disposition to be profane. It is saying, in effect, “I
would swear, if I durst.” If indulged, this habit will be very likely
to lead on to profaneness.

Another rude habit, which boys often indulge, is, what is familiarly
called “CRACKING JOKES” upon one another. The object seems to be, to
see who can say the wittiest thing, at another’s expense. But, in such
attempts, generally, _wit_ fails; and the strife is, which can say the
silliest thing, in the silliest manner. All such low witticisms may be
set down as decidedly rude and vulgar.

_Rudeness of behavior_ manifests itself in so many forms, that it is
scarcely definable. I can only glance at a few things which indicate
a want of good breeding. It is rude to be so _forward_ as to treat
your superiors as equals, or toor
healthful walks. I can think of nothing more injurious to the young
than spending the hours in which they are released from study, bending
over novels, or the light literature of our trashy periodicals. Not
only is the health seriously injured by such means, but the mind loses
its vigor. The high stimulus applied to the imagination creates a kind
of mental intoxication, which renders study insipid and irksome. But
reading is an important part of education, and some time should be
devoted to it. Instead of mere amusement, however, there are higher
objects to be aimed at. These are, 1st, to store the mind with useful
knowledge; 2d, to cultivate a correct taste; 3d, to make salutary
impressions upon the heart. For the first, you may read approved works
on all the various branches of knowledge; as history,