Muscatine journal. [volume] (Bloomington, Iowa) 1849-185?, 1853-09-02

'NoSo0io'ioh III this city HAS Deen frequently
discussed, but always without any thing ef-
fectual being accomplished. We find that
other cities in this State have been doing
something more than talking, and have al.
ready excellent circulating Libraries estab-
Used. Even in the interior of the State, in
small inland towns, young men of enter
prise and energy, have taken the matter in
hand, and arc determined that Library AS
sociations shall be formed, and that too,
immediately.
The benefits arising from such institu-
tions are well known. There are but few
families in this city that have well selected
library, Or one that numbers many volumes !;
neither are such things expected in new
States. Now, few dollars from each fam
ily-which sum of itself would not procure
hardly reading matter enough for long
winter evening-would purchase library
Of books, sufficient to occupy the time of
every family for number of winters.
Parents whose children spend their even
ings in loafing round stores and groggeries,
would do well to take this matter into con-
sideration, for by giving it their attention,
in after years it may save them deal of
trouble and anxiety. The young people
must have something to engage their mind,
and if they cannot find anything that will
be beneficial to them in after life, they will
certainly find something that will be an in
jury to them. Their time must be employed
in some manner, and by early imbibing a
healthy thirst for books, they will the best
prepare themselves for the duties of life,
let their calling be what it may. The time
has been when it was thought necessary to
educate only certain class of individuals,
but those days have long since passed, and
in every known avocatl,n, mind well read
in the standard works of the day, is ALWAYS
the better abl= to discharge its duties easier
and more satisfactory.
Young ladies, too, naturally acquire a
habit for reading, and that desire should
never be thwarted by want of suitable
books. II they cannot procure works that
arc useful and instructive, they are always
certain of finding an abundance of the yell
low cover literature, which when too lavish
ing of, yitiates the tastes and corrnpts the
manners Of their readers. To the ladies
then We say, such an association will be of
incalculable benefit, and we believe that
without your assistance, it cannot be brought
about. Bring to bear your potent inau-
ence upon the purses of the young men,
and the project will be sure to succeed.
All our citizens should feel themselves
interested in this matter, and should make
that interest apparent by lending their ma
terial aid and influence in the establishment
Of this association. Money San never be
used for more beneficial purposes, railroads
not excepted. We fear our citizens are so
interested in the construction of railroads,
that they will not take time to give this
subject serious consideration. This should
not be, for however important railroads
may be considered in o pecuniary point of
view, they ought not to push every other
project aside.
If only small library Of few hundred
volumes 10 raised in the outset, it can and
will gradually be increased until it will
present very respectable appearance. The
first great move will be to form the associa-
ton, and then employ means to raise the
library. In the winter lecturers can be en-
ployed, and our citizens treated to intellec-
tual banquets as often as once week du-
ring the winter. This mode of imparting
instruction and information is becoming
quite prevalent throughout the whole coun-
try. Indeed it is considered the surest and
least expensive way of gaining knowledge
in these go-ahead times. Hundreds of per-
sons that could not be induced to look into
books, would deem it privilege to listen to
an evenings lecture. A well informed lee
turcr would impart more knowledge in an
hours time than could be gained from books
in whole month.
Then again, in this manner, alibrary can
bepiocured without the people feeling an
encroachment upon their purses. A society
thus formed, could engage the services Of
a lecturer, who would be sustained by our
citizens by well filled houses. A certain
portion of the proceeds arising from each
lecture would be applied to paying the lee
turer and other necessary expenses, and the
balance Qor We should always expect to
have a balance) would be appropriated to-
wards procuring the library.
Now, would not the people of Muscatine
pass a pleasant winter in this manner? Wei
help thinking they will enter into
such an arrangement with their heart and
hand, and have something done Immediate
ly. Now is the time for action, The soci-
ETY. should be formed as soon as practicable,
for it will take some time to procure lectur-
ers. They should have regular course of
lectures commenced early in the fall, and
we are quite snnguine that next spring will
find us richly repaid for such winters re-
past, besides having permanent library
Who will take the lead? There can be
no expense attendant upon the organization ,
o. such a society, and all that can be re-
quircd in the commencement is the mere
calling of meeting. Who will do it -
Gg We are obliged to I. S. Parvin for
. copy OF "Proceed:ngs of the Grand Lodge
<'2 50 .s 33 III 40