Now, don't be
frightened at this, for you do a great many things every day, and this
isn't a very awful condition. The time spent may be longer or shorter,
according to the matter to be written up; but try and write, at least a
little, every day. "_Nulla dies sine linea_"--no day without a line--is
a good motto. It is a great deal easier to write a little every day,
than to write up several days in one.

Do not get for a journal a book with the dates already printed in it.
That kind will do very well for a merchant's note-book, but not for the
young man or woman who wants to keep a live, cheerful account of a happy
and pleasant life. Sometimes you will have a picnic or excursion to
write about, and will want to fill more space than the printed page
allows. Buy a substantially bound blank-book, made of good paper; write
your name and address plainly on the fly-leaf, and, if you choose, paste
a calendar inside the cover. Set down the date at the head of the first
page, thus: "Tuesday, October 1, 1878." Then begin the record of the
day, endeavoring as far as possible to mention the events in the correct
order of time,--morning, afternoon and evening. When this is done, write
in the middle of the page, "Wednesday, October 2," and you are ready for
the record of the next day. It is well to set down the year at the top
of each page.

But what are you to write about? First, the weather. Don't forget this.
Write, "Cold and windy," or "Warm and bright," as the case may be. It
takes but a moment, and in a few years you will have a complete record
of the weather, which will be found not only curious, but useful.

Then put down the letters you have received or written, and, if you
wish, any money paid or received. The day of beginning or leaving
school; the studies you pursue; visits from or to your friends; picnics
or sleigh-rides; the books you have read; and all such items of interest
should be noted. Write anything that you want to remember. After trying
this plan a short time, you will be surprised at the many things
constantly occurring which you used to overlook, but which now form
pleasant paragraphs in your book. But don't try to write something when
there is nothing to write. If there is only a line to be written, write
that, and begin again next day.

Do not set down about people anything which you would not wish them to
see. It is not likely that any one will ever see your writing, but it is
possible, so, always be