the association is appointed "editor;" his duties being to collect a small sum from each of the members towards defraying the expenses (for paper, &c.), and to prepare the sheets for the magazine, monthly or weekly as the case may be, by stitching together a quire or two of foolscap. Sometimes the ordinary exercise-books in use in the school are employed for the purpose, two or more being sown together. The editor then, being himself generally the cleverest at composition, writes an article first, either a short essay, or review of some book or play he has lately read, or a copy of Latin or English verse, or translation from some classical author, or a short story with moral, &c., and then gives the magazine to the next in order, who also writes something, and then gives it to the next, and so on till the magazine is completed. Arrangements are previously made by the editor, who keeps a list of those who have promised to contribute, that no two members should write on the same subject, unless, as oc avoided including such works in my list. "A Law Student" complains that the former list of works is too theological; I would remind him that theology is a school for the head as well as the heart. Coleridge has said, "Intense study of the Bible will keep any man from being vulgar in point of style;" and on another occasion he declared that he would recommend an advocate to employ part of his leisure time in the study of "the metaphysics of theology." Archbishop Whately, when urging the student of logic to practise himself by analyzing argumentative works, recommends Butler's Analogy, Chilling worth's Religion of Protestants, Paley's Hora Pauling, and other (chiefly theological) works, as affording the best specimens of true reasoning. Chief Justice Mansheld speaks of Chillingworth as " a model of argumentation;" Locke proposed the "study of Chillingworth for the attainment of perspicuity and right reasoning;" and Mr. Warren, in his work on law studies, after directing the student to adopt Locke's suggestion, and sketch-casionally happens, the object be a comparison of ing out a plan for that purpose, speaks thus, "The toil will be severe at first, but the profit, if you persevere for months, (!) will be immense." I would advise "A Law Student" to add to the theological list of L., this work of Chillingworth. I purposely omit any list of books in law." If "A Law Student" has already commenced his law studies, he must know that it is impossible for any one to advise him on this point within the limits of the "Inquirer," unless his past studies and his future intentions were known. The list of law books is interminable, and every professional student must be guided in his selection by the circumstances of his own case. I might advise him to spend some hundreds of pounds in books necessary in other branches of the profession, but useless to him. Let him follow the advice of L, and carefully study Mr. Warren's Introduction to Law Studies." In conclusion, may I offer a friendly warning? Let "A Law Student" beware of attempting too much. Not many are physically able to devote at least eight hours a day to close and continuous study." Too many imagine that mere reading is study: nothing can be more erroneous. The works in the foregoing list may be read in a comparatively short time-to study them will require years of regular and systematic labour. Nothing weakens every faculty of the mind as much as extensive reading without reflection." (Dugald Stewart.) Read and ponder over the chapters on "Study and "Reading" in Todd's Student's Guide, Bacon's Essay, "Of Studies," and Stewart's Philosophy of the Mind, part ii. chap. 6. sect. 5.B. S. C. W., Jun., begs to inform "A Law Student" | that prolonged absence from home has prevented his complying with the complimentary request contained in the March number of this magazine. Immediately on his return the matter shall have attention. In the meantime "A Law Student" may find it beneficial to reperuse some of the books with which he is already acquainted, and commence keeping a registry of what he reads, if he has not already done so. the views of the different pupils upon one subject, as upon a book they have all lately read. When finished the magazine is circulated once more among all the members of the association, and thus each has an opportunity of measuring his own powers by these of his fellows. It is certainly an admirable plan for training in composition, as well as for removing that self-conceit which young writers so generally entertain: and I am surprised that it is not more generally encouraged by schoolmasters, in lieu of the dry, formal essays upon a given sub ect required of the boys, the only sensible parts of which are usually copied from some old magazine or review. I have not heard of manuscript magazines being kept anywhere but in schools, but I have no doubt that very considerable benefit would result where a great number of acquaintances, residing within a small circuit, so that there should be no trouble or loss of time in passing the magazine from one to ano her, should club together for such an object. Periodical meetings might be held for arranging and classifying the contributors, and discussing and criticizing the contributions. Thus if, in a large tactory, all the working people that could write, would write for such an object, what immense benefit to their intellectual and social condition would probably result. The editor, in such a case, it is needless to observe, should be a person of mature judgment, and great tact and discrimination; and theology and politi s, I think, should be rigorously excluded from such magazine -F. J. L. Manuscript magazines