is with minds as with bodies, we in our growth greatly resemble the food upon which we grow. Coarse food will naturally produce a coarse body. We do not look for grace and beauty, for Attic symmetry and proportion from those who feed upon offal, and whale blubber, and the flesh of seals and bears; and how can we expect minds seizing with hungry avidity the most wretched mental garbage to be gifted with health or stature, with athletic vigour, or noble proportion? Impossible! and therefore in the intellectual regions we are frequently meeting with those, whose false and sickly sentimentality, whose deformed and dwarfed mental proportions, betray the cradles in which they were nurtured, the food upon which they were sustained, and the kingdoms upon which their days of wan and stunted intelligence have been passed. And we are compelled to feel for such persons a pity, rising to contempt, which the Laplander and the Kamschatkese never awaken within our breasts.

At the risk of appearing to address some of our remarks to very young beginners, the juveniles in the ranks of knowledge, we may say then, that it is most important in reading to remember three things:

First. It is not by the amount of reading you go through, but the value of the impressions made upon the mind that you are to estimate its impor

tance. Perhaps, as a general statement, we may say, that where there has been the most prodigious and varied amount of reading, there it has been to the least and most inconsiderable purpose. The heads of such persons have been described as Encyclopedias turned upside down; a vast body of information, if one could only get at it; or if the memory could only have retained it; but as it is, a mere heterogeneous heap without order or array: systematic reading disciplines in the exercise of thought and tends to make the mind strong. The reading therefore, should be definite, condensed, and methodic.

Second. That which is worth reading once is generally worth reading many times, especially if its tendency is to train the mind or the imagination. Gibbon somewhere makes the remark, that he usually read a book three times; he first read it, glancing through it to take in the general design of the book, and the structure of the argument: he read it again to observe how the work was conducted, to fix its general principles on the memory; and he read it a third time to notice the blemishes, or the beauties, and to criticise and discuss its bearing and character. This is reading, indeed, and many books cannot be said to have been perused until they have been carefully traversed, not only three times, but still more frequently. The mastery of one book on any par

ticular subject will be found frequently if the book is a really worthy one, and it is of such books we are speaking to be a mastery of the whole subject of which it treats. Sir John Herschell says, in his "Natural Philosophy," "I am now commencing the perusal of Lyell's Geology,' the third (or fourth) time, and find my interest increased with every perusal." Yes! the resolute reading of a book like that, the determination to comprehend each theory, each term, each induction and observation, places the reader beyond the need of a large Library, upon the topic he has been studying; as far as books can instruct him he is instructed. The facts and the principles are engraven firmly upon his understanding, and this is one of the most important methods for reaching the memory. Clearly understand, and the probability is, that you will vividly remember.

Third. It follows from all this that the value of reading depends quite as much upon yourself as the book; nay, far more upon yourself than the book; frequently, therefore, put it down and recall; re-collect that which you have read that you may niche it in your understanding; and following these hints you will find that although you may not travel rapidly apparently, yet, like the tortoise of old, you will win the race. Your memory, be it ever so indifferent, will accumulate facts from the books you read-Histories, or

Biographies, or Philosophies; you will certainly acquire principles, and some of the lines and the pictures of your favourite poets must impress your fancy and your memory.

Coleridge tells us of four kinds of readers. "The first, like the hour-glass; their reading, like the sand, running in, and then out, and leaving not a vestige behind. The second, like the sponge, which imbibes everything, only to return it in the same state, or perhaps dirtier. The third, like the jelly-bag, allows the pure to pass away, and keeping only the refuse and dregs; and the fourth, like the slaves in the mines of Golconda, casting aside all that is worthless, and retaining only the diamonds and gems. "See to it that you are of the latter class, gathering riches from all your reading. To this end do not read at random, indiscriminately. The world is full of books, and a lifetime would not suffice to read all, even if they were good, which vast numbers of them are not. Make, then, a selection of your books, and be careful in making it. Touch not, if possible, a single volume that is unworthy, trifling, or useless. Seek first for the most important subjects, and then for the best works respecting them. Be as careful of the books you read as of the company you keep; for your habits and character will be as much influenced by the former as the latter. See to it, then, that both are good. And even in perusing

good books for the best are imperfect-imitate the fishermen spoken of in the Gospel, who, in drawing their nets full of all kinds of fishes, 'gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.'"

"Ever have, also, some high and useful aim in reading. Whatever you read, have an object in reading it. Know not only what, but why you read. Read for the discipline of your intellect, the elevation of your taste, the extension of your knowledge, the improvement of your heart, the regulation of your conduct and life. Read, that you may store up lessons of wisdom, to apply them to yourself; that you may follow every good, and avoid every evil example, and thus daily become wiser, happier, better, and more useful.”

In the course of reading it will be well to bear in mind the following purposes :

Read, FIRST, to form the mind, to awaken its powers, its consciousness, you need, perhaps, to be attracted to the walks of Study, and what is presented to you at first must be presented in a fascinating style to provoke the appetite for knowledge. Then, read "The Pursuit of Knowledge under Difficulties." The three volumes are very cheap, and full of interesting Anecdote and Philosophy, as simple, lucid, and interesting. TODD'S "Student's Manual" contains good hints in a very interesting manner; and DRUMMOND'S "Letters