The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1858-02-08
Preiudiess Against Book Learning
rhs Heohanicas Association.


Prsjudisss Against Book Learning
The Mschanies' Assocfation.
AZ ths recent inauguration Of the Boston Public
Library, Hon Inward Everett delivered an ora
tfos In when he commented upon the vague
prejudice still floating about in the community
against what 10 called book learning, upon the
doubts sometimes Expressed Of the utility of pab-
lie Libraries, aud the opinions which some enter
saia that they are: rther ornamental than necss.
sary or useful. kind Of satisfaction, Mr.. Everett
said 10 still felt 10 holding up the example Of self
taught men, in supposed centradstinction from
those who have got their knowledge from books,
aud no example 10 more frequently quoted than
that Of Franklin, to show the inability Of book
learning, because he had scarce any school educa-
tion and never went to college.
Mr.. Everett then proceeded to show very con-
elusiveiy that never was there greater mistake
in point Of fact, and that q passionate thirst for
books sas one Of the moat marked traits in the
character ofBepJamin franklin from bis cradle to
his grave Hs quotes the following from Frank
lin's autobiography:
"Yrom my rsYAscY was passionately fond of rea-
ding, aud all the money that canis into my hands
was laid out ia purchasing books. l was very
fond Of voyages. My arst acquisition was Bun
yans works. Ia separate little volumes l after
Rhetorical CbUectioas. They were small chapman's
books and cheap, forty volumes In all My faith
ers little library consisted chiefly Vi books IN po
lemie divinity, most OF which read. l have OF
ten regretted land this is q sentence which might
be inscribed on the lofty cornices of those noble
eoiumns) that at time when bad such thirst
for knowledge, more proper books had not fallen
in my way. There was among them Plutarch's
Lives, which read abundantly, and still think
that time spent to great advantage. There was
also book Of Defoe's, called an 'Essdy on Pro
5ects, and another OF Dr. Msther's, called an "Es-
say tc;fo 0ood.'-whieh-dd what siri For am now
going to give you in Frank Inns own words (they
carry with them the justification of every dollar
expended la raising these wails,) the original Sc
cret Of his illustrious career-what was the effect
produced by reading these two little books of De-
foe and Cotton Mathsr' they perhaps gave me q
turn Of thinking, which had an influence on some
Of the principal future events of MY life."'
Mr.. Everett then presented to the Association a
copy Of Pranklin's Autobiography, in Sparks edi
ton, ~ q New Years Gift, and made motion that
every person present be requested, on going home,
TO select one good book, aud In memory of the
poor boy, who half fed himself to crafty his taste
for readng, present it as New Years Gift to the
Boston Public Library. This motion was seconded
by Hon. Mr.. Winthrop, and the motion having
been duly put by the Mayor, who presided, una
hiuoas and EN- phatie aye Was given by the vast
audience. MIR. Everett afterwards stated that the
accommodating fund which Franklin bequeath ed to
the city, now exceeds seventy thousand dollars.
The subject thus presented by Mr.. Everett, is CT
interest In own city, where spirited exertion
has been made during the last few years to esta-
bl!sh, on permanent foundations, Mechanics AS
ISOLATION, and 10 endow it with the of build
Ing hall suitable to its purposes aud to provide
a public library and schools for young mechanics.
We commend the extracts we have made from Mr.
Everett's address, to the attention Of citi
sens, "a presenting considerations in behalf of the
MeehaDics Association, which they should lay to
heart. A few public spirited individuals have hi
therto sustained the whole heat and burthen Of an
enterprise which concerns the common good, and
In which the whole community should rejoice to
take part. If this Association should afford the
means Of educating only one youth, endowed by
nature with superior capacities, it would prove
blessing worthy all tho labor aud cost of this be-
hsvolsnt enterprise. But when consider that
It will elevate one of tho most valuable, though
long neglected, classes of the community, render.
ing them more efficient In their VOCATION and pre-
pared to add largely to the general stock of useful
knowledge, We cannot see how any liberal and pa
triOtic man can withhold his action and substan.
tisi aid from the undertaking. The fine talk that
We hear every day about passionate devotion to
the interests and glory OF Virginia, accords lily
with the lukswarnness aud apathy long mani
Tested iu every practical for the regenera-
ton Of this State, and for the improvement and
efficiency of those working classes, upon whom
the strength and prosperity of every community
depend.