Alexandria advertiser and commercial intelligencer. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1800-1803, 1802-07-13

character and his ruling pailion, IN order
properly TO climate the degree OF conf
dence he merits.
Again, not iatished with reading with
attention, we ihould read with reioluti-
on to retain whatever is worthy OF recol-
lection, and 10 apply it to our particular
uie in The purfuits of life. The greal end
of all our reading ihould, he TO correct ialfs
opiiions-to enlarge the iphere OF our
knowledge, and to strengthen US in the
habits and practice of virtue. To read
much is OF little importance what is more
enentlal, is 10 retain What we have read,
to digelf il well, TO fix it permanently IN
our minds by rejection, and TO render It
uleful in the concerns OF life. To the light
thus acquired we fhouid add cur own, we
ihoaId follow the TRACT of knowledge,
thus opened to our view, in order to &C
euire new information, and from principles
evidently found, to draw juR and uts.ul
consequences.
Such are the chief advantages to be
drawn from books-they fhould lead US to
reflection, TO habits of virtue and OF cor
rect thought. Ihofe works are the beit
which furnilh the mof fubjeefs for remark;
and thofe are the mott uietul that recall us
mott frequently TO our cwn reflections, or
that confirm thofe y;rtuous ien,iments
which they excite.
While gagged in the puifuit Of know.
ledge, there is rule which ought TO be
obleryed with care. To read with ad-
vantage, enc thould often review work
thar Is trnely good. A ftrong feature
which charatterizes every web executed
work thar bears the impreflon Of genuine
talents; OF truth or virtue is, thai II
eldom latiguss the reaier; on fecond or
third reading il afards as much Peafure
and .infruttion as at frft. The peruiai
OF good book is like converting with an
enlightened and virtuous friend 10 this
che returns with conltart and unallcyed
|pleafure--it is rich mine, which how
ever often dug, itilliupplles new trealurcs,
il is ilream forever flowing, and for
ever conveying freh materials for thought
and enjoyment.
But in applying ouffelves to reading,
we ihould be very cautious not to devote
too much tine, nor TO ahix too high a
value TO this employment. IT'S but a
mean of acquiring Wifdom. True wifdem
cond!ts not 10 much in kxo1vixg what is
juf and good, as in prattihng il. It is
the duty, therefore, of every one who has
duties TO difcharge, OF who is called to
the exerciie of the focal virtues, TO pre-
fer thefe to the employment Of his time in
reading. knowledge theimot dittinguilh.
ed, while it couGRs in mere fpeeBlation,
is nothing but vanity. fit does net rem
der US berler in focal ard dcmeftic life,
It's benefits are few indeed. In word,
not content with reading book,, we fhould
endeayor ALTO to learn from the expr,1euee
Of others, to itudy their hearts, and to
indy our own. The fources of wildom
and truth are NOT far from any of U.s.
They are at hand, under the eyes of all
men, of the poor as cfthe rich, of the ig-
norant as Of the learned. Human file is
fcnooi of wiidom; Every day reveals to
us ionle important truth. What volume
is experience! What ufeful leiions does il
teach Often feyere and diltrelling, bur
not the leis falutary on that account.
Alas, that It's leGons fhould 70 frequently
be forgotten! What book is in the human
heart! Could we more frequently def end
iuto our own, whar fund Of intellectual
and moral wealth fhould we find. There
lie thofe germs of virtue, which, properly
foaered, would fPring up and bear rich
harveR Of enjoyment; there lie thoie hid
den frrings Of attion, from which proceed
the virtues and affections which 70 eaenti-
ally contribute TO the Happiness of others.
Finally, is not the whole world book
C,rayay o,,en to orr eyes Z Her? the hand