Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1852-07-14
GRAND HAVEN, MICHIGAN, WEDNESDAY, JULY IA, 1852.
NOVEL-READING.

NOV
| It is generally conceded that some Of the
finest fruits of the finest minds are found in this
field of literature, encumbered, it is true, with
ponderOus heaps of the most vile trash. One in
a thousand of these volumes may, perhaps be
read with some profit, and no serious injury,
while four hundred and ninety-nine of the res
idue are so frivolous as to render their perusal
criminal waste of time. The other five hun
dred will be found positively injurious in vari-
Gus ways.
Habitual novel-reading is detrimental to the
health and vigor of the body. Nature will not
be robbed with impunity of a requisite amount
offood, air, rest and sleep. Reprisals are always
made where the hours Of night are devoted to
this exercise.
The nervous system, moreover, being intim-
ately connected with the brain, becomes the pre-
dominating system during the period of youth,
because this predominance is necessary to the
proper development and increase of the body
Now that strong excitement of feelings, occa-
stoned by works of fiction, has tendency to
produce such predominance of the nervous sys-
tenn as permanently to generate the most afflict-
i've nervous diseases
Novel-reading prevents strong symmetrical
development of the mental powers. In young
auiCo, CSpCCldiiy, w tlt ScHSlDlIlllCS lIldU-
nation need to be repressed rather than stimu-
lated, while the understanding and judgment re-
quire the most assiduous cultivation. Hannah
Moore says truly, that youth need more ballast.
The education, however, which is afforded by
works OF fiction, consists in crowding more sail
than the craft can carry.
An eager perusal of light literature destroys
all taste for solid reading. Control over the
thounhta q iS loSt uhila fba u,;t oh of
romance are floating through the mind. Histor-
ical, scientific, and especially religious works,
become nsipid and dull. The habit of receiving
pleasure, without any exerton of thought, by
the mere excitement of fcuriosity and sensibility,
may be justly ranked among the worst effects
of habtual novel-reading. 1t cannot but be in
furious to the human mind never to be called in
to action. Under circumstances of perpetual in
action. it willis and withers like the muscles of
an arm which is always unused.
Novel-reading tends to infame the passions,
polute the imagination and corrupt the heart
Moral sense is weakened by the false sentiments
they inculcate. Even the better class are want
ing in true religious principle They may not
oppose, or directly denounce religion, but they
make it appear unnecessary, by exhibiting vir-
tue sufficiently perfect without it. They delin-
cate the most pious characters, and represent
them under the most affecting circumstances,
passing through the most trying scenes, till they
enter joyfuly the eternal state without the sus-
taing power of vital godliness. The sentiment
talsm of romance presents no motives to action
so pure and exalted as the teachings of Christ
On the contrary, the vier class ofnovels actually
teach and commend the most glaring vices. A
recent author has truly said, "They paint for
our imitation humane murderers, licentious
saints, holy in6dels, and honest robbers. Over
Oathsome women and unutterably vile men, is
thrown the checkered light of hot imagination
until they glow with an Internal lustre"
Novel-reading is Objectionable, because it cre-
ates an unnatural and morbid TASTE 1t frequent.
ly becomes an inveterate habit, strong and fatal
rs that Of the drunkard. In this state of mental
intoxication, great waywardness of conduct is
almost sure to follow. Even where the habit
is renounced, and genuine reformation takes
place, the individual often suffers the cravings
of former excitement.
Novel-reading lays the foundation for sad rup-
lures in the domestic relations of life. The Ia
dy who revels in fiction, may possess the pow
er, through fancy and feeling, to attract, to in
terest, to please, to charm, to win but her reign
over the affections will generally be short, be-
cause her character affords no solid basis of trust
and confidence.
In conclusion, the practice of which we speak
is to be deprecated because it raises extravagant-
y high expectations in the youthful mind and
then dooms them to utter disappointment. The
novelist paints beauty in colors more charming
than nature, and describes bliss more ecstatic
than man ever tastes. Thus the young are
taught to despise the good which God has min
ged in their cup of blessings, while they sigh
in vain for beauty and happiness which nev-
er existed in world that is nigh unto cursng
whose end is to be burned. The world of ro-
nance differs so essentially from the real rough
and stormy world of life, that few can dwell for
years in the enchanted fairy revelations, of the
one and then cheerfully descend to the dull
dusky and discordant scenes of the other.
Mothers Assistant
WATER DRINKING-Prof. Siman closed
recent Smithsonian lecture in Washington, by
giving the following sensible advice to young
men:
"If therefore, you wish for a clear mind strong
muscles and quiet nerves, and long life and pow
er prolonged into old age, permit me to say, al
though am not giving temperance lecture, a.
void all drinks but water, and mild infusions of
that Hnid shun tohocco and onium and everv-