The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1844-03-09

not II Is such as Shouiu De reauE III ulSn !
of which you have never yet partaken,
be set down before you, you do not de-
vour it all, before you know, whether or
not, it is palatabIe. And so in reading if
you have been careful TO form correct
taste, you may judge from the perusal of
few pages, if it be exPedent for you to
finish it.
Having thus far discoursed upon the
proper course of reading, what we now
call attention to, is the proper manner Of
reading.
lie who desires to be profted by what
he reads, will be careful to understand as
he progresses and will never pass over
word or sentence without fully under
standing it. Suce portions as are useful
and of interest, to be carefully garnered
in the memory. To do this properly,
also requires the exercise of individual
Judgment, and cannot be defined by rules.
Many persons in reading, will retain some
useless anecdote or quaint expression and
in few hours forget valuable and impor-
lant fact, or a iorcible and beautiful thought.
| Whilst others again rating knowledge by
| the number Of books read, rush on with
such precipilant haste, as TO be little ifany
wiser of the contents when done, than
| when thew commenced the volume. But
| he who is aiming to enrich his mind with
the valuable treasures Of literature, will
note down such matter as he deems i'm
porlant. and such thoughts as are remark
able for their force and beauty, and at the
close of each day will review atlenlively
in his mind the matter which he may
have peruscd through the day,
Having now ascertained that it is i'm
por,anl To make a proper selection Of read
Ing matter, and that this matter is to be
read in proper manner, we will next
proceed to enquire of what avail will it
be, or :.where wi,hal will it profit a man"
The grea, importance OF reading consists,
not only in the Information obtained, but
also in the exercise it gives to the mental
faculties; expanding the intellect. strength
enlug the memory, maturing thejndgment,
laying up stock of knowledge. that is
not only of incaIculabIe profit, but a solid
and uniailrg source Of future enjoyment,
These are the rewards of improving our
leisure hours in reading.
A writer has truly remarked, ''as it is in
the body so it is in the mind, practice
makes ii what it is, and most even of tn Sc
eXcelcncies, which are looked upon as
, natural en-. Dwments, will be found when
examined into more narrowly, 10 be the
, product Of ,Tercise, and to be raised to
'hat pitch only By repeated actions."
f This theory may be set down as an
axiom. II is founded upon an immulablt
law OF nature. and never has and never
can fail. If This be fact, it follows ther
that the reverse is equally true--neglec
/ to exercise the limbs of the body, ant
4 they loose their strength and wlther away
neglect the mental powers, and they as
surely loose even the strength with which
nature first endowed them; here then is as
(; cG'talned most important fact, riz; tina
! teIlectual superiority, depends chief,
} upon nnremltting cxerlon. Do you des
t ire to explore the deep and hidden mys
: terles OF knowledge, TO thread the paths o
' science and scaling her loftiest height
, gaze with ravished eyes upon her vas
: treasures spread out before you If Sc
then turn thy attention to reading and lie
5 no moment pass by unmproved. Wha
= mind would moi delight in retiring from
!, the busy haunts Of men, and taking III
the volume of history, mingle with tn
e scnes Of antiquity, follow Alexander from
t one bright scene of glory and congues
! IN Iii
y reer, and contemplate him on the bank
a of the lonely Hyphauses as he weeps 70
\ more worlds TO conquer. Stand in tn
$ Roman Senate, and linger around tn
Y Areopagus Of Athens, and travelling dow
), through the lapse of centuries, pause 70
t of the English Court. ard wonder that S
!. weak and cowardly a tyrant as James tn
! first, shouid ever sway the sceptor owe
d intelligent beings. What pleasure is her
e open to us, to live over again ages tina
II are forever past, and to hold convers
:. with the mighty dead. What man worth
= OF the name, would not rather thus spen
n his hours than idle them away in fashion
e able amusements, or dream them away /
! needless slumber. Every man is the al
y tficer Of his own intellectual attanments
= no difficulties should therefore discourage
Il The effort of overcoming them, will in
= crease the energy and vigonr of the minc
re Not greater is the change that has bee
IF effected, when the rude Que appear
II wrought INTO the Demsscus blade. maj
y the transformation tina: NAV be made, il
ii the mind by improving the passing hour
O in reading.
o acknowledge is power" and those VIII
+ expect TO rise 10 eminence and to com
is mand the respect and admiration Of man
u KIND, must devote themselves to its 81
is quirement. Let the watch word dull-
= be APPLICATION and WI. .lose, COM