hours every day, by not taking care of the minutes. Never think any portion of time, whatsoever, too short to be employed; something or other may always be done in it. [Nov. 6, 1747.]
Young People.—The young leading the young
is like the blind leading the blind; "they will both
fall into the ditch." The only sure guide is he who
has often gone the road which you want to go. Let
me be that guide; who have gone all roads; and who
can consequently point out to you the best. If you
ask me why I went any of the bad roads myself? I
will answer you, very truly, that it was for want of
a good guide; ill example invited me one way, and
a good guide was wanting, to show me a better. But
if anybody, capable of advising me, had taken the
same pains with me, which I have taken, and will
continue to take with you, I should have avoided
many follies and inconveniences, which undirected
youth ran me into. My father was neither desirous
nor able to advise me; which is what, I hope, you
cannot say of yours. [Nov. 24, 1747.]
From Home.—I send you, by a person who sets
out this day for Leipsic, a small packet from your
mamma, containing some valuable things which you
left behind; to which I have added, by way of New
Year's gift, a very pretty toothpick case; and, by