are chiefly got up by, and circulated amongst, the members of mutual improvement societies. A member, generally the secretary, acts as editor. He supplies the other members with paper of a uniform size and colour, or they purchase it. Such of the members as choose write short original articles. These are handed to the editor, who arranges and gets them stitched up, or bound. The magazine is then circulated amongst the members by ballot or rotation. The editor is usually expected to write an article for the magazine, and to provide a 152. Manuscript Magazines -It is customary supplementary part, containing an account of in some schools for the more advanced pupils to the most notable occurrences in the society and keep up a manuscript magazine among them-in neighbouring associations, since thet asti ssue. selves, for the sake of practice in composition. In this part any letters are inserted having refeThe order of proceeding is as follows:-one of rence to matters of passing interest or impor tance, and the supplement is in the handwriting of the editor. It is also a duty of the editor to reject articles unfit for insertion. In most manuscript magazines a space is left at the end of each article, or at the end of each number, in which the readers are at liberty to make written observations on the articles. In other magazines this is not done, but the articles are submitted to verbal criticism, or no formal criticism is made at all. We wish, however, to do more than merely answer the question put by I. O. U. We cordially recommend the introduction of these maga. zines into all societies which do not possess them. The articles are usually shorter, and of a lighter kind than those submitted for criticism at the ordinary meetings of mutual improvement societies; and consist of tales, poems, brief essays, notices of books, &c. Manuscript magazines encourage careful composition and penmanship, the articles being read by the different members. The British Controversialist cannot be said to interfere with the circulation of manuscript magazines. Its province is much more extended. We regard it as a bond for uniting the members of mutual improvement societies in all parts of the kingdom as one glorious brotherhood. As no society should be without this valuable periodical, so no society should be without its own manuscript magazine. And in the event of two or more societies in the same town forming a union, their magazines might be interchanged. T. U., Edinburgh. Having been connected with the establishment of two manuscript magazines-having gained no small benefit from a continued connexion with both having long rejoiced over the permanent good which they have conferred on individuals, and through them on society-having traced the progress of the minds of the contributors to those magazines to their present position in the literary world, viz., that of contributors to public maga zines, all the members of one society having written articles which have appeared in the Controversialist, except one, whose productions have appeared in other popular periodicals; while most of the members of the other society are now connected with a new magazine of merit and novelty-we venture to present I. O. U. with "some general information." We shall not be blamed if it is particular and practical as well on the subject. We cannot do better than give a brief glance at each of these societies of contributors to their respective manuscript magazines, as both furnish an illustration of the intellectual good which must inevitably result from the contact, influence, and co-operation of minds of different tastes and capa. cities, all having the good of each in view. The one was in the town, and consisted of about a dozen members, of different position and avocation in the world. The other was in the country, and consisted of but four members. The former was represented by a manuscript maga zine, called “Our Monthly Portfolio of Sketches, Literary and Artistic;" the latter, the “Literary Republic." They were independent of each other, and unconnected, except that the writer was a contributor to both magazines. They were vastly dif ferent, as town and country societies invariably are, but were both lased on good principles and laws; and neither was devoid of merit, nor free from many imperfections. We shall speak chiefly of the "Monthly Portfolio," as it is most likely to furnish I. O. U. with the information he seeks. It was, necessarily, the largest and best-conducted of the two. The first and second numbers lie before us, and most have passed through our hands. None are unworthy of the title. Each contains articles on different subjects; poetry, translations, and illustrations in pencil, watercolours, and oil. We give the index of the first number, which is, perhaps, inferior to the rest; and leave the reader to judge of its contents, compass, and possible worth, as they have often done of works by glancing down a bookseller's catalogue. We would much rather give a few quotations, to show that it is not devoid of merit, than assert the same, but our space does not permit. The index to the first number is as follows (each article is signed with an assumed name): — Preface, by the Editor; Essayic Writings and Maximal Advice to Critics, Eothen; Sentences about US, Iota; Visions of the Night, a Poem by Civitas; Art and Religion, Paolo; Biography of Oberlin, Giovanni; Gavazzi, a Poem by Aretar; Science, Theophilus; Evening, a Sketch in Water-Colours by Paolo; Gregory VII. and Ais Times, Chronos; Le Souverain Peuple. Ultimus; Composition, a Sketch in Pencil by Omega; also about ten pages of criticisms. These are neatly transcribed, and stitched up