indeed. I do not, therefore, mean to give you a critical essay upon the use and abuse of time; I will only give you some hints, with regards to the use of one particular period of that long time which, I hope, you have before you; I mean, the next two years. Remember then, that whatever knowledge you do not solidly lay the foundation of before you are eighteen, you will never be master of while you breathe. [Dec. 11, 1747.]
Knowledge.—Knowledge is a comfortable and
necessary retreat and shelter for us in an advanced
age; and if we do not plant it while young, it will
give us no shade when we grow old. [Same date.]
A Classical Student.—I knew a gentleman
who was so good a manager of his time that he
would not even lose that small portion of it which
the calls of nature obliged him to pass in the necessary
house; but gradually went through all the
Latin poets in those moments. He bought, for
example, a common edition of Horace, of which he
tore off gradually a couple of pages, read them first,
and then sent them down a sacrifice to Cloacina;
this was so much time fairly gained. [Same date.]
Young Stanhope.—Hitherto I have discovered
nothing wrong in your heart, or your head; on the
