1. In reading, a book or newspaper should be held at a distance of from ten to fifteen inches from the eyes. It is hardly necessary to caution anybody not to hold the print further away than fifteen inches. The only objection to holding ordinary print too far away is that in so doing the pictures formed on the back wall of the eye are too small to be readily and easily perceived, and the close attention consequently necessary causes both the eyes and the brain to tire. Most persons quickly find this out themselves, and the tendency is rather to hold the book too near, for the nearer the object to the eye, the larger its picture upon the retina, or back eye wall. But here we encounter another danger. The nearer the object the eyes are concentrated upon, the greater the muscular effort necessary; so that by holding the book too near, the labor of reading is greatly increased, and the long persistence in such a habit is likely to produce weak eyes, and may, in some instances, lead to real near-sightedness. When children are observed to have acquired this habit and cannot be persuaded out of it, they should always be taken to a physician skilled in the treatment of the eye for examination and advice. A little attention at such a time may save them from a whole lifetime of trouble with their eyes. Of course, the larger the print, the farther it may be held from the eyes. POSITION. 2. The position of the person with regard to the light should be so that the latter will fall upon the page he is reading, and not upon his eyes. It is generally considered most convenient to have the light shine over the left shoulder, so that in turning the leaves of the book, the shadow of the hand upon the page is avoided. It is not always possible to do this, however, and, at the same time, to get plenty of light upon the page. When one finds himself compelled to face the light in reading, or in standing at a desk bookkeeping, he should always contrive to shade his eyes from a direct light. This may be done with a large eye shade projecting from the brow. A friend of mine, a physician, is very fond of reading by a kerosene lamp, the lamp being placed on a table by his side, and the direct light kept from his eyes by means of a piece of cardboard stuck up by the lamp chimney. PROPER LIGHT.