BOOKS?

By all means. Spare no money on them. Be a spendthrift for books. We can
always afford them; but pay for the printed matter, and not for the
covers. If you choose books wisely and know what is in them and where to
get at them when you want them, you can for a very small expense have a
mine of information and recreation at your elbow, which could make you the
best educated of men.


CLUBS?

Freely. It mostly goes to the discard; but you can afford that, provided
you are careful not to have too great a waste of time. There are more
opportunities lost inside of club walls than are gained.


CARDS?

There is no gain in gambling beyond the opportunity of watching the human
character, and, incidentally to develop it; but it is time lost, and
unworthily lost. The end does not justify the means. You had better play
and read and sleep rather than gamble.


WINE?

Yes and no. Always in moderation. Do not acquire the habit of drinking. It
is useless; and, after all that is said in favor of it by our mutual