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~ Thomas CARLYLE, "wri.er OF books"
as he styled himself in his copyright memorial to
Parliament, wrote letter not long since to "A
Young man who desired his advice as to proper
choice of reading. The letter is published in
Chamberss Edinburgh Journal it's characters
tie of the writer


Mr.. CARLYLE says to his young correspondent
that long experience has taught him that ADVICE
oan profit but little; that there is good reason
why advice is so seldom followed; this reason,
namely, that it so seldom can be rightly given
No man knows the state of another (; 1t is always,
SAYS the philosopher, to some more or less imagn
ary man that the wisest and most honest adviser
is speaking.


As to choice of reading, MIR. Carlyle quotes
the saving Of Dr. JOHNSON; Read the book you
do honestly feel wish and curiosity to read. -
He quotes another saying; " Our wishes are pre-
sentiments of our capabilities "a noble saying,
he calls it, ofdeep encouragement to all true men.
He adds:


True desire, the monition Of nature, is much to
be attended to. But here also, you arc to dIscrmi
nate carefully between true desire and falsc.-
The medical men tell we should eat what we
truly have an appetite for; but what we only
fclsely have an appetite for should resolutely
avoid 1t is very true; and flmsy, desultory
readers, who fly from foolish hook to foolish hnok
and get good of none, and mischief ofall-are not
these as foolish, unhealthy CATERS who mistake
their superficial, false desire after spiceres and
coniecuonaries for their real appetite, of which
even they are not destitute, though it lies fu
deeper lar ouieter after solid nutritlve food D
With these illustrations | will recommend John.
sons advice to YOU


Historical reading Mr.. Carlyle recommends as
the basis of all study of books. 1t is there we are
to look for tho record of all things which men
have done.


In the concluding paragraph of this letter VIC
find one of those pregnant truths of duty which
break forth at many turns in Mr. Calyle's
writings. A plain simple tru,h--yet how often
overlooked 1t carries with it the elements Of
mastery over fortune, over all manner of worldly
adversties. To do with fidelity what truI,
belongs to ones vocation, brief formula which
suits all positions in life. Here is Mr.. Carlylc's
way of expressing it.


In conclusion, will remind you that it is no
W oo"No oip'iS, VI '''h' N'i''h 'hVs d ''''
becomes in all points man. Study TO do faith
fully whatsoever thing in your actu, situation,
then and now, you find either expressly or tacity
laid to your charge; that is your post stand IN II
like true soldier. Silently devour the many
chagrins of ii, as all human situations have many
and see you aim not to quit 1t without doing all
that it, at least, required ofyou. man prrfects
himself by work much more than by reading
They are growing kind of men that can wisely
combine the two lhings-wiscly, valiantly, can
do what 10 laid TO their hand in their present
sphere, and prepare themselves withal for doing
other wider things, if snch lie before them.