discovery of truth and information, will be amply gratified for the toil, in investigating the origin and progress of a jurisprudence which has the good of the people for its basis, and the accumulated wisdom and experience of ages for its improvement. Nor is the study itself so intricate as has been imagined, especially since the labours of some modern writers have given it a more regular and scientific form. Without industry, however, it is impossible to arrive at any eminence in practice; and the man who shall be bold enough to attempt excellence by abilities alone, will soon find himself foiled by many who have inferior understandings,

but better attainments.

I imagine that a considerable degree of learning is absolutely necessary. The elder authors fre quently wrote in Latin, and the foreign jurists continue the practice to this day. Besides, classi. cal attainments contribute much to the refinement of the understanding, and to the embellishment of the style. The utility of grammar, rhetoric, and logic, is known and felt by every one. Geometry will afford the most apposite examples of close and pointed reasoning; and geography is of so much use in common life, that there is less credit in knowing it, than dishonour in being unacquainted with it. But it is history, and more particularly that of his own country, which will occupy the attention and attract the regard of the great lawyer. A minute knowledge of the political revolutions, and of the judicial decisions of our predecessors, whether in the more ancient or modern eras of our government, is equally useful and interesting. This will include a narrative of all the material alterations in the common law, and the reasons of them.

I would always recommend a diligent attendance on the courts of justice, as by that means the practice of them (a circumstance of great moment) will be easily and naturally acquired. A much stronger impression will be made on the mind of the statement of the case, and the pleadings of the counsel, than by a cold, uninteresting detail of them in a report. But, above all, a trial at bar or a special argument should never be neglected. It is usual on these occasions to take notes: a knowledge of short-hand will give such facility to your labours as to enable you to follow the most rapid speaker with certainty and precision. Common-place books are convenient and useful; and as they are generally lettered, a reference may be had to them in a moment. It is usual to acquire some insight into real business, under an eminent special pleader, previous to actual practice at the bar: this idea I beg leave strongly to second; and, indeed, I have known but a few great men who have not possessed this advantage.

I subjoin a list of books necessary for your pcrusal and instruction, to which I have annexed some remarks. Wishing that you may add to a successful practice that integrity which can alone make you worthy of it, I remain, &c.

JOHN DUNNING.

Dr. Horn (afterwards bishop of Norwich) to a young clergyman.

DEAR

I AM much pleased to hear that you have been for some time stationary at Oxford; a place where a man may best prepare himself, to go forth as a burning and shining light, into a world, where

charity is waxed cold, and where truth is nearly obscured. Whenever it pleases God to appoint you to the government of a parish, you will find work enough to employ you. Therefore, before that time comes, you should be careful to provide yourself with all necessary knowledge; lest, by and by, when you ought to be building, you should have your materials to look for, and to bring together. Besides, the habit of studying and thinking, if it is not acquired in the first part of life, rarely comes afterwards. For want of spiritual exercises, a man is miserably drawn into the eddy of a worldly dissipation, and knows not how to get out of it again; the faculties of his soul are benumbed; and he sinks into indolence, till "the night cometh, when no man can work." Happy, therefore, is he, who betimes acquires a relish for holy solitude, and accustoms himself in his youth, to bear the yoke of Christ's discipline: who can sit alone and keep silence, and seek Wisdom diligently where she may be found, in the Scriptures of faith, and in the writings of the Saints; who, from these flowers of Paradise, extracts the honey of knowledge and divine love, and with it fills every cell of his understanding and affections; The winter of affliction, disease, and old age, will not surprise such an one in an unprepared state. He will not be confounded in the perilous time! and in the days of dearth, he will have enough to strengthen, comfort, and support, him and his brethren.

Precious beyond rubies are the hours of youth and health! Let none of them pass unprofitably away: for surely they make to themselves wings; and they are as a bird cutting swiftly the air, and the trace of her can no more be found. If well

spent, they fly to Heaven with news that rejoices angels; and they meet us again, as witnesses for us, at the tribunal of the Lord. When the graces of time run into the glories of eternity, how trifling will the labour seem, that has, through grace, procured us everlasting rest; for which the apostles toiled night and day, and the martyrs "loved not their lives unto death!"

These, my dear -, are my sentiments: would to God that my practice were more conformable to them than it is, that I might be less unworthy to advise and exhort others! But, I trust, that the persuasion I have of the truth of what is said above, (which every day's experience more and more confirms,) will influence my conduct in this particular, and make me more watchful in time to come. In the mean season, I can not forbear pressing the same upon you, as I should do with my dying breath; since upon the due proportioning and employing of our time, all our progress in grace and knowledge depends.

If there be any thing with regard to the choice or matter of your studies in which I can assist you, let me know, as you can have no doubt of my being, in all things,

Most affectionately yours,

GEORGE HORNE.

LETTERS OF CONGRATULATION.

Miss Robinson, (afterwards Mrs. Montagu,) to Mrs. Donnellan.-On the New Year.

DEAR MRS. DONNELLAN,

Bullstrode, Jan. 1, 1742.

THOUGH there is no day of the year in which one does not wish all happiness to one's friends, this

is the day in which the heart goes forth in parti. cular vows and wishes for the welfare of those we love. It is the birth of a new year, whose entrance we would salute, and hope auspicious. Nor is this particular mark of time of little use; it teaches us to number our days, which a wise man thought an incitement to the well spending of them. And indeed, did we consider how much the pleasure and profit of our lives depend upon the economy of our time, we should not waste it, as we do, in idle regret or reflection on the past, or in a vain, unuseful regard for the future. In our youth, we defer being prudent till we are old, and look for. ward to a promise of wisdom as the portion of latter years: when we are old, we seek not to improve, and we scarcely employ ourselves; we look back. ward to our youth, as to the day of our diligence, and take a pride in laziness, saying, we rest, as after the accomplishment of our undertakings. We ought to ask for our daily merit, as for our daily bread. The mind, no more than the body, can be sustained by the food taken yesterday, or promised for to-morrow. Every day ought to be con sidered as a period apart: some virtue should be exercised, some knowledge improved, some plea. sure comprehended, in it. Many look upon the present day as only the day before to-morrow, and wear it out with a weary impatience of its length. I pity those people who are ever in pursuit, but never in possession. I would wish myself as little anxious as possible about the future; for the event of things generally mocks our foresight, eludes our care, and shows us how vain is the labour of anxiety.

May the sun every day this year, when it rises, find you well with yourself: and, at its setting,