INTRODUCTION. IX 



twenty to their bed ; leaving fourteen to 

 occupations of business or pleasure. But, 

 supposing them to be reduced to seven or 

 eight, these two hours saved in each day — 

 being fourteen in every seven — are just an 

 entire day of additional occupation in the 

 week ; which, if summed up for a term of 

 threescore years, will amount to more than 

 eight years and a half of valuable time added 

 to our life ! 



We are all, more or less, the creatures 

 of habit ; but few persons are aware of its 

 value, nor how soon a sense of duty will 

 conduce to form that which may render 

 attention to the duties of life a pleasure 

 instead of a toil. When the plan, which is 

 here suggested, shall have been adopted 

 during a few consecutive weeks, — so as to 

 form a habit, — that which our readers may 

 at first start from as an uncalled for and 

 disagreeable innovation, will then, without 



