The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1845-10-02
For the Voice of Freedom.
READING. No. 3.

D.. Many, who ad init the importance Of a
- extensive acquaintance with books, eXcus
their ignorance on the plea OF a want O
q opportunity. One individual urges th
! want OF suitable books as an apology 70
, limited attainmenls, while a second pIead
the want Of time. Ii will be the object o
the present communication briefly 10 con
slider these two objections land we think
they are the only two that can be urged
with any degree of propriety) against the
attainment of that high degree of in,eli-
gence which we have eudeavored to ad-
vocae.
We commence with the first obstacle
to be surmounled the want Of necessary
books 1t should BE- remembered that .he
value and extent OF our knowledge does
not depend so much on the number of
books, with which we are acquainted as
upon their character aud the manner 10
which we read them. We may read much
and yet be destitute of wisdom, or, we
may by becoming familiar with a few
worka Of real mer! be familiar with
great variety Of subjects. If the reader
would be carefuI TO make good selection
and then read understandingIy, the great
object of familiarity with books might be
obtained at triajng expense. If each
| yOULg Gentleman in the country would
expeud one half the money for books that
he wastes on foolish amusements, we VEN
tore 10 assert that he would not only pos
sess a valuable library but would soon be
ostonshed atthe extent Of his requirements.
! If ii should be urged that there is a want
Of ability 10 purchase the few necessary
works, then resort may be had TO other
expedlcnls. Let all such patronize circu.
! la!lng Libraries =; or, what is far better let
small number OF young men of congo
MAJ tastes. whose pursuits fix them wih-
IN a convenient distance OF each other,
club together and purchase books suitable
for their improvement. Ia this way walls
liable reading matter might be placed
within the reach of all. This plan would
not only be practicable, but easily carried
INTO execution; for where can we find
hall dozen young men of common enter.
prize, whose united efforts would not each
year be sufficient 10 provide literary matter
enough for the profitable employment Of
all their leisure tine? And all this mic hi
be accomplished with The money now
thrown away. But those who plead a
want OF time for mutual improvement are
far more numerous than those who plead
a want OF books. We admit that the bu-
siness engagements of most men Should be
sufficient 10 occnpy most of their time but
were we 10 inquire if they do not spend
useless time ilthey do not find lime for
amusement, if they do not find time for
useless conversation, if they do not spend
more time in sleep than nature requires,
we imagine but few could answer all
these questions in The negative. Until an
individual can, there is no good reason
why he should not be adding 10 his store
Of knowledge.
1t is a great mistake 10 suppose that in
order TO read probably, any great period
Of time is necessary. If we will but ac>
custom ourselves to improve every spare
moment--to devote the intervals tina, oc-
cur in our business 10 such pursuits, the
amount OF time thus saved and the amount
Of valuable information thus acquired 10
one year would greatly astonish any one
not accustomed 10 this kind of economy.
If your business lnterferes with your lite
rary pursuits just try it, and, our word for
i, you will be gratified with the result.
In conclusion we will say to all, be IA
mjiar with your books-waste none OF
your time in amusement or 10 useless
sleep, bul devote all you can spare to the
cultivation OF your moral and Intellectual
powers and you will reap rich reward
for your industry. w.
Leicester, Sept. IS, 1916.
For the Voice of Freedom.