Smyrna times., 1859-11-03
Written for the Smyrna Times.
Appeal to the Youth Of the Town,

~APp0aA u Ln6 40uLl CT the Town,
MIR. EDITOR Perhaps some of our youth
. anu young men may need reminding, at this
season. OF the great facilities for mental cul.
lure available for themselves in the Public
LiOfary OF our town. Certainly very few of
'nem know that hundreds of valuable books and
room comfortably furnished, warmed and
"sn'eu' are accessible to them every evening
III tlie year for the small sum of two dollars.
anu certainly the youth of our town do not
N"o" 'hat the same facilities are accessible to
'"en' ior one dollar per year. Nay more Ger.
'alhly' the parents, and friends, and EMPLOYERS
oI youth do not know that such privileges are
a'a'iaoie' or our Reading Room would be
o'o"ueo every night with persons desiring TO
Oe Denehtted by such privileges. But. instead
VI luis oeIhg the case, cur bar rooms, and drink
'"s anu eating saloons, and other public places
ol resort are requented by the classes referred
TO- "here neither their morals are improved h
nor their intellects cultivated-yea, where both il
degenerate. Would any parent or any friend v
OF the young prefer seeing their sons or friends ?
III such places rather than engaged in perusinp ;,
'"e Pd9eS oil some good book, either around o
tnelr own family hearths or in the readinq d
room Depend upon it, their minds must he v
engaged in some kind Of thought and unless !, :. ~
Oe OF rational and viruous character. if will Ee
De the reverse. How important. then. to sun. al
ply them with the means of spending their lei @
sure hours In a rational manner! These re-
marks may be considered somewhat as a com.
amt (and so they are inteuded that the Ibrarv
5 not used as much as it ought to be. While ~
mere are many who do avail themselves of its :
privileges, there very many more who do 90
ot and ain inclined to think that it is becansa ge
hey are not more generally known to parents. BI
uardIans and employers of the youth of our % 90
own. VIII you allow me, Mr.. Editor. TO re-. ;n,
Pecttully call their attention to the subiec, try
lrough your columns ! Certainly it needs no ma
rgument nor illustration to convince tbe,n of for
ne advonfonas to bo cro;,oJ L, =. ant
..L,, ~ SUI" P'l'Heges' doV
rightly improved and it is to be hoped thai s
lr citizens Will be as eager to encourage the -
'e OF the books as they were generous and
ompt in giving for the purchase of them
lnnot every youth and young man of the town ,,
eir use Ii taste is once formed for sucb T
nPioyment there will be no difficulty after tim
ards IN securing constant patronage. VIII all
It everyone regard this as personal appeal. OIe'
d act at once in the matter! Let us have T upo
r number al least treble what it is at present VIII,
'e there not many young ladies', too, who wit
uld hnd very many volumes there that would the
only prove interesting, but instructive and M Illi
ohtable! 1t is the opinion of those who have and
amlned the Library that better collection basl
uld not well have been made for the number hav
is true, the Reading Room is open only two OF
enings Cruesday and Friday in the week, ,ors ,oJ
W, but it is because the present number of bea
oscrlbers will not justify the expense of keep pest
1t open every evening; but as soon as cou
ere seems to be any indication on the part of MS
W subscribers of desire to come into it, and n,a1
number will justify, the Room will be open win
cry night and made as comfortable as tbev ner
lid wish. Hoprwp1, cne