The calling of a scholar ... fitteth a man for all conditions and fortunes; so that he can enjoy prosperity with moderation, and sustain adversity with comfort: he that loveth a book will never want a faithful friend, a wholesome counsellor, a cheerful companion, an effectual comforter.... The reading of books, what is it but conversing with the wisest men of all ages and all countries, who thereby communicate to us their most deliberate thoughts, choicest notions, and best inventions, couched in good expression, and digested in exact method? The perusal of history, how pleasant illumination of mind, how useful direction of life, how spritely incentives to virtue doth it afford! How doth it supply the room of experience, and furnish us with prudence at the expense of others, informing us about the ways of action, and the consequences thereof by examples, without our own danger or trouble!--I. BARROW. _Of Industry in our Particular Calling as Scholars._ THE COMPANY OF MUTES I often derive a peculiar satisfaction in conversing with the ancient and modern dead,--who yet live and speak excellently in their works.--My neighbours think me _often alone_,--and yet at such times I am in company with more than five hundred mutes--each of whom, at my pleasure, communicates his ideas to me by dumb signs--quite as intelligibly as any person living can do by uttering of words.--They always keep the distance from me which I direct,--and, with a motion of my hand, I can bring them as near to me as I please.--I lay hands on fifty of them sometimes in an evening, and handle them as I like;--they never complain of ill-usage,--and, when dismissed from my presence--though ever so abruptly--take no offence. Such convenience is not to be enjoyed--nor such liberty to be taken--with the living.--L. STERNE. _Letters._ A CONSOLATION FOR THE DEAF I read with more pleasure than ever; perhaps, because it is the only pleasure I have left. For, since I am struck out of living company by my deafness, I have recourse to the dead, whom alone I can hear; and I have assigned them their stated hours of audience. Solid _folios_ are the people of business, with whom I converse in the morning. _Quartos_ are the easier mixed company, with whom I sit after dinner; and I pass my evenings in the light, and often frivolous, _chit-chat_ of small _octavos_ and _duodecimos_.--LORD CHESTERFIELD. SWEET UNREPROACHING COMPANIONS I armed her [Olivia] against the censure of the world, showed her that books were sweet unreproaching companions to the miserable, and that if they could not bring us to enjoy life, they would at least teach us to endure it.--O. GOLDSMITH. _The Vicar of Wakefield._ MY DAYS AMONG THE DEAD ARE PASSED My days among the Dead are passed; Around me I behold, Where'er these casual eyes are cast, The mighty minds of old; My never-failing friends are they, With whom I converse day by day.