Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1844-02-08

British AUTHORS furnish forth noble array oil
standard historical works extending over all ma
tons and ages, reple,e with lessons OF wisdom, c
stately and ornate in style, rich in specimens OF Il
glowing eloquence, recording the deliberations 4
and proceedings Of the mos, august assemblies,
narra,ing the exploits Of the mos, renowned OF
men and tracing step by step the progress of the
principles of freedom, law, good government,
truth. science and religion. And the historians Of a
America compare so nobly with those Of Britain
,ba, we NAV well say, there are few prouder |,
Names I
Even in her own proud cline"
The Biography Of dislinguished individuals ex- ,
hibits the experience Of others by which we may
proftably guide our own; the hopelessness oil
their early prospects, the difficulties they had to
encounter, the struggles to endure the dark hours
of disappointment and despair, the hcart-slckness
of unsucccss, the final triumph achieved by perse-
vering ndefaiigable resolution and an iron WILL
the gradual bu' rarelyfaing change of character
produced by prosperity, the constantly occurring
vicssi,udes of human affairs, the answering fldei
ity of real and cold heartessness OF scanning friend
ship arc all portrayed in distinct and minute de-
tails, serving beacons to warn US from, or lure
us to- an imitation thereof
The higher p oems brstow an almost exhaust |
less fund of,hougbt and most pleasing and USE
fu command Of Language in all its strength and
beauty. (Here however enter my protest a
gans the miserable rhyming, with its sickly SEN
timentaism, jingling sing.song and false morality
so much IN vogue,-a species OF composition per-
petrated chiefly by love-lorn SWANS and venerable
spinsters who wreak their vengeance on society
by publishing these precious models of an imbe-
Gle literature. From the perusa of such stuff we
rise thoroughly sickened and dsheartened-we
had expected a banquet and are fed within
anthony The Drama gives cooquial ease and
quickness of apprehension. The Sciences with
their appliances for the mechanical agricultural
and social conveniences of life, permeate all the
masses of society. Essays produce methodica
+ and pleasing thonghlfuness Legislative Debates
rouse a spirit Of emulation and thirst for more
general knowledge Law Commentaries enlarge
the understanding, give acuteness and discrimina
ton, and mpart clear views Of the principles oil
government and of individual rights Newspa-
+ pers make their readers emphatically citizens OF
he world Think every father ola family who
a does not supply that family with one really valua
Bile newspaper practises most miserable parsmo-
h n.y. The increasing circulation of sound pollti-
cal and agricultural newspapers in this section,
l. regard as sure indication ofhe increasing intel
gence and sense OF .hccommunity The writings
IF and speeches of the great fathers Of American lib
erty and laws, as also those of the great English
it statesmen ought not to be omitted for they in
deed among the best specimens of intellectual
/. greatness extant.
There is one fact connected with this subject
which cannot look upon but with feelings of re-
gret and deep humiliation l refer to the pauci-
ty and meagerness of the private Libraries of our
agricultural gentlemen. Look at them con-
e. temptible number of school and religious books,
mot very expensive nor very good) an almanac,
Two or three anliquated, third-rate love-and-mur-
der novels, Operating far as they go to vitato
their childrens taste for readine) and what ese2
"a beggarly account of empty shelves" Shame
shame that men who are worth their thousands
should suffer their children to grow up without
habits of useful readiag. For be assured that the
character and extent of our libraries are unfailng
induces of the character and extent OF our
thoughts With the advantages of winter school
ing and winter evening reading none of our young
men Ountt 10 SIoW up "Hho"'o 6o'N
- the history Of our country nd It's great men
and general knowledge Of the history of other
civilizei countries LIE, our farmers look TO Thu;
matter ofther Libraries les, they have the north
cation Of finding themselves inferior to others in in
lelligence, social influence and political power
: notice that during the last fiscal year, in thu
State of New York 3d., 90 ofthe intere st accrnn
from the United States Surplus Fund was appro
% priated to the purchase Of District School Libra
is ries Would it no, be we'll for this State justly
10 proud of her exemptions from debt to deyoi
Ia some part of her funds 10 the same object 1t u
nd matter of almost proverb that many of our mos
ia. eminent men rise from the humblest walks
of life were all our School Districts supplied wit
,e well-.selected, ever-growing and well-resnlae
,q libraries accessible all, how many of the poo
10, now thirsting for that knowledge which pover
i, prevents their attaining would come forth to bles
,r. and adorn society Will not The real friends
N. knowledge, common schools, and the poor, rous
oe and bestir themselves in this matter
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