IT

PREFACE

TO THE FIRST EDITION.

IT is to be lamented that the world has been deprived of a considerable portion of useful knowledge and valuable instruction, by men of eminent talents declining to employ them upon homely and practical subjects.

There are but few, comparatively speaking, who possess sufficient information, and are at the same time addicted to that habit of attention and application which is necessary to compose a treatise upon any subject. And of those few, some are prevented by the importunate avocations of business, others are deterred by a diffidence of their own abilities; while those who can command both time and confidence, generally follow th

direction in which their taste has led their genius, or draw from those stores which their profession has compelled them to accumulate.

Thus, while the superiority of some minds almost disdains such topics as afford but little room for the display of their learning or their wit, the particular bias of others entirely overlooks them. The benevolence of Addison, however, happily overcame this literary pride; and to him, together with his coadjutors and his imitators, we are in no small degree indebted for that refinement of manners, and correctness of morals, which distinguish our own country. But, notwithstanding our British Essayists have so admirably and so successfully exposed the follies, and censured the vices of their respective contemporaries, an observer of no extraordinary penetration may still discover in every department of society, much to ridi cule, and more to reprehend. There being no prying Spectator in the present day to mark the delinquencies of private life, no

Tatler to report them to the world,

and no friendly Guardian to caution the rising generation against their commission; fearing that talents might never stoop to the consideration of so simple a subject as that which occupies the following pages; but, at the same time, being convinced of its importance, and concerned to find it so generally neglected, the Author has been induced to submit this little work to the public.

It not unfrequently happens, that the popularity of a name procures that success for a publication which its intrinsic merits do not deserve; and the peculiar excellence of a production sometimes confers that distinction upon a name which the writer does not anticipate. But the Author being aware that his name is not of sufficient importance to give celebrity to his work, and, conscious that his work will ever be too obscure to reflect lustre upon his name, feels a greater satisfaction in knowing he shall enjoy the privilege of concealment, than in wishing to obtain the honour of publicity. He congratulates himself upon thus escaping those anxieties which so often agitate the candi

dates for literary fame, being equally free from the apprehension of tarnishing laurels already won, and the desire of acquiring new ones,-from the dread of censure, and the hope of praise. He will also escape the suspicion of having been influenced, in his humble attempt to destroy the palace of Somnus, by the same motive which induced Erostratus to burn the temple of Diana.

The Author is sensible that he has a powerful antagonist to contend with. Should the weapons he has selected be found improper for the combat, or his own strength unequal to his foe; should he fail in every instance completely to defeat his enemy, perhaps he may so far weaken him, as to render him an easier conquest to one who is furnished with more suitable arms, and is able to wield them better. If he be altogether unsuccessful in the engagement, he hopes, at least, to stimulate some generous mind to accomplish what he has attempted.

The following observations on the advantages of early rising, and the evils of the contrary practice, are offered in the form of

Letters, the epistolary style appearing to be best adapted to the homeliness of the subject. Otherwise, either the fastidious ear of the refined reader would have been offended by the frequent repetition of common-place expressions, or the good sense of the more judicious would have been disgusted with the affected periphrases which must have been resorted to in order to avoid them. These Letters are addressed to persons whose ages and pursuits are different, with the view of rendering the remarks which they contain more immediately applicable to the circumstances of the reader, and, therefore, more likely to enforce conviction upon the mind, and to induce a reformation of the habits.

Should the Author, when mingling hereafter in society, ever have the happiness to hear one parent say, in allusion to these pages, By them I was first led to improve those hours which were formerly consumed in sleep, and thus I have not only been able to perform with ease the duties which before were often neglected, but I have also expe