations where the greatest probity, learning, and good sense may miscarry. * * * The misfortune is, that parents take a liking to a particular Profession, and therefore desire their sons may be of it. Whereas in so great an affair of life, they should consider the genius and abilities of their children, more than their own inclinations. — ADDISON, Spectator, 21.

Think of yourselves as about to choose a profession. In doing so, everyone has to give up something, as well as to undertake something; a soldier or sailor gives up his home; a Physician his time, even his nights, to the calls of others; a Clergyman all hope of secular distinction, as a statesman, &c. So, in choosing the profession of a Christian, you must give up some things, but with this differ

ence, that you have only to give up things bad for you. C. J. VAUGHAN, D.D., Notes for Lectures on Confirmation, 1859, Lect. II.

The two great elements of excellence in all callings are energy and natural aptitude: and these may be combined in any proportion with the fear of God and the love of man, or their opposites. Saturday Review, 3 March 1860.

* *

I never have had the ambition of raising my self or my children above our prescribed station; wrote ***** to a friend. I have ever been persuaded that moderate desires and a moderate station, afford the best opportunities for virtue and for, happiness. But if all so thought, there would be no aspirants to keep the balance even in the varied lot of life. 1849.

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Yet if it be not heresy to say so, the study of the Law produces rather habits of accuracy than habits of impartiality. - Saturday Review, 26 May 1866.

But education of some sort is necessary to prevent Law becoming a trade, and advocacy a vulgar trickery, and unhappily it can not be said. that education of any sort is now necessary to A man may have a clear head without having been Senior Wrangler; but it may be doubted whether for some purposes at the Bar a muddled head is not more useful than a clear head. The former can always talk, while the latter

success. * *

*

sometimes errs on the side of silence; and among an uneducated auditory the man who speaks even nonsense is preferred to the man who holds his tongue. Saturday Review, 25 June 1870.

Lawyers become necessary and of importance in proportion as popular rights are extended: when the masses are invested with elective, municipal, and political functions, laws must multiply, and those who can best interpret or perplex, must, as in England and America, become the most influential and powerful. — Quarterly Review, vol. lxii, p. 96.

Sir Roundell Palmer, at a meeting in Lincoln's Inn Hall, declared that he had known, in the course of his life, some few men of no inconsiderable practice and no small emolument, as to whom he could not positively say that he believed they knew any law whatever. - Edinb. Rev., Oct. 1871, p. 508.

The species of expression, in which this Master (Hogarth) perhaps most excels, is that happy art of catching those peculiarities of air and gesture, which the ridiculous part of every profession contract; and which, for that reason, become characteristics of the whole. His Counsellors, his Undertakers, his Lawyers, his Usurers, are all conspicuous at sight. In a word, almost every Profession may see in his works that particular species of affectation, which they should most endeavor to avoid. NICHOLS AND STEEVENS, Works of Hogarth, vol. i, p. 435.

Every age a man passes through, and way of life he engages in, has some particular vice or imperfection naturally cleaving to it, which it will require his nicest care to avoid. The several weaknesses, to which youth, old age, and manhood are exposed, have long since been set down by many, both of the poets and philosophers; but I do not remember to have met with any author who has treated of those ill habits men are subject to, not so much by reason of their different ages and tempers, as the particular professions or business in which they were educated and brought up.-E. BUDGELL, Spectator,

197.

Every situation and employment in life influences, by a variety of moral causes, the views, manners, tempers, and dispositions of those who are placed in it.-T. GISBORNE, Enquiry into the Duties of Men, Ch. x.

What are called the learned Professions, allow no leisure for any pursuit that looks beyond the present. The Lawyer has no sooner obtained a professional reputation, than he becomes the very slave of his practice; and well is it if his own soul is not entangled in the snares which he is perpetually engaged in spinning for others. The Physician has indeed the advantage that his path is in the way of intellectual and moral improvement; but his, also, is an occupation which engrosses him, and which rarely can leave the mind at leisure, or at ease, for excursive and voluntary labors. From the Clergy more might be expected, and more is