Advice to a Young Man upon First Going to Oxford In Ten Letters, From an Uncle to His Nephew   By: Edward Berens (1777?-1859)

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LETTERS, &c.

ADVICE TO A YOUNG MAN

UPON FIRST GOING TO OXFORD,

IN TEN LETTERS,

FROM AN UNCLE TO HIS NEPHEW.

BY THE REV. EDWARD BERENS, M.A. LATE FELLOW OF ORIEL COLLEGE.

LONDON: PRINTED FOR J. G. & F. RIVINGTON, ST. PAUL'S CHURCH YARD, AND WATERLOO PLACE, PALL MALL.

1832.

LONDON: GILBERT & RIVINGTON, PRINTERS, St. John's Square.

I have long thought that a book was wanted, of the nature of that which I have here attempted. How far I have succeeded in the attempt, the public will determine.

I have had, have at present, and (if I live,) expect to have hereafter, several nephews at Oxford; all having to make their own way in the world, and all, consequently, having abundant reason for being economical, both of their time and of their money, during their residence at the University. These Letters were not addressed to any one of them in particular, but are intended, like some official documents, "for all whom they may concern." Perhaps I had more especially in view, those of them who are destined for my own profession.

E. B.

CONTENTS.

LETTER. PAGE.

I. Sense of Religion 1

II. Choice of Friends 13

III. Conversation 27

IV. Against yielding to the Influence of Numbers 45

V. Improvement of Time 55

VI. Punctuality 72

VII. Amusements 85

VIII. Expenses, and running into Debt 99

IX. Temperance 114

X. English Reading 137

LETTER I.

SENSE OF RELIGION.

MY DEAR NEPHEW,

It gives me sincere pleasure to hear that you have actually become a member of the University of Oxford. This satisfaction, perhaps, may in some degree be attributed to the pleasing recollection of my own Oxford life, but certainly it arises principally from anticipation of the substantial benefits which you, I trust, will derive from your connexion with that seat of learning. At the same time, I will own that my satisfaction is not entirely unmixed with something like apprehension. An University education has many and great advantages, but it also is attended with many temptations; temptations to which too many young men have yielded, sometimes to the great injury of their character, and the utter ruin of all their future prospects.