Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1843-04-22
N o VEL DING.
BY JOHN e. EDWARDS.

The evils of indiscrimi,,ate novel reading
have been much dwelt upon. They have
formed theme for the orator in the pulpit,
and for the professor in his room. But as
the usage still continues, it cannotbe amiss
to press the subject upon the public atten-
ton. The theme, am aware, is an un.
popular one. There are great many adj.
vocates for novel reading in every depart
ment of society. By such it is called an
innocent mental recreation, a relaxation
from severe thought, and an admirable
means of forming an acquaintance with
human nature and the world.
Now | do not pretend to say that no no.
vel can be read without iniury-on the
contrary, believe that few may possibly
be read with benefit. But unless the young
can procure judicious monitor in the Sc
lection of few which are worthy of peru
sal, they hazard too much in perusing all
that come to hand in order to select those
that may be read with safety. 1t is the OBJ
iect of this article to point out the evils Of
indiscriminate and promiscuous novel read
ing--that kind Of reading which is most
general in the present day. And,
lst 1t is detrimental to taste. This may
be regarded as general objection, under
which several minor ones may be ranged.
In the acquisition of knowledge one half
depends on the discreet selection of books
and the desultoriness with which they are
read. We are governed in the former by
taste: hence the Importance of forming a
good taste. The effect Of novel reading is
rather to destroy good taste, or to form
vicious one, and create morbid appetite
for works written in an ornate style,
Astounding in sickly sentiment, and fitted to
entertain a diseased Imagination, and to
cherish injurious passions.
| In a well-written fiction there is interwo-
ven so much that is beautiful and fascina-
ting, that young persons often feel them
selves bound to the pages as if by enchant-
ment. The descriptions of natural scene
ry-of lake, lawn, and forest-of villa, cas-
tie, and city, are so high wrought that they
cannot fail to please. And then the rare
adventures by land and sea, hair bredth es-
capes, sudden reverses of fortune, heart
rending separations and miraculous meet
ings, in connection with high-wrought por-
traitures of peerless beauty, and extrava.
giant deineations of character, all have
tendency to crafty by excitement. From
such scenes, tragic or comic, the reader
turns reluctantly to moral. scientific, and
historical works. And although he may be
convinced that works of fiction will not in
crease his store Of useful knowledge, or
furnish material for profitable reflection, or
make the decline Of life rich in thought,
still, under a most unaccountable infatua-
ton. Roln is laid aside for Scott; Plutarch,
and Hume are displaced by Bulwer; Blair,
Addison, Howe, and Watson are covered
with dust, while the works of James, Coo
per, and "Boz," are worn to shreds by con-
slant use.
The taste for light reading increases with
indulgence, until all relish for useful books
are destroyed. Then the most profound
works are regarded as too dry for perusa
While the individual is young, and every
object around him is flashing in the sun
light of hope, this light reading may salts
fy him. But as time steals on, and the
light assumes more sober aspect, he will
probably lose his relish for these unsubstan-
tials, and in hoary age he will be furnished
with no treasures of imperishable know-
edge upon which to draw for pleasing re.
Election. How cherries and barren must
be the "sere and yellow leaf" of one who
has thus squandered the golden moments Of
early years without laying up good foun-
dati9n against the time &c come
1t Iii gnt easily be shown, in connection
with these observations, that novel reading
goes far, not only to destroy the taste for
useful studies, but also to destroy the poloer
of severe mental application. The mind
becomes ungovernable, and it is found ex-
tremely difficult, if not impossible, to con-
fine il to close thought, in the investigation
of a subject. 1t shrinks from mental Ia
Dor, and will not submit to the restraints
which are imposed upon it in laborious and
patient study.
.. NOuel reading disqualifes for the ar
duous duties and stern realities of life.