allowance for the indiscretions and the impulses of youth. Hence they are often disposed to consider as vices what are in fact merely foibles-foibles, too, which might readily be modified and amended, if not wholly cured. When, however, the habit of exaggeration and falsehood becomes so fixed that it forms a feature of character; when engagements are made, pecuniary or otherwise, without any intention of fulfilling them-the reputation soon becomes damaged to so serious an extent that it can never be redeemed or established.

Not a few individuals among the young indulge in the error, that by extravagance of speech, recklessness of sentiment, and insolence of manners, they make themselves important, and excite envy and astonishment. The mistake is a fearful one. The only feelings produced among the sensible and observing, are those of pity and contempt. If, in brief, a statement cannot be relied upon because of the known habit of the person who makes it to falsify and exaggerate, thereafter his career in life and society will be disreputable and downward, and at the most rapid rate. The beginnings of character cannot be too carefully attended to. Temptations beset the young on all sides. In the first place, they have to resist their own evil passions and weaknesses, as well as their inexperience; and, in the second, the evil associations with which society abounds, and the many allurements which pleasure and profligacy hold out. This is especially the case in great cities. The chief peril may be said to exist within the ages of eighteen and twenty-five. It is at that period that the character and the reputation are more fully developed

than at any other. The habits then become fixed, the tone of the mind settled, the disposition regulated. But if a false step be taken, and a false system be adopted, it will be difficult, nay, almost impossible, to recover it in after life.

Only a short time since a young man paid a visit to a neighbouring city, as well for relaxation as for pleasure. Before he left the place of his abode, his standing was in every way creditable. He had grown up under the eyes of watchful parents, had received a good education, possessed a fine mind, and was addicted to no vice. It so happened that, on the way, he formed an acquaintance with a dashing man of the world as he described himself, who, in fact, was nothing more than a polished sharper and gambler. The youth was led on from step to step until his funds were exhausted, and he was compelled to write home to his parents for a sufficient sum to pay his hotel bill and passage back. Meantime he had been seen in one of the streets of the city partially intoxicated. Fortunately he was recalled to a sense of propriety in time, but not before his character had received a shock, from the effects of which it took months of good conduct to recover. Naturally kind of heart and correct of deportment, he intended nothing of the kind, but was led on gradually by an evil associate! How many are ruined in a similar manner? How many forget the little proprieties of life, commit some excess, and then discover, to their mortification and shame, that they have disgraced themselves! The young cannot be too watchful. They cannot guard too vigilantly against bad habits and evil associations. They cannot be too careful to protect them

selves from the vice of falsehood. Character, to many of them, is all they possess; it is the only inheritance that has been left to them by their parents, and it should be cherished accordingly. No young man, who has a just sense of his own value, will trifle with his reputation. It should be as precious to him as the breath of his nostrils; but, like the down of the peach, or the fragrance of the rose, when once gone it can never be replaced. According to the poet, "All's well that ends well;" but there is seldom a good end that has not a good beginning.

INDUSTRY AND INTEGRITY.

THERE is nothing possible to man which industry and integrity will not accomplish. The poor boy of yesterday-so poor that a shilling was a miracle in his vision; houseless and breadless; compelled to wander on foot from village to village, with his bundle on his back, in order to procure labour and the means of subsistencehas become the talented young man to-day, by the power of his good right arm, and the potent influence of his pure principles, firmly and perpetually maintained. When poverty, and what the world calls disgrace, stared him in the face, he shuddered not, but pressed onward, and exulted in high and honourable exertions in the midst of accumulating disasters and calamities. Let the young man be cherished; for he honours his country, and dignifies his race. Wealth!-what cares he for that, as

long as his heart is pure, and his walk upright? He knows, and his country knows, and his country tells, that the little finger of an honest and upright young man is worth more than the whole body of an effeminate and dishonest rich man. These are the men who make the country-who bring to it whatever of iron sinew and unfailing spirit it possesses or desires.

STEADINESS OF PURPOSE.

1. IT overcomes difficulties-not with a rush and a shout, but one by one. They melt away before its incessant pressure, as icebergs before the steady radiance of the sun.

2. It gives one the strength of a happy conscience. A weathercock of a man, whiffing about with every breeze, cannot have true quietness of mind. Self-dissatisfaction worries and annoys him. But a cheerful vigour and energy grows out of an intelligent, unviolating purpose.

3. It gives dignity and honour to character. Men cannot but admire the mind that marches steadily on through sunshine and shade, calm and storm, smiles and frowns; glad of favour, but pressing on without it; thankful for aid, but fixed on advancing at all events: such men establish for themselves a character which cannot but be seen and honoured.

4. It gives success. In any enterprise which is not

downright madness, such a man must succeed. He has the chief element of triumph over every difficulty, and, if he is not an idiot, he will do something in the world. He will not reach his ends at a leap, but he will reach them. He moves not rapidly, but surely. When you want to find him by-and-by, you will know where to look. You will look at the topmost rounds of the ladder of success, and you will find him about there somewhere.

A WORD TO YOUNG MEN.

WISHING and sighing, imagining and dreaming of greatness, will not make you great. But cannot a young man command his energies? Read Foster on Decision of Character. That book will tell you what is in your power to accomplish. You must gird up your loins, and go to work with all the indomitable energy of Napoleon scaling the Alps. It is your duty to make the most of your time, talents, and opportunities. Alfred, king of England, though he performed more business than any of his subjects, always found time to study. Franklin, in the midst of his labours, had time to dive into the depths of philosophy, and explore an untrodden path of science. Frederick the Great, with an empire at his direction, in the midst of war, and on the eve of battle, found time to revel in the charms of philosophy, and feast on the luxuries of science. Napoleon, with Europe at his disposal, with kings in his antechamber, and at the