Boys | Page 8

that in speaking of
these things they make them appear unavoidable, and even worthy of
praise. Good writers show how revolting crime and evil is, how they
can be overcome and resisted, and how truth and honesty must prevail
in the end. The difference between good books and plays and bad ones
is not so much the subjects they write about as the way in which they
speak of them. Some of the cheap literature is only foolish, some is
distinctly wicked, but both are better avoided, and your time and
money spent on worthier objects. Avoid bad company, and take care
that your recreations are manly and honest.

HOME DUTIES.

As soon as you begin to bear your share in the expenses of home, you
will naturally look to have your word in the arrangements thereof.
From the time that you begin to earn your own living, until the time
that you make a home for yourself, there will be certain home duties
which you have no right to neglect.
First of all, you must be ready to bear your fair share in the expenses of
the home. When first you go to work, you will probably be expected to
bring home all your money, and have a certain sum given to you for
pocket money. As you grow older, you will agree to pay a certain sum
for your board and lodging, and keep the rest for yourself. Let your
payments be such as will do a little more than actually cover the
expense of what you have. Give a thought to the general comfort of the
home, and in time of need when perhaps your father's work is slack, be
ready to increase your help, even though it may decrease your own
personal comfort.
Secondly, you must acknowledge the authority of the head of the house,
and respect his wishes as to home arrangements, time for being in at
night, &c.
Thirdly. Recognise your responsibilities to your brothers and sisters. If
you are the eldest son you are bound to be the example, and if need be
the protector of the others, and whether elder or not you have still your
duties and responsibilities. A good brother is a great help to a sister,
and her brother's good opinion will be something which she will be
very sorry to forfeit through any fault of hers. For your sisters' sake
specially you are bound to be careful that your companions whom you
may bring home with you should not be such as would not be fit
company for them. Your duties to your parents I have already
mentioned, and the older you grow the more thoroughly you should
carry them out, so that, as you grow out of mere boyhood, you may
become more and more the companion and friend of your father, and
more and more the comfort and support of your mother. It is a great
thing in time of trouble to have one son to whom they can look without
fear of his help failing them. It is far too common to see young fellows,
so soon as they can earn enough to support themselves, leaving home

and going into lodgings because they are freer and more comfortable,
and leaving their parents to struggle on with the youngsters. It is a
selfish and ungrateful course, and therefore sure to be without a
blessing from God. I am talking now of those whose work keeps them
near home, and who only leave their home to escape its duties, or as
they would miscall them, its burdens. Many, of course, must leave
home. If work calls you elsewhere it is another matter. It would be a
very good thing in many instances if young fellows would have the
pluck to emigrate and make their way in a new country. Englishmen are
getting too fond of stopping at home where the labour markets are
overstocked. Emigration is one of the best openings for a young fellow
if he makes up his mind to work, and does not expect a fortune to fall
into his lap because he has gone to a new country to seek it.

SELF-IMPROVEMENT.
Boys generally leave school at about thirteen years of age, but they
make a very great mistake if they leave off learning at that age. Time
might be roughly divided off into four parts--necessary work, work for
others, self-improvement, and recreation. A man's education is never
completed. A man is never too old to learn. Whilst you are a boy and
lad you need to be taught; afterwards you can to a great extent learn for
yourself. You should never be content to remain just where you are,
you should endeavour to make the most of your opportunities, and to
advance