fLAN OP READING. 



# 



proofs which he employs to support them. Such reasonings, 

 as we have occasion frequently to apply, either in the busi- 

 ness of life, or in the course of our studies, it is of impor- 

 tance to us to commit to writing, in a language and in an 

 order of our own ; and if, at any time, we find it necessary 

 to refresh our recollection on the subject, to have recourse 

 to our own composition, in preference to that of any other 

 author. 



That the plan of reading, commonly followed, is very dif- 

 ferent from that which is here recommended, will not be 

 disputed. Most people read merely to pass an idle hour, or 

 to please themselves with the idea of employment, while 

 their indolence prevents them from any active exertion ; and 

 a considerable number with a view to the display which they 

 are afterwards to make of their literary acquisitions. From 

 whichsoever of these motives a person is led to the perusal 

 of books, it is hardly possible that he can derive from them 

 any material advantage. If he reads merely from indolence, 

 the ideas which pass through his mind will probably leave 

 little or no impression ; if he reads from vanity, he will be 

 more anxious to select striking particulars in the matter or 

 expression, than to seize the spirit and scope of the author's 

 reasoning, or to examine how far he has made any additions 

 to the stock of useful and solid knowledge. 



A proper selection of the particulars to be remembered is 

 necessary to enable us to profit by reading. When we first 

 enter on any new literary pursuit, we commonly find our ef- 

 forts of attention painful and unsatisfactory. We have no 

 discrimination in our curiosity, and by grasping at every 

 thing, we fail in making those moderate acquisitions which 

 are suited to our limited faculties. As our knowledge ex- 

 tends, we learn to know what particulars are likely to be of 

 use to us, and acquire a habit of directing our examinations 

 to these, without distracting the attention with others. It 

 is partly owing to a similar circumstance, that most readers 

 complain of a defect of memory, when they first enter on 

 the study of history. They cannot separate important from 

 trifling facts, and they find themselves unable to retain any 

 thing from their anxiety to secure the whole. 



In order to give a proper direction to our attention to the 

 course of our studies, it is useful before engaging in any par- 

 ticular pursuits to acquire as familiar an acquaintance as 



