the above plan strictly.[K] In such case, you can vary it to suit
your circumstances and convenience. But always have a regular system.
You will find it very profitable to take notes in writing of such
thoughts as occur to your own mind, in the course of your reading; and
particularly of the several points to be noted in history, and of the
practical lesson which you learn from biography. And you ought always to
give sufficient time to your reading to enable you to understand it
thoroughly.

[Footnote K: In the Appendix will be found a list of books, suitable
for the course here recommended.]

As you have never manifested a taste for what is commonly called light
reading, it is hardly necessary for me to say anything on the subject. I
cannot see how a Christian, who has had a taste of "_angel's food_" can
relish the miserable trash contained in _novels._ The tendency of novel
reading is most pernicious. It enervates the mental powers, and unfits
them for close study and serious contemplation. It dissipates the mind,
and creates a diseased imagination. It promotes a sickly sensibility,
and renders its votaries unfit for the pursuits of real life. It is a
great waste of time, and on this account alone may be regarded as
sinful. But I would not advise you to read _any_ books, merely because
you can get nothing else; nor because there is nothing bad in them.
There are many books which contain nothing particularly objectionable,
which, nevertheless, are not the best that can be obtained. There are so
many good books, that there is no necessity for wasting your precious
time upon crude, ill-digested, or unprofitable works. You may, however,
devote some time pleasantly and profitably, to reading the best English
classics, both in poetry and prose; which, for the want of a better
term, I shall include under the head of _Literary_, for the purpose of
cultivating the imagination, improving the taste, and enriching your
style. These should be selected with great discrimination and care, with
reference both to their style and their moral tendency. Poetry, to a
limited extent, tends to elevate the mind, cherish the finer
sensibilities of the heart, and refine the taste.

If you cannot obtain books which furnish you a _profitable_ employment
for your hours of leisure, devote them wholly to the study of the Bible.
This you always have with you; and you will find it a never-failing
treasure. The more you study it, the more delig