in a stiff wrapper, bearing the above-mentioned title. It consists of about a hundred quarto pages. All articles were forwarded to the editor, who was appointed by the majority, and held office pro tempore. Every number was issued at the be ginning of the month, and circulated among the members of the society. Each member was at liberty to pass praise or censure on any of the productions, as several blank pages were left at the end of each article, &c., which were generally filled, showing what interest was taken in each composition. This society did not cea e to exist because it had within itself the elements of decay, but because its power was called into another and a much wider sphere, viz., the pages of the "Midland Metropolitan Magazine." Whatever may be the future intellectual history of its members, we doubt not but that the days when they wrote for its humble pages will ever be remembered with joyous recurrence. The Literary Republic," notwithstanding all its circumstantial defects, was, in one point, superior to the Monthly Portfolio." Its inembers did not confine their remarks and criticisms to pen and paper, but after the manuscript-book had been round to each member, who inserted his own article, a meeting was held, at which each production wa3 read by the writer, and not unfrequently became the subject of continued criticism, analyzation, and controversy. This arrangement led each member to study and write upon subjects lar more common and practical than ever appeared in the Monthly Portfolio." This gave the mental power of the "Literary Republic" that bias which has led its members to the arena of debate, thrown open to all by the Controversialist. Doubtless, most readers, perusing the collected writings of the "Republic, would recognise the peculiarity of intellectual idiosyncracy displayed so palpably in the calm sophistication of T. B.'s affirmative article on the "Confessional," and in the deep negative philosophy of " Cosmopolite's" negative article on the "Sabbath." We would advise I. O. U. to bear in mind this feature of the "Literary Republic," if he thinks of establishing a similar society, and, if possible, to give it prominence, as it invariably tends to lead the mind to topics of every-day consideration and practical bearing on society at large, which, of all things, is the most desirable in the present day, when the press is constantly sending forth the volumes of many a Dumas-when fiction and idealism seem to be the ambition of the majority of writers, especially beginners. They who, by continued thought, close investigation, deep penetration, and sound philosophy, throw back the folds of error from religious, social, or political questions, which the voice of ages, it may be, has answered in dogmatic error, take their position among the world's greatest benefactors. To them mankind will ultimately listen, and award the laurels of immortality! The establishment of societies which shall blend the peculiarities of organization, as seen in this brief glance at these two societies, would necessarily prove much more efficient than either of them have done, in training minds for such intellectual action, the glorious result of which is to bless mankind by delivering them from the ignoble fetters of specious error, and establishing them in the divine liberty of everlasting truth. Having been connected with a literary aud scientific institution, also a mechanics' institution, we can testify to the permanent good which such a manuscript magazine would be likely to effect, if well conducted by the members -THEOPHILUS. For the information of I. O. U., I append a few particulars of how a manuscript magazine is managed at an institution of which I am a member. It is upwards of three years since it was commenced; and the plan we adopted has worked exceedingly well. We appoint an editing committer, composed of three members (elected annually), to receive the contributions of the members, and whose duty it is to reject any article which they may deem unworthy of insertion, and to see that the magazine is issued to the members punctually on the first Monday in every month. Our magazine is closely written on note-paper, and averages about fifty pages, and is often embellished with very superior drawings. The members look anxiously for its appearance the day of publication, and it forms one of the principal features of our institution. I think the plan of having manuscript magazines in connexion with societies for mutual improvement is deserving of encouragement; and that, when well conducted, with perseverance they will prove conducive of much good to every reader and writer.-G. D. W. raphy, history, and mathematics (for algebra is a part of mathematics), are, in their elementary portions, most easily and naturally to be acquired, I will attempt briefly to explain that order which, to my mind, seems most natural, being adapted to the progressive growth of the human faculties, language, and reason, viz.-grammar, history geography, mathematics. 