more interest and success, when persons are disengaged from the various other duties of school. Reading, in particular, which is one of the most rational and interesting of all occupations, should not be neglected, because when well directed, and attended with perseverance and reflection, it is a most effectual means of enriching the mind, improving the judgment, and giving solidity to mental acquirements. Music, drawing, or those other ornamental acquirements which engross so much time, and are attended with considerable expense, cannot, except through necessity, be laid aside by any young lady without injustice to herself, or to those friends who spared no exertions to render her accomplished in every respect.

But, as it will avail a man nothing, to gain the whole world, if he lose his own soul, it follows, that the essential duty which all Christians have to discharge towards themselves, consists in the attention they are bound to pay to the concerns of their souls. Those who are brought up with care, and who enjoy in their early years such continual assistance, advice, instruction, and admonition, as make the practice of virtue easy, and leave them little more to do, than to correspond with the exertions of others, very often fail in this important point, and fall off considerably, when their virtue begins to depend more on themselves, and they are obliged to walk as it were alone in the path of God's commandments. Like the young King Joas, who continued to love and serve God only while under the care of the High Priest Joiada, such young persons persevere in the practice of virtue, so long as they are urged or encouraged to do so; but as soon as external help fails, their resolution begins to waver, and thereby they run an evident risk of soon falling. The best method of guarding against this danger, is to impress on their hearts those solid principles of the fear and love of God, which are the foundation of true virtue, and also to adopt the means necessary for promoting their own immediate sanctification, particularly the following: First, the advice of a Director, which is necessary to all Christians, but indispensably requisite for youth. "Be not "without a guide," says St. Jerom, speaking to young persons," lest you should mistake your road, and perish

"in your wandering, or go faster, or slower, than God "requires."-Secondly, spiritual reading: a great variety of spiritual books should be avoided, lest their multiplicity serve to prevent the maxims of any from making a due impression. The New Testament, the Lives of the Saints, the Introduction to a devout Life, the Imitation of Christ, the Spiritual Combat, the Think Well On't, and the Characters of real Devotion, are works from which young persons may undoubtedly draw the two great benefits to be derived from spiritual reading, viz. instruction in the maxims of virtue, and encouragement for reducing those maxims to practice: a more extensive spiritual library will be better timed, when their judgment and character are firmly and happily formed.

Thirdly, Serious reflection on the great truths of religion. This is a precaution absolutely necessary for preventing the maxims of the gospel from being effaced in their early years by those of the world. Death-judgment-the shortness of time, and duration of eternity— the misery of sin, the vanity of the world-the death and passion of Jesus Christ-the merit and necessity of suffering the spirit of Christianity, and duties of a Christian, should be assiduously considered by all young persons, and great care taken on their part to retain the counsels and instructions of their early years, and make use of them as occasions may require, for the direction of their conduct.

This Work, though particularly designed for the use and instruction of young persons during their studies, and on that account adapted to their capacities in simplicity of style, and confined chiefly to their actual wants, as to the selection of prayers and spiritual exercises, will be found very useful in assisting the memory, and seconding the laudable efforts of those who sincerely desire to preserve in their hearts the spirit of piety. It is recommended to them in their progress through life, as a summary of the advice and instructions they had been accustomed to receive, and as a kind of mirror, in which they may at any time discern how far they have retained or lost the virtuous impressions of their early youth. Should this Work fall into the hands of any persons who were educated and instructed according to the principles it in

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culcates, yet who are now conscious that their life in the world does not correspond with the early graces they received, it is most sincerely hoped, that it will not only serve to remind them of the blessings they received from God, and the ingratitude of abusing the early mercies of the Lord, but also assist them to trace back their steps, at least, to the virtues of their childhood; and enable them to regain their first fervour, and to preserve with more fidelity, during the remainder of their lives, that perfect knowledge of the obligations of a Christian, and that determined, efficacious will to fulfil them, which are the two most precious fruits to be derived from a RELIGIOUS EDUCATION.