head of thousands of men, whose destinies were suspended on his arbitrary pleasure, found time to converse with books. And young men who are confined to labour or business, even twelve hours a day, may take an hour and a half of what is left for study, and which will amount to two months in the course of a year.

HABITS OF A MAN OF BUSINESS.

A SACRED regard to the principles of justice forms the basis of every transaction, and regulates the conduct of the upright man of business.

He is strict in keeping his engagements.
Does nothing carelessly, or in a hurry.

Employs nobody to do what he can easily do himself.
Keeps every thing in its proper place.

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

Keeps his designs and business from the view of others. Is prompt and decisive with his customers, and does not overtrade his capital.

Prefers short credits to long ones; and cash to credit at all times, either in buying or selling; and small profits in credit cases with little risk, to the chance of better gains with more hazard.

He is clear and explicit in all his bargains.

Leaves nothing of consequence to memory which he can and ought to commit to writing.

Keeps copies of all his important letters which he sends away, and has every letter, invoice, &c., belonging to his business, titled, clasped, and put away.

Never suffers his desk to be confused by many papers lying upon it.

Is always at the head of his business, well knowing that, if he leaves it, it will leave him.

Holds as a maxim that he whose credit is suspected is not one to be trusted.

Is constantly examining his books, and sees through all his affairs as far as care and attention will enable him.

Balances regularly at stated times, and then makes out and transmits all his accounts-current to his customers, both at home and abroad.

Avoids as much as possible all sorts of accommodation in money matters and lawsuits where there is the least hazard.

He is economical in his expenditure, always living within his income.

Keeps a memorandum-book in his pocket, in which he notes every particular relative to appointments, addresses, and petty cash matters.

Is cautious how he becomes security for any person; and is generous when urged by motives of humanity.

Let a man act strictly to these habits; when once begun, they will be easy to continue in, and success will attend his efforts.

Take pleasure in your business, and it will become your recreation.

Hope for the best, think for the worst, and bear whatever happens.

IMPORTANCE OF TRIFLES.

Look around the circle of your acquaintance, and do you observe that those who bear the character of carelessness have neither acquired wealth by their exertions, fame by their industry, or a reputation by their judgment. Is not every man of sound sense the very reverse of a trifler? is not he who excels in any kind of labour attentive to the minutest matter connected with that labour? and is not every architect of his own fortune found to be a careful man? We scarcely need to observe, that a disregard of trifles clearly betrays a want of frugality. Many a fortune has been lost, and many persons have been prevented from making a fortune, by a disregard of trifles. That "pence make pounds," and that, "if we take care of our pence our pounds will take care of themselves," are true sayings. There are some who have desired to save a portion annually from their incomes, but have delayed doing so from one year to another, in the expectation of being able at a future period to commence their savings with a larger sum. At last old age presents himself, and they discover themselves to be destitute of means for the hour of adversity, and that the annual payments of their formerly despised sum would now amount to a considerable fortune. There are many such in the world. Now, no man will ever amass wealth who disregards the smallest item. If we had sufficient courage, we would dare to address a few remarks upon this point to those young ladies who wear

their shoes in wet or cold weather, and bring on colds and consumption; who spoil a new dress once a month, and sacrifice twice the necessary materials in their needlework, crotchet, &c., and call all this with a toss of the head " mere trifles."

We would press the foregoing remarks upon the attention of young persons especially. Youth is the period when the seed of our after-life is sown. It then becomes important that no tares should be mixed with the wheat -that no habits should be imbibed which will inflict us with future pain. One false step amid the precipices of life may destroy us; one good resolution, fervently embraced and rigidly adhered to, may rescue us from many difficulties.

A friend called on Michael Angelo, who was finishing a statue; some time afterwards he called again; the sculptor was still at his work; his friend, looking at the figure, exclaimed, "You have been idle since I last saw you." "By no means," replied the sculptor, "I have retouched this part, polished that; I have softened this feature, and brought out this muscle; I have given more expression to this lip, and more energy to this limb.” "Well, well," observed his friend, "but all these are trifles." "It may be so," replied Angelo; "but recollect that trifles make perfection, and that perfection itself is no trifle."

HOW TO PROSPER IN BUSINESS.

IN the first place, make up your mind to accomplish whatever you undertake; decide upon some particular employment; persevere in it. All difficulties are overcome by diligence and assiduity.

Be not afraid to work with your own hands, and diligently too. "A cat in gloves catches no mice." "He who remains in the mill grinds, not he who goes and comes."

Attend to your business, and never trust it to another. "A pot that belongs to many is ill stirred and worse boiled."

Be frugal.

"That which will not make a pot will make a pot lid.”

"Save the pence, and the pounds will take care of themselves."

Be abstemious. "Who dainties love, shall beggars prove."

Rise Early. "The sleeping fox catches no poultry." "Plough deep while sluggards sleep, and you will have corn to sell and keep."

"Good

Treat every one with respect and civility. "Every thing is gained, and nothing lost, by courtesy." manners insure success."

Never anticipate wealth from any other course than labour; especially never place dependence upon becoming the possessor of an inheritance. "He who runs

after a shadow has a wearisome race."