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N my early years, there was a volume pretty well known on the book-stalls-the Young Man's Best Companion, a work containing some elementary instruction in Grammar, Arithmetic, Geography, and other subjects, and which has long been superseded by books of a more comprehensive and popular character. The recollection of this obsolete classic, which lads of an aspiring turn used to secure with their first spare shilling, suggested to me the idea of composing a YOUTH'S COMPANION, which should, if possible, combine familiar instruction with friendly counsels on a variety of topics not ordinarily embraced in educational treatises; the object more especially in view being to strengthen good resolves in the young, and by cheering onward those in adverse circumstances, to inspire hopes which can only be realised by means of earnest study and industry.

Whether I have succeeded in this humble design, I do not presume to say. It is proper, at least, to mention that I have not relied entirely on my own experience, but as occasion required, have presented such 'wise and pithy words of others' as seemed to harmonise with the general purposes of the work. In some instances, also, matter has been incorporated from my brother's, and my own less effective, addresses to the young in the early volumes of the Periodical with which our names are jointly associated.

GLENORMISTON, October 1857.

W. C.

THE

YOUTH'S COMPANION.

A WORD PRELIMINARY.

HE period of youth is usually pictured by poets as one of thoughtless glee. Cares are said to come

Tonly with manhood. The young are no doubt for

the most part exempted from serious anxieties, but life even at an early period is by no means free from troubles, in which may be included the consciousness that we are subject to the performance of certain duties that are not always agreeable. Without in any way depressing the proper buoyancy of early years, but, as will be seen, rather recommending the exercise of a joyous spirit, happy in the sports and recreations suitable to the period of life, I desire in a friendly manner to call attention to those obligations which more or less are the concern of every human being; also to offer such hints for youthful guidance and instruction as may help to remove difficulties, and open up, so far as circumstances will allow, a course of usefulness, and its attendant satisfaction.

Directly addressing the young, as a parent might be supposed

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