Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1841-08-05

Gus intellectual character. Patient industry
gives nerve aud elasticity equally IN the
physical and mental system, while the absence
"i necessary exercise weakens their natural
powers. IN The midst, therefore, of the oc.
cumulated and daily accomplishing works OF
History, Poetry aud Romance, which besel
him on all sides and claim u passing notice,
few things can be of higher importance than
4 q judic ious selection with which 10 sweeten
aud improve hi' leisure hours. Imitation is o
II first law OF our nature, from which we cannot
| be exempt at our will. Our only indcrcn-
dence consists, IN choosing what and whom
we will initiate. A writer, In readSng age
ike ours. might as we'll attempt TO conceal
/ the sentiments and words he utters, as the
/ source OF that influence which gives charac
ter To his style Of expressing them. To him
|, therefore who reads 10 improve, both in ideas
and expression, the matter which a book con
tans, Gun hardly be of greater moment than
he style m which II is presented. History.
undoubtedly, should occupy the first place 10
his Htent,on. Poeuy and Fiction have each
their subordinate CLAIMS. Bnt History. as is
loo often tie case, should not be read for It's
facts alone, neither Poetry for its beautiful
melody; nor Fiction for IT, fascinating charms.
A discriminating mind viii not fail to make
There il a species Of miscellaneous reading
IN the character Of weekly HEd daily gazcttes,
which particularly abound at the present day,
and exert no inconsidcrabe influence upon
the mental habits of the student.
/
| A careless habit Of reading, in which the
mind Is suffered TO divide It's attention be.
tween what passes under the eye, and sub.
l'cts which have preoccupied It's notice, Is
highly detrimental To intellectual discipline.
Such a disposition of the mind may originate
from various and widely different sources
The most common, however, is To be found
IN that foolish AMBITION, which fires many to
acquire the reputation of beng grent readers;
prompted by tho erroneous idea, that the
mere reading Of on authors work embraces
likewise n knowledge of the subjects he has
discussed. il might be well for such 10 con.
slider, how much wiser they might probably
be, To have travelled tho world over, but with
eyes shut and ears closed. Another fault
consists in the practice of reading hose au.
lhors that should be studied. In respect 10
most works OF the present age, this precaution
might seem 10 be lutte needed. Yet there
are those IN the students list. which Justify il
with peculiar emphasis. .)iiton's Parndise
Lost, often dispatched in The same haste as
the most trlillng novel, might well consume
month in the perusal, with the ordinary lei
sure OF most students, and that too when
read for pleasure rather than a critical ex.
animation. Many Of our standard poets and
prose writers, would be uninteli. lblc 10
cursory reader. TO be understood they must
be carefully studied; and it stndied, they will
be- appreciated. But this dcirrring of plea
sure, until the mind has gone through long
process of reasoning and discrimination, in
order 10 grasp the authors ideas is what
many lack perseverance TO endure and by |
Induglng themselves in looking at things, !
rather than into and through them, they are
soon involved in the careless habit under
There is also IN many indi-
vlduals a certain passive credulity, that re
ceivrs every thing IN the gross, and dlsdaIns .
to descend to any analysis or critical eXainin-
alton. So implicit is this reverence to book |
authority in some minds, that they would ev. |
idcnily doubt their own existence, if il should |
happen to be- denied in print
Whoever reads for Improvement, should |
cultivate and exercise spirit of critical in. |
vestiga,on, and learn to discriminate careful. |
ly between theory and fact, between lntrin. |
sic beauty and meretrcious ornament. With /
ont this. he will fud himself slave to every |
author he consulis, without the ability TO |
appreciate the merits or relish the beauties |
of puy. SAVOY