Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1850-08-22
The Family Paper.
Scientific american

The habit of expecting paper every week.
and of reading it and feeling kind of attach
ment to it, can be formed, as well as any other
habit. Some become attached TO a particular
sea, at the domestic board to the practice of at
tending church, and some acquire very obiec-
tionable habits, as regards their manners. con-
versation, &c. Let them get into habit of
taking a paper, of reading it, and paying for
it, and they will never class this among the
bad habits of life.
Mankind widely differ in many respects
but in nothing, perhaps, is the difference more
apparent than are the views which are taken
Of newspapers secular and religious Some
there are who become greatly attached to the
newspapers which they respectively take
They continue taking the same one for a great
number of years, with no thought of discontin-
uing it. 1t comes to be looked on as indis-
pensable TO the wants Of the household. All
the members of the family learn to like it and
to welcome its arrival.
And instead of supposing that the paper is
less valued because they have taken it a long
time, this very circumstance renders it ten-fold
more dear to them. A friend said to us few
days ago respecting his newspaper, I'VE like it
better and better, and don't yon think it is bet
ter than it wasr We were obliged TO confess
that there was an improvement in the paper,
but then we remarked this is not all, YOU have
changed somewhat, as well as your paper
And this is the true secret of the matter. No
one knows the worth of a paper to himself and
family simply taking it few months 1t is
quite doubtful in these cases whether the paper
is read more than half the time. We said
there was quite difference among mankind,
and it exhibited itself in the treatment be-
slowed on newspapers.
One class of men, who when the publisher
or his agent calls are by dint of urging and
coaNing persuaded to take the paper. They at
last agree to subscribe for six months or year,
pay over the money, and the paper comes. 1t
Is good paper, no fault found with it, the
wife and children like to read it. But as soon
as the time expires, these words, Please 10
stop this paper" are written on the next num-
Der, and it is returned. Many man in such
circumstances feels quite relieved; his paper
is stopped and he breathes easier. Retrench-
ment in ones expenses, when necessary, is
commendabe. but this cutting off the educa-
tional supplies of mental and moral life, when
dollars are freely expended for worse than use
less articles, is poor comment upon the Dig
nifty and discernment of human nature. In
view of such fhings, what man entitled to the
name of man, 'does not blush and hang his
head, to think himself mani 1t is sadden-
ing to know with what cool Indifference this is
done. Indifference, we say, to the mental and
educational wants of one S family Periodicals.
secular. literary, and moral, supply an educa-
tonal want which no other agency can effect.
But aside from the usefulness and impor-
tance Oh newspapers, there is another reason
why we look upon them with interest. In
these matters we have criterion bv which to
it respects constancv of friendship. 1t is this
A man who cannot continue to take a good
newspaper long enough to learn its value, does
not become attached to it by long acquain-
tance, will not be likely to be constant in friend
ship, and will not therefore have many old
friends He is fond of something new. or a,
least he likes change. Now friend worthy
of the name is not found in a day. 1t takes
time to test the real worth Of an individual
He, who discards his newspaper in the course
of few months will, quite likely, treat his ac-
quaintance in the same way There NAV be
worthy individuals in the circle of his acauain-
lance, but few of them are reciprocally init.
mate and tried friends. In short, we consider
him as knowing but little, by experience, Of
true and generous friendship On the contrary
when we find an individual who has for wears
supported his newspaper, and values it for its
age, who looks upon it as member of his
household, as an old friend and almost as q
part of himself, our fears are gone, and we are
persuaded that we have found person who is
capable, at least of appreciating the nature oi
friendship. Some may regard this as rather .