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you; and nothing can be so well contrived to kindle the spirit of industry and emulation.

8. I shall make you a visit soon, and hope to hear that you are diligent and regular in prosecuting your studies. 9. Get your lesson, and attend to your ciphering, write your exercises, &c. at the hours appointed for these employments. Let nothing interrupt you. 10. Habit will soon make it not only easy but pleasant. 11. Every day you are ascending the steps of learning, and the more diligent you are in your ascent, the sooner will your prospect be enlarged, and the sooner will you be able to look around you with delight. 12. Your schoolfellows, even those who are idle themselves, will respect you: your master will caress you; and I shall not only love you, but think you my greatest pride and happiness.

CHAP. IX.

Diversions.

1. Af-fec-ti-o-nate, a. fond, tender, with all the glowings of paternal love.

4. Fa-tal, a. causing inevitable death or destruction.

Pru'-dence, s. the act of suiting words and actions according to the circumstance of things, or rules of right reason.

6. Pro-pri'-e-ty, s. accuracy, justness.

11. Ab-stain', v. to forbear, to refrain from.

1. As I love you with all the fondness which a parent is capable of, and shall continue to do so as long as you continue to be a good boy,* I cannot

It is to be observed, that these lessons are equally calculated to instruct girls as well as boys, and it is only to substitute the one word for the other."

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refrain from giving you my affectionate advice, on every subject which may regard your health, your morals, or the improvement of your mind. 2. Allthese have oftentimes been injured by improper amusements, and ill behaviour in the hours set apart for play and relaxation. 3. Let me, therefore, intreat you, in the first place, to avoid, if possible, every thing dangerous in your diversions. 4. An eye is soon lost, or a bone broken: fevers that prove fatal, are frequently brought on by excessive heats, and want of common prudence. 5. Not that I would have you on this account sit still, while your companions are enjoying themselves; or demean yourself with all the gravity, caution, and sobriety of an old man of sixty. 6. I wish you to be as active, as lively, and merry as the best of them; but on this, as on every other occasion, fix in your own mind the limits of propriety, and determine never to pass beyond them.

7. In the next place, my dear boy, never let your amusements be corrupted with any thing mischievous or vicious. 8. Remember, that it is on small occasions, and in unguarded moments, that the natural character betrays itself; and I should have a very indifferent opinion of a boy who was inclined to vice or mischief in his play, though he behaved with the utmost propriety on other occasions. 9. A disposition to spórt we rather expect in youth of your age, and are even pleased with it, while confined within the bounds of innocence; but high spirits, and want of reflection, I know, often lead boys into vice and mischief in their diversons.

10.

That this might not be the case with you, never let fire-arms, gunpowder, bows and arrows, throwing of stones, and the like, have a place in your sports while at school. 11. There are a thousand little mischievous and provoking actions which are committed occasionally by boys, under the idea of play, and which you have been often witness to, if not concerned in, I make no question: from all these I would have you religiously abstain : because there is always something little, mean, and impudent in them, and these are defects of character to which I wish you to be wholly a stranger.

CHAP. X.

Of Behaviour to a Master.

3. Se ve"-ri-ty, s. cruel treatment, rigour. 4. Im-pli"-cit, a. real, resting upon another.

5. Ex-ter-nal, a. outward.

6. Sig-ni"-fi-cant, a. important, expressive.

7. Ac-qui-es'ce, v. to submit, to yield, to comply with.

8. Cir'-c
-cum-spect, a. cautious, wise.

Tes'-ti-fy, v to prove, to witness.

9. Im-per-ti nence, s. rudeness, folly.

Au da"-ci ty, s. boldness; acting with a great deal of impudenceor rashness.

10. Quibʻ-bling, part. acting or speaking with a great deal of deceit, playing on the mere sound of words.

Pre-va"-ri-ca-ting, part, the act of wavering or giving false answers, cavilling, quibbling.

11. A ver'-si-on, s. hatred, dislike.

12. Coun'-te-nance, v. to support, or encourage.. 13. Vin'-di-ca-ting, part. supporting, justifying. De ter', v. to discourage, dishearten, stop.

14. De-pra'v-ed, a. corrupted, made bad.

Fe" lon, s. a person who is guilty of some crime, which will subject him to death by the law.

1. I HAVE the fullest confidence in your master, otherwise I should not have entrusted you to his care. 2. He is capable of conducting your education with the greatest success, both from his constant attention, and his extensive acquirements. 3. Add to this, I am sure, from his goodness and command of temper, he will never treat you with unmerited severity. 4. You are therefore given up wholly to his government: and an implicit obedience, on all occasions, will be required of you. 5. I do not mean with regard to external actions only, but in matters of opinion also. 6. You must never take the liberty to think you are used ill when you are reproved, and express your resentment accordingly by significant looks, or a sullen, disrespectful behaviour for this is abominable in a boy. 7. Always consider those who have the care and trouble of instructing you, as the best judges of your conduct, and acquiesce with silence and submission. 8. If you have by carelessness or indolence, or any irregularity, incurred your master's displeasure, iet your behaviour shew that you are convinced of your fault, and sorry for it; and let your future conduct be more circumspect, and testify your sincerity.

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9. You have seen boys behave with impertinence and a degree of audacity to their master. 10. When they have been questioned for the commission of some mischief, of which they were really guilty, you have been witness to a string of quibbling, prevaricating answers, and many direct falsehoods which they have uttered. 11. Always be ashamed of such

conduct, and regard it with aversion. 12. Some of their school-fellows, perhaps, may be silly enough to countenance such behaviour, and call those who are base enough to be guilty of it, good fellows, lads of spirit, &c. 13. But remember, that true spirit consists not in vindicating crimes; but in a generous pride that will always deter you from the commission of them, and make you ashamed of every thing that is base or wicked. 14. That audacious spirit which maintains confidence in guilt, is a mark of the most depraved disposition, and is no better than the courage of a public felon.

CHAP. XI.

We should examine Men by their true Worth, and not by their outward Appearance.

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2. Ca-pa"-ri-sons, s. superb dresses for a horse.

Ges'-ses, s. pl. the furniture or dress belonging to a hawk.

4. Su perb', a. grand, stately.

Train, s. retinue, or a number of attendants.

Re"-ve-nue, s. income, yearly profits raised by taxes.

6. Es'-ti-mate, s. valuation.

7. Re-pu'te, v. to account, to think.

Pe"-des-tal, s. basis of a statue, or the pillars on which it stands. 8. Func'-ti ons, s. pl. the offices of the different parts of the body. 9. Ca-pa-ci-ous, a. (applied to the mind) extensive, containing a great stock of knowledge. (Wide, large.)

1. MAN excepted, no creature is esteemed beyond its proper qualities. 2. We commend a horsefor his strength and sureness of foot, not for his rich caparisons; a greyhound for his heels, not for his fine collar; a hawk for her wing, not for her gesses and bells. 3. Why in like manner do we not value

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