The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1849-06-06
NJ, .

Dr,DDSe to resume oar remarks Oh tlc sdliic
topic.
In addition 10 The evils already cnumera-
ted, as resulting from this class of reading. II
is obvious, that, i, produces dtsncl'not'on
for tho pursuits of solid literature. Tales ot
fiction. never appeal to the thiaEing man.
They call for no previous knowledge. eX-
ccpt the simple Art ..rrcadng; and any i':'ng
like snbc: though, o. rational inquiry is en-
cluded from the provncc which this class "f
qualifications has us,irred. The consequence.
Is, that an cfferninacy of intellect is prodnccd.
rs the body inerva,ed by disease, loses all
relish for strong and nnurishing food, So tho
mind, "nurse,l on fancy's lap may indeed
grow into grace and bean,y, hut its maScu-
line chatacicr will be gone. Fancy'S visions
win absnrb the attention due to sober rca-
SON: and fiction. will cngrosS the time. which
oushlst, have been employed in tho produc-
ton of truth.
Again, novcl.rcading units The mind, TO
an alarming extent, for the ordinary duties
oflife. Human life is no, dream, mere
ideal existence, but solemn reality. In
dispensably connected with IT. are important
duties: and't great end of life is answered
only 50 far as these duties arc performed.
But the effect of novel reading, as every one
a, all coaversant with the subcc; is aware,
is, very mitch 10 indIsposc the mind Tor the
matter of fact business of life. An ideal
w,rid is created, in which the Imagination
delights TO luxuriate; and so powerful Is the
Influence which these mere representations
.nf fancy have npon the youihfm mind, es'
peciafly; as 10 lead to the persuasion. that
the pleasing incidents which ii conlcnpacs,
NAV actually occur in its own history. The
consequence is. that all necessary cxcr'l"ns,
for the support of life. are para!yzcd; and
the disappointed Visionary is left, p great
measure, to dream away his existence.
The .Cm,lessions" of Rousseau furnish a
mechanically illustration in point. - cher
rished for myself" he remarks, 'the situations
whiciihad interested me in my reading. ]
recalled them, varied them, and so appr"prl
a.ed them, until became one of the persons
whom / imagined, until saw myself in the
situation most agreeable to my tastc-untIl,
in fine. the fictitious state into which | came.
caused me to forget my real condition. with
which was 50 discontcn!cd. This love os
Imaginary Oh iects, and this facility OF occu-
pying myself. occasioned me disgust OF all
that surrounded me, and formed that taste
for solitude which retain To this day" lie
further says; The impossiblty of finding
real beings adapted to my taste, threw me
into achi:ncrical world, and seeing nothing
of positive existence, which was worthy OF
nv ,delirium, / cherished it in The ideal
world which my creative Imagination very
sonn peopled beings adapted to my taste.
Forgetting altogether The human race, ere
ated for myself a society of perfect crea.
tnres, ccleles,ia, as well by their virtues. as
by their beautv,-of friends sure. tender, and
faithful, such as have never found them on
earth"
Such are the confessions Of this unhappy
man; and how effectually. in his case, did
the perusal Of works Of fiction dIvest life of
It's sober realities, and substitute in their place
the over-wrought pictures of the lmag'na
ton!
NoveLreading involves criminal con-
sumption Of time. We say criminal; for.
most assuredlv, in the estimation of every
one but the infatuated novcl-rcadrr himself,
the time devoted toths kind of reading might
mane. should he occupied in far more prot
table way. Yet such is the influence winch
tales Of fiction. highly wrought and well
constructed. have upon the mind. that. no,
nnlv whole days. but even whole nights.
have been consumed in their pcruSal. The
tale once commenced. the infatuated reader
is held spellbnuml, through successive plots
and sccncs, until the las, passes IN review.
Tho claims of
"Tired Natures sweet restorer balmy Sleep
Are disrcgarded; anil the hours which na-
ture demands should be devoted TO the re-
pose Of the body, are consumed n,hc peru
sal Of such works. Is it right tn appropr-
ale 80 much time to such an oh ec? Is ii
right Tor the young. especially 10 doit! 'Ear!y
life is The favorable period for storing the
mind with useful knowledge, charging tho
intellectual capacity, and forming the char
,actcr.n But, if this favorable period bc
dissipated.- and what more calculated to
do il than devotion to nnvc'rcadmg!-aIl
these important ends, Qhe attainment OF
which. are so ne cessary to future usefulness
and distinc,ion,) will be frustrated.
Novel.readng conveys false and danger.
GUS sentiments in reference TO the novel
character of human existence. Man is
placed here on trial for cternIty--ihis life is
but the rest,bule of another, and endless state
of being; and, consequently, the present is
ore of moral probation. "lt is scene ofspir,
i,ual conflict, the result Of which infinitely
interesting.
Immortal honors reward the victor, eternal
iulamy awaits the vanguishcd' With this
condition of our being, every thIng around
us CORE spends. The part Of wisdom, there
fore. is no direct our views towards that ulti