limp.--FROM THE LATIN.

If men wish to be held in esteem, they must associate with those who
are estimable.--LA BRUYERE.


1. BY WHAT MEN ARE KNOWN.--An author is known by his writings, a
mother by her daughter, a fool by his words, and all men by their
companions.

2. FORMATION OF A GOOD CHARACTER.--Intercourse with persons of decided
virtue and excellence is of great importance in the formation of a
good character. The force of example is powerful; we are creatures of
imitation, and, by a necessary influence, our tempers and habits
are very much formed on the model of those with whom we familiarly
associate. Better be alone than in bad company. Evil communications
corrupt good manners. Ill qualities are catching as well as diseases;
and the mind is at least as much, if not a great deal more, liable to
infection, than the body. Go with mean people, and you think life is
mean.

3. GOOD EXAMPLE.--How natural is it for a child to look up to those
around him for an example of imitation, and how readily does he copy
all that he sees done, good or bad. The importance of a good example
on which the young may exercise this powerful and active element of
their nature, is a matter of the utmost moment.

4. A TRUE MAXIM.--It is a trite, but true maxim, that "a man is known
by the company he keeps." He naturally assimilates by the force
of imitation, to the habits and manners of those by whom he is