Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Wayne County, Ind.) 1831-1837, 1833-08-03
For The R;chmoad Palladium.

EOS The 1SlCn1s0n0 H0sSScsume
In the last nun Der Of the Palladium
discovered communicationfr from female
correspondent, in which the writer says
she thiaks ann much mistaken in my O.
pinion on the subject Of novel reading.
Now do at ali times dislike the spirit
Of contention, yet in justice to my own
feelings, and in defence Of the sentiments
have previously expressed. must take
the liberty ofexpressing my views still fur
Ser on this subject.
Mary says she thinks novels are beneh-
ciaI in arousiug the youthful mind, and
stimulating it TO reading. Now i think
that dull and stupid indeed must be the
mind ofthat person whose fine feelings are
20 he aroused, and whose tender sensiblii'
tie1are to be awakened only by the peru
sal or novels. Cold and unfeeling indeed
must be the heart that cannot melt at the
tale Of v De, told by the child Of cherries
poyerty--that cannot feel for the sorrows
oftiIe widow and orphan. or that cannot
smpathise with the bereaved mourner,
whose heart seems ready to burst with an
guish, and yet can she'd the tear Of pity for
tic supposed "sorrows of Werter," and
feel the most tender sensibilities awaken
cd for the misfortunes Of some heroine Of
romance.
The books which we read, particularly
in early life, serve materially TO form our
minis and fix their principles, We certain
Iy ought, therefore to make a judicious Sc
lection. So,le may think that novel read
ing serves to beautify and adorn the mind.
TO render the manners engaging, and the
conversation interesting: but permit me
here to observe that beauty and elegance
without stability and strength Of mind are
both weakness and folly. Substantial
materials for the structure should first be
secured, those that decorate and adorn
may Re sought at leisure.
Novel reading believe is destructive in
itsvery nature and rfaught with many evils,
and if steadily persued will rob the young
cheek Of its bloom, the eye of its briilan-
cy, and the step Of its lightness, it will
lead US on imperceptibly through maze
Of perplexity and disappointment, because
we have sought that happiness in land Of
visions, and romantic dreams, which il
only to be found in a contented and virtut
Gus heart. How many there are, who by
asteady perusal of these pernicious VOL
unes, have so poisoned their minds and
darkened their understandings as to rem
der themselves unfit even for the necessa-
~ avocations Of life, and become almost
useless members of society, and to be in
capable of enjoying either the gay and
.ple ndid assembly Of beauty and fashion,
or the more tranquil and undisturbed joys
Of the social circle; when on the other
hand, if they had perseveringly persued the
Bath Of science, and the line Of duty, they
might have become not only useful but or
namental members Of society, they might
/. have shone conspicuous in the halls of the
great and learned, and secured unto them
selves what is of still greater value, a self
approving conscience.
And now let US pause for a moment and
take serious view Of the subject This
life is but scene Of moral trial, Of care
aud anxiety. Should We not then " nile T,
we have it IN our power endeavor to secure
unto ourselves those substantial joys that
will bear us up through all the ills Of life,
and be our support in the closing scene.
We are only soJourncrs on earth, placed
here by the great author Of our existence
for high and glorious purpose, where ifl
We steadily pcrsue the path Of piety and
virtue it will guide US to felicity.
And now Mary, thou mayst read novels
when mother is from home or has retired,
thou maxSt initiate their virtues-thou
mayst call them beneficial. and say they
have happy influence on the youthful
mind. but be assured my gentle girl, (for
suck1 presume thou art) that thou must
advance stronger arguments than those,
before thou canst ever change the opin-
ion of ANNA.
WoMAN.-"HEAvENs LAST, BEST GIFT
oMAN.-Mr. Brooks, the accomplished
letter writer for the Portland ADVERTISER
lately paid visit to Ex-Presidcnt Maids
on, AZ his plantation, and was highly de-
lighted with the rich fields Of grain, the
comfort Of the negroes, and the vigorous