Upon the whole, take it for granted, that, without these accomplishments, all you know, and all you can do, will avail you very little. Adieu. [Jan. 18, 1750.]
Time—its Value.—Very few people are good
economists of their fortune, and still fewer of their
time; and yet, of the two, the latter is the most
precious. I heartily wish you to be a good economist
of both; and you are now of an age to begin to
think seriously of these two important articles.
Young people are apt to think they have so much
time before them, that they may squander what they
please of it, and yet have enough left; as very great
fortunes have frequently seduced people to a ruinous
profusion. Fatal mistakes, always repented of, but
always too late! Old Mr. Lowndes, the famous
Secretary of the Treasury, in the reigns of King
William, Queen Anne, and King George the First,
used to say, "Take care of the pence, and the pounds
will take care of themselves." To this maxim,
which he not only preached, but practised, his two
grandsons, at this time, owe the very considerable
fortunes that he left them. [Feb. 5, 1750.]
Lazy People—Dispatch—How to Read.—Many
people lose a great deal of their time by
laziness; they loll and yawn in a great chair, tell
