to a ploughshare, and the spears into pruning hooks? When nation shall no more rise up against nation, and Emperors and Kings shall become the most exemplary subjects in the peaceable kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. He, May, 1814.

HUMANUS.

Instructions of a Father to his Son.

TO THE EDITORS OF THE CHEAP MAGAZINE.

Gentlemen,

IT was not till the commencement of the present year that I saw your Miscellany.-Approving of the plan, and the mode of communicating useful knowledge and instruction to the rising generation, by my desire it has since paid a monthly visit to my house for the use of my family, and I beg leave to say, the young ones long for its appearand are much disappointed when it does not come at the time appointed-this would not be the case were it not a favourite.

ance,

The following hints, by way of advice, were put into the hands of my eldest son, (in the year 1809, then. aged sixteen,) when bidding him farewell, on leaving my house to go to some distance to be an Amanuensis to a literary gentleman. I am happy to inform you that he has acted up to my instructions: but whether they are worth publishing for the use of others, you must be judge.

24th March, 1814.

MY DEAR SON,

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As now for the first time you leave my house to mix among strangers, I deem it my duty to drop a few hints, as a kind of guide to carry along with you; and though they may be simple and plain, without the decoration of elegant language to tickle your ear, yet by an attentive perusal, and practical application, they may tend to your benefit. Having acquired some knowledge of mankind, (which you cannot be expected to have,) having an affectionate concern for your welfare and sustaining the character of FATHER, I have a double claim to your attention and obedience.

1. I must acknowledge, since you arrived at the years of understanding

understanding, I have been satisfied with your conduct as to sobriety and diligent application to your studies and profession. However, though you have hitherto been walking in the paths of virtue, caution and watchfulness are indispensible; now more so than ever; for snares and temptations lie thickly scattered in the way of youth.The allurements to the snares of vice are chiefly to be met with in the association of insinuating, wicked persons; whose fellowship is more perilous, and more to be dreaded, than to have intercourse with those who are infected with the plague. "Society is natural to man ;" and this propensity should be indulged, for it is his duty to be engaged in it, that he may share rational and sound enjoyments, and every other blessing connected with it. You have now reached the time of life when a selection of companions and friends are requisite; but in doing this a considerable share of wisdom, penetration, and discrimin ation must be exercised ::-an error in judgment here, may terminate in your ruin. To assist you a little in this important business, I shall briefly state a rule I have attended to myself, which, in general, I have experienced to be safe, and which I recommend as a test to you.-Propriety of conduct is the best criterion of good principles; there fore, if you find one who habitually makes breaches in any of the Ten Commandments, he is not a fit person to make a companion of. On the other hand, you are warranted to have intercourse with those who have a tender conscience, and obey these holy laws.

2. In your communication with individuals, or society, pay a strict regard to truth and candour, though it should militate against you Did you ever know a liar or a quibbler respected?-No-He is justly abhored :-Veracity begets confidence, and confidence gives birth to esteem; but a retailer of falsehoods is not only detested, but not believed when he states facts! How pitiable such a character-Shunned by honest men, he is a son of the Devil.-Such an appelation I trust you will never meritI presume you aspire to higher connections.

3. Never promise any thing till you revolve in your mind that you can accomplish it :-and when you make

appointments

appointments be precise to keep time to a minute; this is attended to by all who act consistently, and pay regard to what they say and what they do; and be assured this is one way of securing respect.

4. Cultivate a good address; and always speak good sense. Some have a greater share of mother-wit than others; if you are deficient in this, wisdom and prudence are attainable by experience, reading, and study; of which I hope you will avail yourself, and lay up such a store as will guide your steps, while in this world, with honour to yourself, and comfort to all concerned.

5. Steering clear of a sheepish bashfulness on the one hand, and impudence on the other, ever manifest a modest, cheerful, easy, open frankness, and affability in your deportment, never allowing yourself, if possible, to be irritated or to look sulky.

6. Young persons are apt to possess a greater share of pride than is becoming; and pride is truly disgusting: Even a proud puppy hates to see its assumed airs of importance in any one.-Some are proud of their handsome person and dress, others of their connexions, others of their situation and circumstances in life, some of their wealth, some of their talents, learning, and other accomplishments; but, do any die proud of such things? I trow not :on this, and "be clothed with humility," which is an ornament to all who wear it; besides, they are on the right road to preferment. Every day's experience confirms the wise sayings of SOLOMON, that "before honour is humility; that pride goeth before destruction; and a haughty spirit before a fall."

