only that the law to which it is proposed to subject it be one worthy of its obedience, finds its best strength, as well as its most appropriate embellishment, in wearing its fetters. Art, which is the manifestation of genius, is equally the manifestation of judgment; which instead, therefore, of being something irreconcilable with genius, may, from this truth, be discerned to be not only its most natural ally, but, in all its highest creations, its indispensable associate and fellow-labourer."

8. -2. The second requisite for the attainment of knowledge is, the habit of fixing our undivided attention upon the subject under consideration.

Want of success in study arises frequently, not so much from the nature of the subject itself, as from the difficulty we experience in preventing our thoughts from wandering.

The first step to be taken in order to fix the attention, is to remove all those obstacles and temptations which would retard our progress. A variety and recurrence of outward objects, have great influence in distracting the attention; the diligent student must, therefore, withdraw to retirement and silence, and thus preclude, in some degree, the solicitations which arise from external things.

But there are other enemies besides those from without. The memory and imagination are ever active in withdrawing our attention from the proper subjects of study. To these may be added, restlessness, impatience, anxiety, and whatever tends to agitate the mind or depress the spirits. But, from whatever source, and in whatever shape, the impediments to attention spring up, the student must endeavour to throw them off with spirit and determination; for nothing important can be attained without close and strenuous application. Whatever difficulty may attend our first efforts in the attainment of this valuable object, repetition will render every effort easier, and practice will induce the habit.

One expedient, sometimes adopted when the attention begins to flag, is to read aloud; another is to close the book, and try to recollect or write down what we have been reading.

9. 3. A third requisite is, rightly and fully to understand the meaning of an author; for, unless we accustom ourselves to affix to every word and sentence its proper signification, our ideas of the subject will be indistinct, and our conclusions erroneous.

First. Consider the signification of the words and phrases, according to the import usually attached to them by persons of the

same nation, and about the same time as that in which the author lived.- This rule is important in ascertaining the exact modern meaning of several terms employed in the authorized version of the Scriptures, but which have become obsolete in the sense understood two centuries ago. The same remark may be made with regard to many words occurring in Chaucer, Shakspeare, Spenser, and other writers of that period.

Secondly. Compare the words and phrases in one place of an author with the same or kindred words and phrases used in other places of the same author; these are generally called parallel passages. This rule is particularly applicable with respect to the Scriptures.

Thirdly. Observe the scope and design of the writer in that particular chapter, section, or paragraph, in which the word or phrase occurs, and this will assist in ascertaining the true meaning.

Fourthly. Consider not only the person who is introduced as speaking, but the persons to whom the speech is directed, the circumstances of time and place, the temper and spirit of the speaker, as well as the temper and spirit of the hearers. Thus, to interpret the Scriptures properly, a person should be well acquainted with the Jewish customs, and also, with the ancient Roman and Grecian times and

manners,

Fifthly. In matters of dispute, we should never, from any prejudice of party spirit, warp the sense of the writer to our own opinion, but fairly and honestly understand it as the author intended it. We should also dismiss all passion, malice, envy, pride, or opposition to an author; by which we may be easily tempted to put a false and invidious construction upon his words.

Sixthly. It has been recommended, with respect to a work of importance, first to read it through in a rather cursory manner, previously to our reading it with studious attention; because, there may be several difficulties which cannot be distinctly understood, without a clearer comprehension of the author's whole scheme. In such treatises, many difficulties which present themselves at first, may be solved as we proceed. Those passages, however, which require more than ordinary attention, should be marked for a closer exami. nation afterwards.

10.-4. A fourth requisite is, to discriminate between true and false reasoning.

This is one of the most important, and one of the most difficult of all the requirements that we have enumerated; and to be fully acted

upon, requires a gradual procedure. Thus, it would be absurd to expect a boy of fourteen or sixteen, or even an adult who has not been much accustomed to attend to a train of reasoning, to ascertain on which side the truth lies, from the arguments adduced by Dr. Whately in favour of the Syllogism, and those given by Dr. Campbell in opposition to it. To determine in such cases with propriety, requires some experience in the art of argumentation. — As a General Rule the exercise of good common sense, careful analysis, and freedom from passion, prejudice, or undue partiality is indispensable for distinguishing truth from error.

11.-5. A fifth requisite is, to endeavour to arrive at GENERAL PRINCIPLES on all the subjects to which our attention is directed.

In every kind of knowledge, whether art, science, or religion, there are some fixed principles with which we must become thoroughly acquainted. These will serve as a safe guide in all our subsequent inquiries, and frequently as a test of the truth or fallacy of our conclusions. Such is that great principle in natural philosophy, the doctrine of gravitation, or the mutual tendency of all bodies towards each other, by which Sir Isaac Newton accounted for a multitude of appearances in the heavenly bodies as well as on the earth. Such is that principle of morality given us by our Saviour, "Do to others as you would have them do to you;" which should be the rule of action towards our neighbour. And such, also, are those principles in religion, “That a rational creature is accountable to his Maker for his actions ;""That the soul of man is immortal," &c. We must, however, be careful to admit nothing as an established principle which is not just and true; for an error in principle may engender thousands in practice.

