bias, or avoided a deep-laid fnare, by the perufal of what the author here most humbly prefents to the public. FAMILIAR FAMILIAR ESSAYS. ON METHOD. WHERE lives the man who has not found the most be neficial effects from an attention to method? Let the ftation of the individual be what it will, from the firft duke, nay from the monarch on the throne down to the humble cottager, who goes forth in the morning to his labor and earns his bread by the fweat of his brow; all, in this long-extended chain, either feel the good effects of method, or by a want of it, are perpetually embarraffed both in time and circumftances. As I was ever partial to method, and have acquired habits of attention, which I have found exceedingly useful, I have fometimes, when in the company of the young, the gay, and the inconfiderate, made it the fubject of converfation. I WAS one day expatiating on my favorite topic to a beautiful and lively girl, who, as is too often the cafe with young ladies, from a flow of good spirits, and an absence of care, was too animated, and too volatile, volatile, to trouble herself about any thing; and who often ftrewed the room, from end to end, with the various articles of her drefs, work, &c. I told her, that, would she but give fome little attention to method, fhe would find it of the most wonderful ufe throughout life. She laughed at me for my anti-quated notions, and told me, that fhe even now found it fometimes impoffible to reach the parlour when the dinner-bell rang, and if every thing was to be put exactly in its place, fhe fhould never reach it at all. As fhe poffeffed great good-nature, I preffed her to follow my B 2 di rections rections for one week; viz. never to leave any of her things out of order, but to have a fixed place for each of them. She promised compliance, and perfifted with a perfeverance I little expected. For the first day or two fhe found fome difficulty, but it gradually wore off, and, after the week was at an end, fhe acknowledged that method, fo far from occafioning hurry, had a contrary effect; and, as fhe poffeffed a good understanding, I am happy to say, that, being now a mother of a numerous family, every part of it is managed with fuch regularity as enfures lafting fatisfaction both to herself and her huf band. WAS |