MINISTER'S BOY. 281 



effect of their admonitions on his subsequent be- 

 haviour. 



The above observations, the author is persuaded, 

 will not be judged unworthy either of a place or of 

 persual, when the frequency of their use and the 

 importance of their objects are duly considered ; 

 and though they are merely superficial and of the 

 readiest occurence to all, yet the fact is, that no 

 one cares for adverting to them, till the circum- 

 stances which call them forth prove that they 

 ought to have been known before, and till the mis- 

 chiefs which such observations might have preven- 

 ted stand in the room of those advantages which 

 the earlier application of them might have secured. 



Next to the means of improving the boy, a few 

 things might be said to the effect of rendering his 

 work sufficient so far as it goes. It is a fact, that 

 being well disposed, he will, by a few lessons rightly 

 given, be perfectly fit for all plain garden work 

 without further superintendence ; whilst at nicer 

 jobs, under your own eye, his nimble and willing 

 hands will afford sufficient help, and add pleasure 

 to your occupation. But then it is as true that 

 the simplest things, without suitable directions, 

 will be entirely bungled. Thus, if weeding be 

 ordered, the result will be more of the nature of 

 grazing than of extirpation; or if a piece of digging 

 be required, the spade will be set at such an angle 

 as suits the work of a shovel, and the surface will 

 present a series of undulations, which on a large 

 scale are beautiful in the lawn, but not in their 



