and the more it makes one think, and the higher the themes it precipitates on the mind, the better are its qualifications. But the highest purport of a book is its practical usefulness, the degree with which it inspires one's conduct, makes one resolute to follow what is good and noble. These characteristics indicate whether a book is adapted to an individual, whether it is in one's special line of reading.

Next to knowing what to read, the important question is HOW TO READ. "First, before you peruse a book, know something about the author." This insures one's interest from the beginning, as one is always more interested in a person's thoughts, with whom one has some acquaintance, than with a stranger's. A biographical notice of the writer introduces one to him; a knowledge of his life, his character, and the circumstances amid which the book was composed enable one to read his works much more intelligently. Next, "Read the preface carefully." The reading of the preface is the truest test of an accomplished reader; therein are found the author's motives for writing the book, and we have a foretaste of the volume itself; the preface is the appetizer of the book. Now, "take a comprehensive survey of the table of contents." If the preface is the appetizer, the table of contents is the bill of fare. It is like the map of a journey

showing us through what tracts our way lies, and to what destinations it will lead us. Another important direction is, "Give your whole attention to whatever you read." The man who has thoroughly comprehended even one great book, who has analyzed its characters, scaled its highest thoughts, felt its deepest pathos, would be a formidable antagonist to a man of many books, who, however, had skimmed through them carelessly and inattentively. The next point in manner of reading is "Be sure to note the most valuable passages as you read." All accomplished readers keep a notebook at hand and jot down briefly any facts, arguments or sentences that strike them. Without taking notes one cannot be an intelligent reader, for how can one be intelligent without discriminating, and if one discriminates one distinguishes, and one cannot distinguish without affixing some distinctive mark. All great scholars have been great note takers, and have proved themselves in reading as in other things, men of MARK. The last two injunctions are, "Write out in your own language a summary of the facts you have noticed" and "Apply the results of your own reading to your everyday life." Repetition in composition, by using one's own arrangement and phraseology, fixes the thought of a book much more securely in one's mind, and gives one mastery of a subject

more completely than any other method. If one cannot write a summary, one should speak it; try to communicate a clear and correct account of it to another. This habit is one of the reasons why some men appear to have wonderful memories. Whatever they hear or read they tell to everyone they meet, and thus it never leaves their minds. If you will neither write it nor relate it to another, then at least digest it by going over it in your mind; that is indispensable. The last rule, "Apply the results of your reading to your everyday duties," should need no elucidation. While one is reading, one is using the minds of the authors; they support the reader's mind, and carry it along, making it go through all their own processes. This develops mental energy, but if nothing else is done, he will remain a mere infant in intellect. He must think for himself; he must imitate their manner of thinking; he must apply to his everyday duties those qualifications which have made the author so great. After his intercourse with the great souls of the past he must prove himself to be clearer in head, larger in heart, and nobler in action. This is the great end achieved by books. If they only make a man a book worm, they are little better than waste paper.

Some may find these directions too arduous, and may not wish to bother with reading bio

graphies and prefaces, making notes and summaries. To these, Pryde says: "You have just two alternatives between which to choose. If you are lazy and listless, if you have no desire to become wiser and better-if in other words, you are dolts and simpletons, then you will continue to doze and dream over whatever books come to hand, and will remain ignorant forevermore. But if you are active and earnest if you wish to succeed in life-if you covet the title of rational beings-if you have the sense to appreciate good advice and the resolution to carry it out, then you will read according to a well-defined and rigid method."

Acknowledgment is made to David Pryde's "Highways of Literature" for the directions in this chapter on "How to Read."

XII

MANNERS

A CODE of etiquette may refine the manners, but the "heart of courtesy " which stamps the natural gentleman comes through instinct. Happy is the child, and happy the man who has the gift of a heart so gentle by nature and so considerate, whose manners have such inborn grace, that little or no training is required to fit him for harmonious intercourse with his fellow-man. This type of man is rare; the average man requires much training before his politeness becomes at all instinctive. The earlier in life attention is bestowed on manners, the less difficulty is there in establishing that unfailing good breeding and polish which mark the perfect gentleman.

Some persons are averse to the acquirement of fine manners, fearing that it means an adoption of much ceremony, and a sacrifice of sincerity and simplicity. If one is good-natured, that prevents artifice,-if one is truly indulgent, no violation of sincerity is necessary.

The absence of a fixed aristocracy or reigning set, the influx of emigrants, the constant changes of fortune in the families of this coun