Chapter II: Section III: On Books and Study.--How to overcome a dislike to them

Lyceums, Travels, Histories, Newspapers. A common mistake. Education only the key to knowledge. Men have commenced students at 40. Franklin always a learner. We can find _time_ for study. _Practical Studies._ 1. _Geography._ How to study it. Its importance. 2. _History._ How pursued. 3. _Arithmetic._ _Practical_ arithmeticians. The mere use of the pen and pencil do not give a knowledge of this branch. 4. _Chemistry_, and other Natural Sciences. Usefulness of Chemistry. 5. _Grammar_ and _Composition_. One method of obtaining a _practical_ knowledge of these branches. 6. _Letter writing_. 7. _Voyages_, _travels_, and _biography_. 8. _Novels._ Not recommended, especially to those who have little leisure. 9. _Newspapers._ Newspapers, though productive of much evil, on the whole useful. Five rules to assist the reader in making a judicious selection. Politics. History and constitution of our country studied. 10. _Keeping a Journal._ Examples. Other ways of improving the mind. Blank book, with pencil in our pockets. 11. _Preservation of Books and Papers._ Books should be covered; kept clean; used with dry hands. Turning down leaves. Using books for pillows, props to windows, seats, &c. 202-229

CHAPTER V.--SOCIAL AND MORAL IMPROVEMENT.

Section I. Female Society, in general.--Both sexes should be educated together. What we are to think of those who despise female society. How it polishes and improves us. 230-234

Section II. Advice and Friendship of Mothers. 234-235

Section III. Society of Sisters--Attentions due them. Their benefit. 236-237

Section IV. General Remarks and Advice.--Too great intimacy. Avoid trifling. Beware of idolatry. 238-241

Section V. Lyceums and other Social Meetings.--Value of Lyceums, and courses of lectures. How they might be improved. Their cheapness. 241-243

Section VI. Moral Instruction.--Sabbath Schools and Bible Classes. Value of the latter. 243-244

Section VII. Of Female Society in reference to Marriage.--Every youth should keep matrimony in view. Particular advice. The wish to marry, prudently indulged, will have a great influence on our character. Error of a pedagogue. 244-250

CHAPTER VI.--MARRIAGE.

Section I. Why Matrimony is a duty.--Importance of the subject. Considered as a school. Early marriage. Objections. Seven great evils from late marriages. 251-258

Section II. General Considerations.--Husbands and wives gradually resemble each other. Considerations for those who embark in matrimony. 258-262

Section III. Female Qualifications for Matrimony.--1. _Moral Excellence._ 2. _Common Sense._ 3. _Desire for improvement._ 4. _Fondness for children._ Miserable condition of a husband or wife, where this is wanting. 5. _Love of domestic concerns._ Evils of ignorance on this point. Fashionable education in fault. 6. _Sobriety._ Definition of the term. An anecdote. Love of mental and bodily excitement usually connected. 7. _Industry._ How to judge whether a person is industrious. 8. _Early rising._ A mark of industry. Late rising difficult of cure. 9. _Frugality._ Its importance shown. 10. _Personal Neatness._ Its comforts. 11. _A good temper._ Its importance illustrated. 12. _Accomplishments._ 263-305

CHAPTER VII.--CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR.

Section I. Inconstancy and Seduction.--Constancy. Its importance illustrated by an example. Cruelty of sporting with the affections of a female. Opinion of Burgh. 306-313

Section II. Licentiousness.--Most common in cities. New Orleans. Hint to legislators. A horrid picture. Not wholly imaginary. Avoid the first erring step. Example of premature decrepitude. Anecdote of C. S. Solitary vice. This vice compared with intemperance. A set of wretches exposed. Apologies sometimes made. Nature of the evils this error produces. The law of God. Medical testimony. Entire celibacy, or purity, not unfavorable to health. Youth ought to consider this, and study the human frame. Causes of the error in question. 1. _False delicacy._ Our half Mohammedan education. 2. _Books_, _Pictures_, &c. Great extent of this evil. Opinion of Dr. Dwight. 3. _Obscene and improper songs._ Anecdote of a schoolmaster. 4. _Double entendres._ Parental errors. _Evening Parties._ 314-337

Section III. Diseases of Licentiousness. Nine or ten of them enumerated. The ninth described. Four examples of suffering. When the young ought to tremble. Happiness of having never erred. What books may be safely and usefully consulted. Extract from Rees' Cyclopedia. Other forms of disease. Of excess. All degrees of vice are excessive. Duties of Parents as guides to the young. Obligations of Medical men. Concluding Remarks. 337-354

ADDITIONAL CHAPTER.

Section I. Choice of Friends. Importance of a few female friends. Caution necessary in making a choice. Story of Lucius--his mistake. Reflections. Character of friends. Select a small number only.

Section II. Rudeness of manners. Wearing hats in the house--its tendency. Practical questions. Manners in families.

Section III. Self-praise. Egotism. We should say little about ourselves.