ruple, the most foolish, commonplace notions of boys,
about what is right and wrong; it will not, and cannot, from the
lightness of its mind, concern itself seriously about what is evil in
the conduct of others, because it takes no regular care of its own, with
reference to pleasing God; it will not do anything low or wicked, but it
will sometimes laugh at those who do; and it will by no means take
pains to encourage, nay, it will sometimes thwart and oppose anything
that breathes a higher spirit, and asserts a more manly and Christian
standard of duty.

One cause of this consists in the number and character and cheapness,
and peculiar mode of publication, of the works of amusement of the
present day. The works of amusement published only a very few years
since were comparatively few in number; they were less exciting, and
therefore less attractive; they were dearer, and therefore less
accessible; and, not being published periodically, they did not occupy
the mind for so long a time, nor keep alive so constant an expectation;
nor, by thus dwelling upon the mind, and distilling themselves into it
as it were drop by drop, did they possess it so largely, coloring even,
in many instances, its very language, and affording frequent matter for
conversation.

The evil of all these circumstances is actually enormous. The mass of
human minds, and much more of the minds of young persons, have no great
appetite for intellectual exercise; but they have some, which by careful
treatment may be strengthened and increased. But here to this weak and
delicate appetite is presented an abundance of the most stimulating and
least nourishing food possible. It snatches it greedily, and is not only
satisfied, but actually conceives a distaste for anything simpler and
more wholesome. That curiosity which is wisely given us to lead us on to
knowledge, finds its full gratification in the details of an exciting
and protracted story, and then lies down as it were gorged, and goes to
sleep. Other faculties claim their turn, and have it. We know that in
youth the healthy body and lively spirits require exercise, and in this
they may and ought to be indulged; but the time and interest which
remain over when the body has had its enjoyment, and the mind desires
its share, this has been already wasted and exhausted upon things
utterly unprofitable: so that the mind goes to its work hurriedly and
languidly, and feels it to be no more than a burden. The me