Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1853-09-25
Narel Reading

y q prevailing Dciief tat novel reading exposes the
reader to- danger It ridicrfousIy salse 10 saw
that ths Is the belief only Of the bigoted and irsr.
row-minded. Oliver Goldsmith. himself writer
Of novels. in letter 10 brothes, on the edassion
of his sons. thus records his earnest testiaonv:-
above all things never let him touch roHanee or
a novel; The article on novels in Rees Encyelo-
pedia after reviewing some If the mast eminent
noselists, issummed up As follows: From this view
OF the best authors in the highest class OF novel
writing il Is evident that the per,sa Of these works
is more calculated to be prejudicsl than adganiage-
ous, unless the mnd is previously fortified with
sound principles, and the passions aud feelings are
completely under the control Of the judgemeuts-
Saws the Dublin University Magazine. specialized
French novels These books have become almost
necessary hlxury to those who read without plan,
and for the amusement OF the passing hour; but we
do not hesitate to say that such works exert most
encrvaing and deteriorating moral influence" II IS
useless 10 deny that the same sentiments are held
by large proportion of the most excellent. the
most candid, and the best informed. This very fact
is presumptiye evidence Of danger which Il would
be rashneSs to disregard
There Is another reasonable cause of alarm to
the novel reader, which meets US before we begin
to inquire into the works themselves. 1t Is found
in Instances Of ruin caused by novel reading. Says
writer, a1he case am TO state came under my
own observation In college he was for three years
my room mate. His powers of mind were of a
high order. He was one of the best writer's Of the
largest class which had ever entered that Univer-
sity. He was afterwards settled as pastor over
large and Aourishing congregation in the largest
city in our land. in this work he was remarkably
successful After a time he became editor Of an
important religious periodical. which he sustained
with great acceptance and most happy results. AT
length, after years Of useful labor suspicion was
excited as TO his moral character. Upon investi-
gatien, disclosures were made which proved him TO
he a ruined man lie had taken of the intoxics-
ting cup. and was guilty Of other acts which shut
him cut forever from the ministry \ political pa
per in New IOrk city stated the fact OF hrs fall.
and imputed il to his evangelical sentiments. He
saw that iulputatiOn and replied to il in a most
touching manner. He admitted the fact Of his rum
in tones of deep anguish. He then confessed the
true cause. II was thc reading Of novels. There
hogan his downward career. There were 6rSt cher
ished his unhallowed impressions. Thence he was
led TO drink the Intoxicating cup. knew his hab-
its in college. lie was then excessively fond OF
reading the works of Byron Scott. and others Of
similar character These he read at FIRST, he said
to improve his style of writing. He soon acquired
love for such reading, and was at length eatrely
overcome and ruined by it, He IS, now. poor man,
in his grave, and gone 10 his final account Bat
for novels be might have been faithful and use
ful minister of Christ, blessing 10 the Church
comfort to his family and large circle Of respect
ed friends"
A'beautifuI girl Of nineteen years, member OF
a popular bOardingschOol left her room in the mid'
de of a wintry night. and drowned herself in
meighboring stream In a letter to her teacher,
few hours before her death she left this honest
fession; Il have read too many novels for my good.
Some, perhaps. might have read them without IN
jury; but il has affected me. hook around and
see those that are no better aud have no wealthar
parents, educated. They can stand as high IN so
cety as the wealthiest. Why is il, Because their
friends feel an interest in their welfare. This re-
minds me Of things that have rpsid about" -
While prosecuting her trade as a dreSsmaker, she
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