Literary cadet, and Saturday evening bulletin. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1826-1827, 1826-11-11
NOVEL READING,


| Ihis Is species OF readiug often pursued b,
young females, Tor the purpose OF giving refinement
10 theN education, as well as 10 expand the mind
ana give correct notions OF life and things Anu
many are 80 nconsiderate as TO suppose, that TINS
knowledge, superadaed 10 common PLAIN educa
tioh, VIII constitute the most essential accompsh-
mcnt, which the female character requires; while
they neslector despise the more useful or elesa
studies. An error SO cotnnlon and SO pernicious,
cannot be oseverely exposed, or too much lament
eu' Tor 10 not heslate 10 declare that 1t Is spe-
cies oil knowledge, fiction aud fancy ca be so call
eu' that, when acquired, Is too often worse than
useless: 10 attain which, the time winch mis 6i
have been devoted to useful studies, has been en-,
pioyed, and the mild has become poisoned with III
correct IDEAS OF mankind, and social and domestic
enjoymens.
NoVeY often teach Il contempt lor the social and
domestic duties; an antpathy tor industry iruyall-
" ana retirement; they make love the sreat busi-
ness OF human ite and teach that is i'm possl-
Ole 10 be regulated or restrained aud 10 the Iudu.
Seice oi his PASSION, every duty therefore to be
sacrihced. wee and crime are sci off with all the
ornament that can make tnem amable, or even de-
sfaoie; whiie virtue and plety ren, ,ereL Idicu-
ious, Wy oeiug United to something inillng or ap-
suiu. W hen tney who indulse much 10 this per-
hicious prachce, become parents, tney find the ex
ua'asant notions lis.iliei by these books, SO lar
from being realised, tnat, to them, all is Compare
lively dull and gloomy; aud they are disposed to
fancy theT lot unfortunate anu miserable.
MS s 'he case with the majority oi them yet
here are some late ones as we:l as older, that
contain many eood things, and nigh be read with
advantage, did they not Likewise coutain u great
zeal Vi useless matter; and not only so but really
iJurous hcIion. Ia short, cannol consider it 9TH
eiwise Than improper and injurious, when so much
TINE Is employ ed III reading them-be their charac-
Ter what they may So much novels now in
vogue, that they constitute the sole reading Of
ny, after they nave obtained the fret ruuinients OF
their education; and NEW NOVELS are the princi-
pa suoJecis OF inquiry--to supply which, We have
how-a-days, many authors, who are aspiring TO the
eievated anu honorable disti. ctlon OF NovELIsTs.
Those recent novels which have the highest
Chains 10 Io beaiance and even TO some degree oi
utity, are those which said to contain the out
iines oi historical facts The historical Information
may De interesting and entertaining, but wnen Al IS
So intimately blended with felton, and dl essed up
IA All 'he eXtravaSance OF an inventive ation
little real utility be derived from reading them
ior lew are wiling, II they are capabc, % separate
ehe mass oi hction from the nucleus of fact with
OUT winch, the whole IS considered true, or the
"Hoie hctItious Ii the whole be cons .dered true,
"iey are me dupes U error and islsehood # the
whoie oe considered fictitious, time is wasted in
reading what they admit is false anl ialsehood ana
truth ere coniounued
NoEels frequently contain elegant sentiments |
picturesque descriptions, and excellent portraits OF
character These. far they relate to truth anu
lact, may be interesting and ediiymg; but they arc
30 enVeioped IN matter which is useless, and eveu
perncious to young females, that 10 select them, IS
much IKE climbing thorn tree 70, grapes wh,cn !
merely satisfy the appetite without any permanent
benefit.
Upon the whole, there are novels that may be
read occasionally, az an amusing relaxation from
0her studies or pursuits with advauta e-but they
$40 iid not be allowed ~ consume tine which duy
'nJoins us to employ otherwise-nor should they be
hhue the entire, or even the principal study OF
'ounS ieniaies. So, then, we do not unconLItion-
lily condemn all novels-sone may be useiui-bui
We disapprove that extravasant passion ior them
vhch Is so prevalent, aad which canuot be iuduls
ID without serious disadvantage.
The knowledge to be derived from books Of this
Is only the chaf of science, equally un.
ubstantial aud equally light. Although 1t be plea
lns and amusing, i: cannot be really usetul-nor
an it be so highly pleasing, as to captivate the
Whole affections, except to minds incapacitated for
he nobler and useful studies, either by improper
ducaton or vitiated habits. Let the mind be
raned to useful studies anu engagements, aud 1t
,ill not be disposed TO desert them and then these
ooks may be read occasionally as q relaxation to
Ass of lsngud hour. SEsEx.