It is not, of course, to be expected that we can arrive at absolute certainty on every subject of inquiry, as there are many things beyond the limited comprehension of man. Yet, we must balance arguments as justly as we can, and decide according to the preponderance of evidence, be that ever so small. This course will enable us to form a probable opinion: and these probabilities frequently determine a thousand actions in human life, and sometimes even in matters of religion.

12.-6. To arrive at a proper general conclusion in our reasoning and inquiries, no habit is more important than that of Patient Investigation.

To investigate, in the original acceptation of the word, signifies to

search for an unknown object, by observing and following the traces which it has left, in the path which leads to its unknown situation : -The habit of patient investigation, is equally requisite and beneficial in the investigation of individual character, historic facts, the phenomena of matter and of mind, and the still more important truths of Divine Revelation. It requires long and attentive, observation in noticing and collecting a number of facts; discriminating judgment in ascertaining in what particulars they agree with, or, in what they differ from each other; and just reasoning in forming some general conclusion.

13.-7. Observation is another mode which contributes towards the attainment of Knowledge.

By Observation is here meant, that notice which the mind takes of the occurrences of human life, whether they are sensible or intellectual, whether relating to persons or things, to ourselves or others. Whatever we see, hear, feel, or perceive by sense or consciousness, may be included under this head. The habit of Observation is, indeed, of the first importance in every department of life. The successful acquisition of every science depending upon experiment; - the attainment of knowledge of every kind depending upon the exercise of the perceptive faculty; — the cultivation of taste;the common concerns of life;—the intercourses of civility;-and the efforts of benevolence; - require the constant exercise of this valuable habit.

14.-8. Attendance on Lectures is another means of improving in knowledge; but, it is necessary, that we should have some previous acquaintance with the subject, and afterwards, examine and treasure up the knowledge thus acquired. Lectures heard under these circumstances will be beneficial, and particularly if the Lecturer is eminently qualified to communicate his knowledge, and possessed of suitable apparatus. Unless some such method as the one just recommended be adopted, attendance on lectures will degenerate into mere trifling.

15.-9. ABLE INSTRUCTORS SUPPLY THE BEST AND SHORTEST MODES OF ACQUIRING KNOWLEDGE. The habits just enumerated are more or less valuable in every period of our existence. But the method incomparably beyond all others for forming good habits of study, in general,—for securing the most efficient aid in acquiring sound knowledge, the accuracy of which has been actually tested, and fo:

imbibing a style of neatness, if not of elegance, in any department, is the employment (by adults as well as by youth) of accomplished and energetic instructors. · How many worthy individuals have lost their money in the purchase of inferior and improper books unsuitable to their age and capacity, and destitute of the required information. They may thus have toiled to acquire the merest trash. But even should they, acting on the kind recommendation of some judicious friend, have been fortunate enough to purchase the most suitable productions, how frequently have they devoted their energies, if not to trifles, yet to minor topics, to the neglect of the main principles of the subject. For, to suppose that any self-taught student could, without assistance, readily discover the leading principles of a subject, is to attribute to a learner a degree of wisdom utterly at variance with all experience. On the contrary, how frequently does such an individual wander in the dark, when the light of an instructor would illuminate with meridian perspicuity.

Under the guidance of an able and judicious instructor, the hazard of using inferior productions, or of falling into desultory and profitless habits of study, is avoided. Appropriate exercises are prescribed, difficulties are surmounted by means of the explanations at hand, the leading principles of the subject are rendered plain by the skill of the master, errors and misconceptions are rectified, and efficiency secured by the regular examinations to be undergone.

II. OF THE RETENTION OF OUR KNOWLEDGE.

16. The RETENTION of our knowledge depends upon the Memory; we shall, therefore, speak of the importance and cultivation of this faculty.

By the Memory, we understand that faculty by which the mind retains and recalls the ideas which it has previously received.

a. The Importance of the memory has been much undervalued by several writers on education, who, perhaps, from having seen the memory alone cultivated during the period of childhood, have gone to the opposite extreme of scarcely cultivating it at all. But this is a most dangerous error; for, why labour to acquire what we cannot retain? Without memory, the mind of man would be a perfect blank, destitute of past impressions, past reasonings, past conclusions, past experience, and, consequently, unfit for the conduct of life and the pursuits of science.

b. The memory, if judiciously cultivated, assists the judgment; for a proper conclusion depends, in some measure, on a survey and