The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1857-10-15
tEs.zrteQ MisrelIanlJ,
EsusHi1l Cpo1p literature.
From .Elencrts Of Drawing"

n2l.y Foltt , diSS5S tJt- ~4io y - - -
nuch aIe.t4l by youc taste IN literature
Inaesd. ] kccg mauy persons who have
the par2st .gyta ia literature and yet false
taste in at, and it is phenomenon Thich
uuzzlos me not little; but | have never
known any one With false taste in books,
aad true taste IN pietures. II IS also o
the greatest importance to you, not only
for srt's sake, but forall kinds Of sake, IL
these Days Of book deluge, to keep out OF
the salt awarrps Of literature, and i've on
the little rocky island Of your own With
spring and lake in it, pure and good
/ canaot, Of o3uraa, suggest the choice Of
your library to you; every several mind
needs different books; but there are 5one
books that we all need, and sssuredly, f
you read Homer, Plato, -E.3ohylus, lie
roiotas, Dante, Shakespeare, and Sponsor,
as much a9 you ought, you will no5 re-
qpire vide enlargement Of shelves 10 the
right aR@ left ol ltham for parFatpal stndy.
Among modern books avoid generally
1nss4siua aad review literature, Some
tilnss 1t nay oo4t1th useful abridgeue4t
or wholesome piece Of criticism; but the
chances ara te0 70 one it viii either waste
your time or plisIca3 you. II you vaat
70 understand any subject whatever, read
The best book upon It you can hear Of;
not review Of tbs book. II you doa't
Ike the frst book you try, sooh for a1oth-
er; bat do not hope ever to understand
the subject without pains, By the review
prs help. Avoid eaeaoialIy hat class Of
literature which has a knowing tone; It IS
the most poisonous Of al. Every good
book, or piece Of beok, IS full of a3nira-
tion and awe; it may contain irn assertion
or stern satire, but it nsvor sneers co.dIy
nor asserts haugttly, and It alwsys ieads
rou to reverence or love something With
your whole heart. Il is net always easy
IA distinguish the satire Of the veoomous
rare of books from the satire Of the noble
and pure one; but il general you may no.
tice that the cold blooded Crustaoean and
Batracoan books viii sneor at sentiment
and the Barm-blooIed, human books 1t sin.
Then, in general, the more YOU restr8in
ypur serious reading to reflective or lyric
poetry, history, and natural history, avoid
ing fiction and drama, tho healthier your
r,ind will become. Of modern poetry
ksepto Scott, Woodwork, Keats, Cr4bbc,
TeGnyson, the Two BroHnings, Lowell,
Longfellow, and Coventry Pstmore,
whose CANCEL IN tho Uous5" y the most
enished piece Of wiling, and the sweet
ct analysis w. possess OF quiet modern
domestic feeling; while Mrs. Browniog's
"Aurora Leigh" is, as far as I know, the
greatest poem which the oentuay has pro
duced il any language. Cast aside Cclo-
ridge at once, as siokiy and useless, and
Shellsy, as shallow and verbose; Byron,
until your taste is fully formed, and you
are able TO discern the naguiGcence in
him from the wrong. Never read bad or
common poetry, nor write any yourself /;
there is perhaps, rather too much than too
little in tie world already.
Of reflective prose, read chiefly Bacon,
johnson, and Helps Carlyle is hardly
to be named as writer for beginners, u
because his teaching, though to some Of
rs vitality necessary, may to others be
hurtful. If you understand aud like hils,
read him; If he oIends you, you are not
yet ready for him, and perhaps may ne7-
er be so; at all events, give him up, IS
YOU would soa-bathing If you found it
hurt you, till you are stronger. OfGotion
rad Sir Charles Grindison, Scott S novels,
Miss Edgeworth' s, and ii you are youQg Z
lady, Madame dc Genlis :, the french
Miss Edgeworth, making these mean
your constant companions. OF course
you must, CT will, read other books for
aupsen.ent, once or twice; but You viii
ind that these have an clement Of per-
1etuity in them, existing 10 nothing else
OF the kind; while their peculiar quie.uess
AID ropose Of manner will also be of the
greatest value IL teaching you to feel the
same characters in art. heed a little al
time, trying to feel interest in lIttlo things
and reading not so much for the sake oi
the story as to get acquainted with the
pleasant people to whose company these
writers bring you. 4 common book will
2 cttsn give yVu much amusement, but !. is
only noble book which vii give you q
dear friend. Remember also that it Is OF
legs Importance TO yoI il your earlier
years that the books you urcod dshouId be cIev-
er than that the should be right. d.
not mean oppressivoly o. repylIsiveiy il
etr1otiye: hut that tie thoughts thew cx-