He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker.

An honest man's the noblest work of God.

HABITS OF A MAN OF BUSINESS.

SACRED regard to the principles of justice ought to form the basis of every commercial transaction, and regulate the conduct of the upright man of business.

He is strict in keeping his engagements.

He does nothing carelessly, or in a hurry.
He employs no person to do for him what he can
do for himself.

He keeps everything in its proper place, and does
everything at its proper time.

He leaves nothing undone that ought to be done, and which circumstances permit him to do.

He keeps his designs and business from the knowledge of others.

He is prompt, decisive, civil and obliging to his

customers.

He does not overtrade his capital.

He prefers cash to credit; but if credit is necessary, as short a time as possible.

He prefers small profits and certain returns to
large profits and uncertain settlements.

He is clear and explicit in making a bargain.
He leaves nothing of consequence to memory which
he can commit to writing.

Civilities cost nothing.

A tale-bearer revealeth secrets.

He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness.

In all labour there is profit.

He keeps copies of all important letters written by
him, and carefully preserves all which he receives.
He is methodical in his habits and arrangements.
He is always at the head of his business.

He holds it as an axiom, that he whose credit is
doubted should not be trusted.

He constantly examines his books, and sees that they are properly kept.

He makes a balance of the true state of his affairs at regular intervals.

He avoids lawsuits and accommodation bills.

He is economical in his expenditure, and lives
within his income.

He is cautious in becoming security for any person.
He is generous, but not until he has been just.

Let a man of business conform strictly to these
habits; when once formed they are easily retained,
and success will result from their practice.

Let him take pleasure in his business, and it will become a recreation to him.

Let him hope for the best, be prepared for the worst, and bear resolutely whatever happens.

REAL glory

Springs from the silent conquest of ourselves,
And without that the conqueror is not
But the first slave.

Be not above thy business.

He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding.

The heart of man is deceitful above all things.

Poverty and shame shall be to him

THE DECEIT OF THE HEART.

PICTETUS tells us of a gentleman returning from banishment, who, in his journey towards home, called at his house, told a sad story of an imprudent life, the greatest part of which being now spent, he was resolved for the future to live philosophically and entertain no business, to be candidate for no employment, not to go to the court, not to salute Cæsar with ambitious attendances, but to study, and worship the gods, and die willingly when nature and necessity called him. It may be this man believed himself, but Epictetus did not; and he had reason. Letters from Cæsar met him at the doors, and invited him to court; and he forgot all his promises which were warm upon his lips, and grew pompous, secular, and ambitious, and gave the gods thanks for his preferment. Thus many men leave the world when their fortune hath left them; and they are severe and philosophical, and retired for ever, if for ever it be impossible to return. But let a prosperous sunshine warm and refresh their sadnesses, and make it but possible to break their purposes, and there needs no more temptation; their own false heart is enough; they are like Ephraim in the day of battle, starting aside like a broken bough.

The heart is false, deceiving and deceived, in its

That refuseth instruction.

When pride cometh, then cometh shame.

A fool is full of words.

Pride is a hurtful worm

intentions and designs. A man hears the precepts of
God enjoining us to give alms of all we possess; he
readily obeys with much cheerfulness and alacrity, and
his charity, like a fair-spreading tree, looks beauteously.
But there is a canker at the heart; the man blows a
trumpet to call the poor together, and hopes the
neighbourhood will take notice of his bounty. Nay,
he gives alms privately, and charges no man to speak
of it, and yet hopes by some accident or other to be
praised both for his charity and humility. And if,
by chance, the fame of his alms come abroad, it is
but his duty to "let his light so shine before men"
that God may be glorified. JEREMY TAYLOR.

YOUTHFUL ENERGY.

OW precious a thing is youthful energy, if only it could be preserved entirely englobed as it were within the bosom of the young adventurer, till he can come and offer it forth a sacred emanation in yonder temple of truth and virtue; but, alas! all along as he goes towards it, he advances through an avenue formed by a long line of tempters and demons on each side, all prompt to touch him with their conductors, and draw this divine electric element with which he is charged, away. JOHN FOSTER.

At the root of humility.

Violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.

Our own smoke is better than the fire of others.

He that bears, overcomes.

How Cobbett Learned Grammar.

LEARNED grammar when I was a private soldier, on the pay of sixpence a day. The edge of my berth, or that of my guard-bed, was my seat to study in; my knapsack was my bookcase; a bit of board, lying on my lap,

was my writing-table; and the task did not demand anything like a year of my life. I had no money to purchase candle or oil; in winter time it was rarely that I could get any evening light but that of the fire, and only my turn even of that. And if I, under such circumstances, and without parent or friend to advise or encourage me, accomplished this undertaking, what excuse can there be for any youth, however poor, however pressed with business, or however circumstanced as to room or other conveniences? To buy a pen or a sheet of paper I was compelled to forego some portion of food, though in a state of half-starvation. I had no moment of time that I could call my own; and I had to read and to write amidst the talking, laughing, singing, whistling, and brawling of at least half a score of the most thoughtless of men, and that, too, in the hours of their freedom from all control. Think not lightly of the farthing that I had to give, now and then, for pen, ink, or paper! That farthing was, alas! a great sum to

A willing mind makes light work.

Self-reliance is a good staff.