Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1858-11-01
CITY & NEWS ITEMS
MONDAY MORNING, NOV. /, 1888.

FRIvoLOUs AaUsEMENTs vs. MENTAL CULTURE
-rHINGs THAT ARR, BUT SHOULD NOT BE.-THINGs
THAT ARE NOT, BUT SHOULD Be- presume
shall be very far from standing alone, when l say
that have been frequently led 10 reflect on the
liberal patronage bestowed on the continual influx
of exhibitions which crowd into our city, and The
large amount Of ready cash which they take out Of
it, Gu bono l must not, however, be under
stood to object 70 lectures on Science or Art, nor
to performances which combine instruction with
amusement, and whose tendency is TO ennoble,
rather than to debase the mind. That this last is
the effect OF large portion of the sights and sounds
for which the public are, almost daily, impor'
tuned to expend their money, mus be obvious to
every candid observer 1t would be difficult, per-
haps impossible, TO form a correct estimate Of the
thus expended yearly in our city; it is doubt
less, large one, and is it not fair inference that,
but for the temptation held out by tinerant sing
ers, ddnssurS and Grtis!es of various grades much
of the money spent these pests of society would
be devoted TO a far better purpose.
These reflections have been more especially call.
ed up by consideration of the little support given
to the Cleveland Library Association, an institu-
tion which, looking at the advantages it is de-
signed to afford, and the influence, for good, it is
calculated to exert upon society," can hardly be too
highly estimated. For our fair city to be without
public library and reading room would be suiii-
cieatly disgraceful, but that such an institution
should exist in our midst and be so i'll supported is
a great reproach Can it be that Clevelanders are
ignorant of the privileges to be enjoyed in eX-
change for a subscription Of 50 per anuum-less
than four cents q weekl Surely if known they
would be better appreciated! Let US see then
what Is offered in exchange for this trivial outlay
A library comprising more than four thousand
volumes, containing many of the choicest works Of
European and English literature, continual increase
to which is only limited by the resources of the
association which it is obvious must mainly depend
on the amount raised by annual subscriptions.
The Reading Room is supplied with some forty
American newspapers, the London Times and L.
lustrated News, and Canadian papers. OF Maga-
zines aud Reviews, home and foreign, monthly and
quarterly, there is goOdly number. There is too
a courteous and gentlemanly Librarian, W. j. TAFT,
ALWAYS ready to answer questions, and respond TO
the wishes of members The need of appreciation
has been well earned by Mr.. TAFT for his un-
firing efforts on behalf OF the Association.
In addition to his accustomed duties, which are
sufficiently arduous, his energies were severely
taxed by bringing ''order out of confusion in re-
storing the library to its wOnted state after the fire
which took place in the building in August last A
large umbe- OF books required te be re bound,
newly covered and marked, and the whole classified
and placed in their previi is situations. The super
intendence of this work. aud small portion Of
the actual labor, deyolving on himself That the
confidence repOsed in him by the Board of Direct
ors has not been misplaced visit to the rooms will
soon determine,
There remains yet TO be noticed one advantage
which is afforded by the Association to its men,
bsrs namely, the provision of course of lectures,
on literary and scientific subjects by men of dis
tinguished talents and emnence in their profession.
First ard foremost for the coming season stands
Lieutenant Maury, the world renowned explorer of
tue depths of the ocean, and the successful heorst
of the phenomena of the "wild tornado" This
will be the opening lecture, and viii take place
towards the end OF November. The names Of the
other taleuted speakers before the public, and
will doubtless. commend themselves TO the appro-
baton Of all who design ayaling themselves of .the
feast of reason. which this course Of lectures is
calculated to afford
A FRIEND TO LITERATURE.
Der. %, 1858.