210 UNPROFITABLE READING. they sink into a more perilous indolence. The scenes acted over by the imagination in private, have also a superiority in mis- chief over those of actual, busy gaiety in others, as being more likely to be, retained and repeated. Instances, how- ever, are not rare, in which a thorough manager contrives to make both meet. In this union the injury is doubled. But it will be urged by the too ready advocates, that all these books are not wicked. It is readily granted. Many works of fiction may be read with safety, some even with profit ; but the constant familiarity even with such as are not exceptionable in themselves, relaxes the mind that wants hardening, dissolves the heart which wants fortifying, stirs the imagination which wants quieting, irri- tates the passions which want calming, and above all, disinclines and disqualifies for active virtues, and for spiritual exer- cises. The habitual indulgence, in such reading is a silent, mining mischief. Though there is no act, and no moment,
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