1. The art of speaking and writing one's native language correctly, so as to be able to communicate with others without violating any of those rules which regulate such intercourse in our own sphere of society, seems pointed out by nature as the primary object of instruction, and among all civilized nations it has ever been esteemed such, as evidenced by the routine of school education invariably adopted. It is, evidently, a necessary preliminary to the study of history or geography, which can never become intelligible till the meaning of words and sentences is understood. Arithmetic (omitted by Z. A.) seems naturally to follow next in order; that is to say, so much of the science of numbers as is needful to secure us from mistake and imposition in the transaction of business with other men. 2. Next in order, history presents itself as the most proper subject of study. I mean, of course, those elementary outlines of it, and particularly the history of one's own country, which has always been considered a necessary portion both of the higher and lower education. It properly follows grammar, inasmuch as when once the power of reading and understanding printed books has been gained, the interest should be excited and sustained by the narrative of great and striking events, while the memory is strengthened by the learning of names and dates. In reading history, even in this early stage, the maps of countries referred to should be constantly consulted. 3. But the study of geography as a separate science, especially of the drier details, in which a knowledge of geometry is requisite, should be deferred until the intellect has been fortified by the previous study of history. In its higher departments it is a science of great difficulty, requiring a very considerable degree of skill in the mathematics. 4. The elementary mathematics are of little use, except as a mental discipline. For practical purposes in actual life they are very seldom wanted; only in their higher and more difficult applications do they become useful to scientific and professional men, to the actuary, surveyor, architect, engineer, and astronomer. Euclid may probably be studied with advantage together with geography; algebra, which is arithmetic generalized, a year or two later. Up to quadratic equations is amply sufficient for disciplinary purposes; and then the elementary parts of trigonometry, so far as to include the solution of triangles. If Z. A. desire it, any extensive bookseller would probably furnish him with a list of the 155. The Order of Sudying the Sciences.- elementary works in each of these four branches The question relative to the order in which the of study, which are most in demand. And I different sciences should be studied has been would remark, that no one who is not yet thought not unworthy of attention by some of past fifty need despair of making very great prothe profoundest philosophers the world has pos-gress in any or all of these, if he really wishes. sessed. But as I presume Z. A. has in view no question in mental philosophy, but wishes simply to ascertain in what order the four branches of learning he mentions, gi ammar, geog An eminent living philosopher holds that the powers of the mind are strongest at about fortyeight years of age. Only let the students motto be," Whatever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might," and he will inevitably make great progress. Let Z. A. and others in his situation procure and read attentively Todd's "Student's Guide" (a good edition, edited by the Rev. T. Dale, is published by Routledge and Co.), and also Foster's" Essay on Decision of Character." -F. J. L. 158. Solution of a Geographical Problem.As the two travellers K. G. relers to complete the journey in 200 days (or any other number of days) each, they must travel at the rate of 180 deg.÷200= deg. per day, and the eastward traveller's noon on each day begins deg. x 4 32 min. sooner than on the preceding day. The westward traveller's just the reverse; viz., 33 min. later; hence, 33 min. x 2=73 difference of time between the following noonday of the travellers. And 7 min x 200 24 hours total difference between the noonday of the travellers, or time gained by eastward traveller. Therefore he must arrive 24 hours (one day) sooner, and the eastward traveller arriving on his Tuesday, would call the next day Wednesday, but which the westward traveller calls Tuesday, and would be called Tuesday by the inhabitants of the place. As proof of this I shall suppose the eastward traveller continues his journey until he completes his revolution, and arrives at Greenwich, gaining each day deg, or 33 min.; that is, having his noonday so much earlier than on the preceding day. Hence, arriving in 400 days, he would have gained 400 × 33 min. 24 hours in advance of the noonday at Greenwich. And if it were Tuesday he arrived on according to his calendar, he would find, to his surprise, they called it We inesday. And, were it allowed him to travel with the velocity of that daylight in a westerly direction, until he would arrive at the place where he formerly met his fellow-traveller, he would find that they also called it Wednesday.-STANISLAUS. The Young Student and Writer's Assistant. LOGIC CLASS. Junior.-Vide" Art of Reasoning," No. VI., Vol. I.-Why does the study of the human mind not deeply interest the present age? Mention one great distinction between physics and metaphysics? How can self-knowledge be gained? What is evidence? Why is the law of evilence an all-important inquiry? What do we find in each varying objectivity? With what is man born? What is consciousness? What is the ultimate criterion of truth to each individual? Do any laws govern the human mind? What are the twin powers of consciousness? How are the fundamental principles on which reasoning proceeds educed? Provectior.-Exercise, No. VI, Vol. II. Senior-Consciousness-its Nature and Laws; its Relation to Memory and Association. (Hamilton, Cousin, Locke, and Macvicar are the best references, in the order of their arrangement, we can give regarding "The Philosophy of Consciousness.") GRAMMAR CLASS. Exercises in Grammar. No. XV. Junior Division. Perform Exercise No. VI., Vol. III. p. 278. Place the verbs in the following exercise, and ACTIVE, OR TRANSITIVE. mercies and blessings produce no thankfulness." VERBS. PASSIVE. |