epigram no longer serves instead of an argument, and a polished lie for a homely truth. While of course it is possible to enumerate our poets and leading minds, yet the numbers of admirable writers in every department of literature is now so great, that any thing like critical analysis, however rapid, is beyond the range of a work like this. A reading public makes a demand so vast and continuous, that it has caused a supply unprecedented. The press of our time is as great a marvel as the railroad or the electric telegraph. One cause that has contributed to this appetite for information has been the establishment of popular associated institutions, town libraries, reading and book societies for literary intercourse and improvement. In all former times institutions of a literary or scientific character were meant for the very few, not for the many. Even public libraries were restricted as much in their readers as in their contents. The diffusive form that intelligence assumed, when periodical literature became established in the land, was favourable to the rise and progress of collateral and associated plans for diffusing knowledge. Literary and scientific institutions, intended for the educated classes, but without the restrictions adopted by learned societies, began to prevail early in the present century. To these were added, in process of time, Mechanics' Institutions. Dr. Birkbeck, who D D founded one in Glasgow (1800), finding it worked well, determined, in 1824, to establish a similar institution in London, and, aided by Lord Brougham and others, succeeded. This plan was imitated throughout the kingdom, until now in most towns, and even in many villages, there are associations of a similar character, or at all events libraries and book societies. Never was the principle of association more excellently employed, as to secular things, than in thus enabling all classes to partake in the benefits of knowledge. It is true these institutions have not accomplished all they designed for the class they more especially hoped to benefit, but that very great good has been done no one can deny. And what they have effected for a class whose preliminary education fitted them to enjoy the benefits afforded, certainly points to the conclusion that elementary instruction of the poorest should be promoted. The circumstance that our literature is now so extensively contributed to by female writers, has done much to increase the educational opportunities of women generally, and to stimulate a desire for knowledge, and a sense of the duty of self-culture. While the duties of women, as to the demands of domestic life, are the same as ever, and are neither to be neglected nor superseded, it has been found that a well-stored mind does not unfit for those duties, but gives a higher idea of their importance; and therefore many old prejudices that condemned women to ignorance have passed away. They are generally admitted to the privileges of popular institutions for the diffusion of knowledge, on equal or even more favourable terms than persons of the opposite sex. So that now it has certainly come to pass that knowledge is free to all, at least as to acquisition. The danger now is that these privileges will be neglected or misused. Young people roam in libraries and read at every opportunity; but they too often neglect all system in their reading, and therefore are not much the wiser after all. No person could in print, without a charge of obtrusive invidiousness, point out the authors it would be well for young persons to read carefully and systematically; but the departments of knowledge on which information should be gained might be easily referred to. Theology, morals, science, history, biography, travels, occasionally enlivened by the highest and loveliest efforts of the imagination, would comprise a plan of reading that could not fail to store the mind with correct principles and general knowledge. It is a good rule whenever a sterling book of established reputation is begun, to go right through with it. Cursory, snip-snap reading is the vice of this rapid, hurrying age. A good appetite without a good digestion would soon bring the physical system into disorder; and it is so extensively with the mind. We are, perhaps, gratified by that which we only taste, but we are nourished only by that which we digest. We should never lose sight of the object we have in view in our reading-improvement. We may seek this object in many different ways, as taste and opportunity direct, but we must, if we are just to ourselves, never fail to seek it. "What am I the better for having read this book?" should be as frequent a question as "Am I pleased with it?" What has it told me that I did not know before? what thought has it suggested? what virtue has it strengthened? what fault corrected? Those who read with this self-examining spirit must read to profit. The pages here brought to a close have not only attempted to trace the course of the stream of literature, but have aimed at guiding the reader, the young reader especially, to its deep still waters, and its green and flowery banks. No one looking on a guide-book, would be careless of the places it described; but would use it as an indicator of what, but for it, might not have been noted, or have been passed over with transitory interest. THE END. 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