parties residing at the intermediate stations, do not fail to do so; it will tend to break the monotony of your journey, and may possibly lead to acquaintanceship which, in after-life, you will be anxious to improve. Parties residing in the interior are seldom found wanting in hospitality; and I have known many instances of such casual introductions resulting in friendships which have been of the highest benefit to the young officer. But then you must endeavour to please.

The great secret of the pleasures we frequently experience in society is, the uncommon powers of conversation some one of the party possesses, which renders him not only agreeable and entertaining, but tends to put the whole company into good humour, and certainly promotes that kind and social feeling which should always exist in private circles.

This power of conversation may be very materially improved by care and attention; in fact, you should make it a study, and consider it a necessary accomplishment. It is astonishing the effect it will have on the circles in which you move; and by it you will have the power of doing an infinity of good. In whatever society you may be placed, you should always endeavour to elicit facts and information; and it is your duty, in turn, to benefit that society, by affording them an opportunity to gather from your stores. By flat and trivial conversation you expose your own igno

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rance, and disgust every sensible man present; and, perhaps, draw upon you some severe sarcasm or reproof, which you will justly merit. Let your conversation always tend to some useful end. Many a man is tolerated at times for his small talk;" but it is only for a time,—the instant a man of thought and reflection chooses to clothe his ideas in language, the other sinks into utter insignificance; and ever bear in mind that to hear patiently, and answer precisely, are the great perfections of conversation.

Mankind in general have an unfortunate propensity to scandal. We must, in charity to the world, think the generality of people do not rightly know, or at least do not duly consider, what an extensive and irreparable mischief they do, when they slander any one, more especially any useful and reputable person, raising or rehearsing false reports of him; otherwise, surely so very base and heinous a crime could not be so frequently practised, and so little lamented. It is no proof of wisdom, of courage, or of Christianity, to throw out even hints which may injure another, or prejudice the circle in which he moves against him. Slander shoots poisoned arrows against a man's most valued enjoyment-his reputation! A man's good name is many times his livelihood, and by blasting this, you rob his family of their bread; and, therefore, our laws in this case allow any tradesman considerable damages, if he be mali

ciously aspersed. And the higher the station of the person is, so much the more heinous is the offence, and the more advanced the damages. The best of the heathens had always the tenderest sense of any injury done to their name. The great M. T. Cicero says, "That none but people of the most base spirits, and the most flagitious and profligate lives, could be negligent of their reputation." He who is accustomed to speak ill of others, may rest assured that although he will find many to join in the venomous and cowardly attack, yet he will sink not only in the estimation of the noble and the generous, but his companions will very naturally conclude in their absence the same liberty will be taken with them, and will think it all fair to do the same by him. On the other hand, do not get into the habit of flattering your friends or acquaintances-casual remarks on the merit of any particular praiseworthy action is not flattery-but the fulsome unmeaning praise in which some men indulge in the presence of their dupes, is disgusting in the extreme; and if your friend is a sensible man, he will only despise you for the motive which he will be aware actuates you; viz., a wish to be paid in the same coin. There is an old saying, "Wherever there is flattery there is a fool or knave in the case."

Do not join in conversation with those who treat God, or any of his ordinances, with levity or irreverence-depend upon it, the man who betrays

such ingratitude towards his Maker and best friend, and such a want of sound intellect and true wisdom, would not scruple to ruin your character or that of any other person if he could gain anything by it. He who countenances immoral and coarse language, by laughing and listening to its jests, &c., is but one degree removed from the scoffer himself. Common swearing, I am happy to say, is now completely out of fashion; an oath is seldom heard among people styling themselves "gentle." In fact, it is now truly considered "neither brave, polite, nor wise." Talk as little of yourself or your own deeds as possible. Mason has some very good rules in regard to conversation. He bids you avoid that company from which you can receive no improvement, or which will not afford you rational entertainment. Study the character of your company: if they are your superiors, ask them questions, and be an attentive hearer; if your inferiors, try to do them good. When the conversation flags, revive it by some general subject that all can speak on. Every body will feel obliged, when you break a dead silence; even a common remark may lead to an animated and entertaining discussion. Be an attentive listener to parties who are evidently masters of their subject; by hearing the different sides, you may afterwards speak on it with advantage yourself. Be careful not to animadvert too freely on the foibles or mistakes of others, or you may have

your own not very pleasantly commented upon. Do not affect to shine in company. Be free and easy, without being impertinent or rude; much valuable thought is drawn out by trying to make all feel at their ease. Never lose your temper in company;-if you are so unfortunate as to get into a discussion with a boisterous, passionate antagonist, keep yourself cool: it is cold steel that cuts, and you will soon have the best of the argument; but, if you are aware of your opponent being a quarrelsome person, your wisest plan is to drop the argument at once;-if you thrust your hand into a wasp's nest, you will of course get stung. The gift of language is one of the greatest blessings to mankind, but its instrument, the tongue, cannot be too skilfully used. It is an engine for good or evil. St. James, in his General Epistle, in the 3rd chapter, calls it "an unruly member," "full of deadly poison;" and so it is, but, if wielded aright, it bestows a blessing instead of a curse. The 15th Psalm, 3rd chapter St. James, and 13th of St. Paul's Epistle to the Corinthians, should be learned and studied by every young man entering life.

I shall close these hints on conversation in the Rev. Mr. Todd's own words, in his "Guide to Students," which are equally as applicable to the soldier as the student. "With a cultivated mind, with a fund of ready knowledge, and with manners and habits that make him welcome wherever