474 FINISHING ADVICE. 



mind was become absorbed. Supposing the hole in 

 which, for the sake of a few days' good sport, he is 

 immured, contains neither books, nor newspapers ; nor 

 even stationery good enough to write a few letters in 

 comfort (which, by the way, he should always be enabled 

 to do, by carrying a quire of paper, and one of Clay's 

 new steel pens), still there is no excuse for his being 

 in sheer idleness. The mere pocket will always contain 

 enough to employ successfully many a leisure hour. If 

 he is studying any thing particular, he may be provided 

 with some little volume, the most useful to his subject. 

 If he draws, he may, at least, make a sketch of the hole 

 he is in, for a laugh when he gets home ; or, if in 

 another style, practise, according to his fancy. If he 

 is a " musician," and away from an instrument, let him 

 learn to do some exercises in harmony, for no man 

 should be called a musician till he does know harmony. 

 If he is an author or a poet, he can never be at a loss : 

 or, if nothing greater, perhaps he may be a merry fellow, 

 who sings a good song over his bottle, and therefore, on 

 this occasion, by being provided with a " Pocket Nightin- 

 gale," he may stock himself with songs enough to enliven 

 all his associates on his return. If he is a dry fellow, 

 an enemy to the Muses, and an admirer of only that 

 which is tangible, he may in his retreat con over his 

 pounds, shillings, and pence ; and be amused with 

 sketching his affairs, and thinking of what will be most 

 to his advantage. But if he is an idler, destitute of 

 all resources why I will not say " Lord help him !" 

 but let him help himself. Let me advise him to 

 embrace, in this day, a moment for reflection, and con- 

 sider it as an example, perhaps of many hours and 



