will scarcely be doubted. The flood of desultory nature, sweeps on like a deluge, and the mind, the bird of Noah, spreads a weary wing over the shoreless ocean, yet finds no resting-place The disposition to seek out the "chief seats at synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts," which flourishes under our free government, leads some to become authors, and teachers, who have need to learn.
It would be well if more attention were bestowed by parents, on the character of books which are put into the hands of children. Even the style of execution, the character of the type, paper and embellishments, are important; for the taste is earlier formed, than we are apt to imagine. As the education of the eye, is among the first efforts of instruction, it is a pity to vitiate it by evil models. A fair book, is a beautiful object to a child, and will be more careful served, and generally more attentively perused than if its exterior were repulsive.
Parents should always inform themselves, what books their children are reading. They should, if possible, first peruse them, and see whether they are calculated to impart wholesome nutriment, or stupefying anodyne, or deadly aconite. We cannot take it for granted, that because they have a book in their hand, their souls are safe. I was acquainted with a father and mother, who
