Having given in my previous numbers, all the instruction which I consider essential, whether to facilitate the acquisition of a practical knowledge of short hand, or to render the art useful when acquired-and having laid down the necessary rules for a convenient and systematic common-place book, it still remains for me, to exemplify the scheme, by some more practical illustrations.

I therefore proceed, in the first place, to introduce a few maxims, distinguishing each particular subject by its appropriate marginal word. At the end of these marginal words are placed their characteristic key letters, showing the particular section of the index table, in which is to be entered the page or pages embracing the subject matter-viz.

Abstinence, A. i. is on page 97-then in section A. i. of the table, write 97.

Time, T. i. is on the 98th page-of course 98 should be written in section T. i.

Method, M. e. is on the 99th page-this page then, is to be entered in section M. e.; and so of all other subjects; allowing, however, suitable blank space, for the future introduction of subjects belonging to the respective classes, as heretofore explained.

Abstinence. A. i.

Books. B. o.

SELECTIONS.

To set the mind above the appetites is the end of abstinence; which one of the fathers observes to be, not a virtue, but the ground work of virtue. By forbearing to do what may innocently be done, we may add hourly new vigour to resolution, and secure the power of resistance when pleasure or interest shall lend their charms to guilt.

Idler, vol. 1.

"Books," says Bacon, "can never teach the use of books." The student must learn by commerce with mankind, to reduce his speculations to practice, and accommodate his knowledge to the purposes of life. Rambler, vol. 3.

I

Time. T. i.

Courage. C. o.

Association. A. o.

The story of Melancthon affords a striking lecture on the value of time, which was, that, whenever he made an appointment, he expected not only the hour, but the minute to be fixed, that the day might not run out in idleness or suspense.

When we have deducted all that is absorbed in sleep, all that is inevitably appropriated to the demands of nature, or irresist. ably engrossed by the tyranny of custom; all that passes in regulating the superficial decorations of life, or is given up in the reciprocations of civility to the disposal of others; all that is torn from us by the violence of disease, or stolen imperceptibly away by lassitude or languor; we shall find that part of our duration very small, of which we can truly call ourselves masters, or which we can spend wholly at our own choice.

Life is continually ravaged by invaders; one steals away an hour, another a day; one conceals the robbery by hurrying into business; another by lulling us with amusement: the depredation is continued through a thousand vicissitudes of tumult and tranquillity, till, having lost all, we can lose no more.

Johnson.

Courage consists not in hazarding without fear, but being resolutely-minded in a just cause."--Plutarch.

True courage is always derived from virtue, and honour from integrity; but when the first is accompanied by prudence, it is then truly a virtue. A stronger instance cannot be given of it, than in the conduct of the great Washington, during the arduous conflict of our independence. Had it not been for that virtue, which he so eminently possessed, supported by the valour of his worthy compatriots, this country, instead of having been enrolled in the book of fame, and being now accounted one among the great and polished nations of the earth, would have sunk into a lower state of degradation, than it was in before the contest, and probably would still be groaning under the tyranny of Great Britain.

If you desire to be magnanimous, undertake nothing rashly, and fear nothing you undertake; fear nothing but infamy, dare anything but injury.

The measure of magnanimity, or true courage, which is the essential character of a soldier, is not a savage, ferocious violence-not a fool-hardy insensibility to danger, or headstrong rashness to run into it; nor the fury of inflamed passions-but a calm, deliberate, rational courage; a steady, judicious, thoughtful fortitude."

Association, union, confederacy, partnership, connection.-By associating together, men are much improved both in temper and understanding. Where they live separate, they are generally sullen and selfish, as well as ignorant-when they meet frequently, they become acquainted with one another's characters and circumstances, and take an interest in them, acquire more extensive notions, and learn to correct their opinions, and get the better of their prejudices: they become, in short, more humane, more generous, and more intelligent.

Beattie on Moral Science.

1

Misery. M. i.

Bustling. B. u.

Biography. B. i.

Method. M.e.

The necessity of complying with times, and of sparing persons, is the great impediment of biography. History may be formed from permanent monuments and records, but lives can only be written from personal knowledge, which is growing every day less, and in a short time is lost for ever. What is known can seldom be immediately told, and when it might be told, is no longer known.

Life of Addison, by Johnson.

There is a kind of men who may be classed under the name of bustlers, whose business keeps them in perpetual motion, yet whose motion always eludes their business; who are always to do what they never do; who cannot stand still because they are wanted in another place, and who are wanted in many places because they can stay in none.

Idler, by Johnson.

If misery be the effect of virtue, it ought to be reverenced; if of ill fortune, it ought to be pitied; and if of vice, not to be insulted; because it is, perhaps, itself a punishment adequate to the crime by which it was produced; and the humanity of that man can deserve no panegyric, who is capable of reproaching a criminal in the hands of the executioner.

Life of Savage, by Johnson.

As the end of method is perspicuity, that series is sufficiently regular, that avoids obscurity; and where there is no obscurity, it will not be difficult to discover method.

Life of Pope, by Johnson.

In searching for an appropriate subject, upon which to exercise my ingenuity in condensing, classifying, and common-placing, I fortunately opened to an abstract of the Constitutions of the United States, and have been permitted, through the politeness of the publishers, to extract from the "ENCYCLOPÆDIA AMERICANA," the entire article. See Vol. III. page 476.*

In the following example is given, the sum and

* I take peculiar pleasure in recommending to the patronage of my subscribers, and the American public generally, the entire series of that invaluable work, now publishing, in quarterly numbers, periodically, by Messrs. Carey and Lea, of Philadelphia. Although the work is far above the need of commendation, I may, at least in this place, be permitted to state, that the following abstract is charac. teristic of the manner in which the learned and indefatigable editors treat upon most subjects within the great circle of human knowledge.