ant and instructive, when the parties remain in a mild and well-governed state of mind. But if one or both become angry, all pleasure and profit ceases—it becomes a strife of bad feelings and acrimonious personalities, instead of that proper interchange of opinions, whereby truth is elicited. When the feelings become aroused to this disagreeable state, evidence and argument are of no avail; they make no convincing and lasting impression, and the conversation had better be closed at once—for

"A man convinced against his will,
Is of the same opinion still."

Never flatly contradict another in conversation. It is much more proper to say, "that, perhaps, is a mistake," than to exclaim, "that is a lie." The former is a more honorable and gentlemanly manner of contradicting a statement, than the latter. When you are compelled to differ from another, in any sentiment he has uttered, do it with expressions of regret that your views call upon you to sustain opinions of an adverse character. This will tend to remove or prevent harshness and asperity—it will prepossess him in favor of the friendly spirit which you exhibit, and cause him to view your sentiments in a more favorable light than he would were you to pursue a different

course.

Be not too positive in any of your statements. You will frequently discover yourself wrong,

when you feel very positive you are right. Every subject has two sides; and before you form a definite conclusion, or enter upon the defence of an opinion, be certain that you have fairly seen and examined both sides. A botanist, in publishing an account of a flower denominated "the beeorchis," described it as having the form of a bee painted upon its leaves. Another writer publicly contradicted this statement, and maintained that it was the figure of a fly that was impressed upon the petal of the flower. In this, however, he displayed the limited extent of his information upon this subject, for there are two species of orchis flower—the bee-orchis and the fly-orchis. Had not this writer been so very positive, he would not have published and displayed his ignorance to the world. I repeat, then, be not too positive upon any subject, or too precipitate in expressing your opinion. Give every topic a thorough examination before you become its ad

vocate.

Permit me here to caution young men against that ungentlemanly practice, in which too many indulge, of speaking in a light and disparaging manner of the female character in general. Some young men seem to imagine it exceedingly wise and knowing, to indulge in these general suspicions. But they invariably indicate a weak head, an unkind, ungenerous disposition, and a wicked and corrupt heart. Such young men should remember that their mothers, sisters, and future

wives, are all included in these sweeping denunciations. If they possess any love or respect for them, their lips will be closed to these vile and unfounded calumnies.

CHAPTER V.

AMUSEMENTS.

THIS is a subject fraught with difficulty. Mankind are furnished with many faculties that are capable of bestowing much amusement; which "sufficiently shows us," says Addison, that Providence did not design this world should be filled with murmurs and repinings, or that the heart of man should be involved in gloom and melancholy." That it is proper, yea, necessary, for the young to seek occasional amusement, is a subject which admits of but little dispute. The bow must frequently be unbent, to retain its elastic spring. So the body must obtain relaxation from labor, or it speedily wears out—and the mind must be occupied, at proper intervals, with lighter and more diversified topics, than a constant grapple with abstract sciences, and the cares and perplexities of life, or its delicate and wonderful machinery becomes disordered. To be healthy, the body must frequently change its posture—to continue sound, the mind must unbend from its 15*

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high vocations, and seek rest by a resort to the powers of the imagination.

There is a thought connected with this topic, of which the young should be aware. Amusement cannot be obtained except at the expense of experiencing something of a contrary character. Without weariness you can never realize the enjoyment of rest—without hunger and thirst, you can not know the satisfaction of partaking of food and drink. And be it remembered, that without application to business—without industrious exertion in some occupation which is more or less painful—you can not possibly find amusement, properly speaking, in any thing. It is alone by contrast that amusement possesses attractions. Destroy the contrast, and the amusement ceases. How often, in the midst of some scene of amusement, does the wish escape the bosom of the young—"O that I could always remain engaged in these gratifying pastimes!" Alas, ignorant youth! know that were these seasons of amusement to continue without interruption, soon would they become as irksome and painful as labor—soon would they lose all their charms, and be distasteful and insipid! Those who are enabled by wealth to make pleasure, as it is termed, the whole occupation of life, find it far more difficult to obtain amusement, than people in the humbler walks of life. Pleasure is their business, their trade; and it often becomes as onerous and irksome to them, as any occupa