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7. As you are now to be a servant of no mean rank, be rigidly pointed to do your duty as such, by being faithfully attentive and assiduous :-need I tell you to be scrupulously honest? I shall only say, whatever is the property of your master, even to a sheet of paper, touch it not for

Jour own use.

8. There is no situation we can be placed in but there may be something disagreeable annexed to it; hence the fickle manner of a number of persons changing their calling, or profession, in hope to be more comfortable; but every change genders unhappiness,

"Makes them poor, and keeps them so.” VOL. II.

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The use you and I should make of such examples is, to persevere and do our best in the vocation to which Providence has appointed us. It argues a weak mind to complain, if our situation is tolerable. Let us bear trials with patience, and encounter difficulties in our lot with serenity and submission; thus endeavouring to attain the magnanimity of mind possessed by the Apostle PAUL, who had learned in whatever state he was, therewith to be

content.

9. As you profess to believe the gospel of our Lord and Saviour, JESUS CHRIST, I charge you not to give the lie to your profession. Faith in Him, which is the gift of God, operating upon the heart by the Holy Spirit, is a living principle; worketh by love, has its fruit unto holiness, and the end is everlasting life. If these doctrines have a firm hold of your mind, the rules I have been recommending will be, by Divine assistance, reduced to practice as a native consequence. You will also be influenced by the fear of God; pray for his blessing and direction: you will observe all the ordinances of Christ; and be constrained, in all your transactions with mankind, to do to them what you would wish they should do to you.

Not wishing to be tedious, as several other useful hints for the regulation of your conduct occur to my mind, I shall again resume the subject (God willing.)-In the meantime seriously muse over what I have stated, and reduce the whole to practice. The advice of a parent should never be slighted:, Who ever prospered who did?-Farewell.

On Frugality.

Nor trivial loss, nor trivial gain despise, Molehills, if often heap'd, to mountains rise; Weigh ev'ry small expense, and nothing waste, Farthings long sav'd, amount to pounds at last. IT is extremely lamentable to consider the bad effects of extravagance, as exemplified in every department of life. Thousands of families have experienced its baneful consequences. And the cause of this evil has chiefly arisen from not paying proper attention to small expenses. Such an article is cheap, and therefore may be purchased (not considering

considering that we may not be able to afford it,) is a very common plea. Others are too prone to waste on common beggars, who are frequently the pests of society, what may in its proper season be expended on proper objects.

And

at the close of a month, but much more at the close of a year, it is really astonishing what expenditure may be traced from trivial expenses.

PRODIGUS is possessed of many excellencies; he is very attentive to the duties of his profession; but at the same time is very inattentive to the expenditure of his property. He may be considered as far from being extravagant, but then he is not economical in his expenses. If he see any thing that courts his attention, he purchases it, without the least inquiry if he can afford it. If thirty or forty sturdy lazy beggars were to solicit his attention in a day, he readily imparts his charity without the least caution or reserve, till he finds his finances imperceptibly exhausted, and he is poor indeed. He may appear generous to the multitude, but in reality he is not, for his liberality is not well founded. Whilst on the one hand we blame the conduct of PRODIGUS, on the other the behaviour of AVARUS is e qually reprehensible. Miserable to an extreme is the disposition he exemplifies in common life; for he will not allow himself common necessaries. His appearance therefore is very shabby, and his countenance is very meagre. And though a worthy object may be presented to his view, he can feel no commiseration for a fellow-creature. His gold is his god; and therefore he neglects his duties to God and man. So that he dies a nuisance to society, unlamented by the poor and all good men. We turn away from both these characters to one worthy of our admiration. MODERATUS was far from being affluent in his younger years; but by honest industry he is raised above mediocrity. And therefore, though not rich, he is generous. By the strictest attention to small expenses, he has accumulated property; and is not fond of contracting debt without the prospect of payment. He is indeed moderate in his diet, plain in his dress, and economical in his furniture, but then he does not deny himself the necessaries of life; but makes use of many of its comforts, and imparts freely to the worthy poor, at every convenient opportunity. Thus,

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MODERATUS