St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1861-04-04

Considering that man can read only one
book at tt me he. derives nearly as much
advantage from a public library as if he
owned it. himself: Let town, then ex-
tend it's hospitality to- the great sages of
the world! Invite Bacon, Franklin, Mil
ton, Scott, Macauley, Gibbon,. Hume. IT.
wing and hundred other illustrious names
to take up their abode in your limits -
They arc no Japanese visitors. They will
require no champagne-no sumptuous din
ners. It will cost nothing to sustain
them !; and only humble roof for their
shelter. But their presence will be an
honor. They will give their advice on
all great matters of human concern. How
serene and sweet they are to those who
seek their fellowship. In thoughts pro-
found and God-like, in language of beauty
and of eloquence they will explore with
you the springs of human action; and con-
duct with radiant light along the VIM
ding labyrinths of knowledge.
Another Of these contributions of culture
is Music. Nothing SO much impressed the
Prince OF Wales on our continent as the
singing national anthem by the school
children Of Boston. Did we wish to hear
Jenny Lind? And is there not much more
music in the we'll trained voices of thirty
children? Is there anything more elo~
quent than the melody of choral voices p
anything more soul-stirring than the har-
monlous strains of vast congregation led
by the sonorous and pealing notes of the
organ (. Practice gives compass and flex-
ibllity to the voice. And with reasonable
effort choir can be formed in every town
which can execute the noble choruses of
Handel or Mozart in way that will afford
a delightful entertainment to the people.
Let us not long for the concerts of the
great cities, but get up home article and
rely upon our home resources.
An instrumental band is also great ac-
tquisition TO a community. Such contri-
buttons to general pleasure are evidence
IF public spirit, and good taste. They
make place much more attractive and
desirable as a home. 49,.
| Is music beneath our notice? We are
t9lds that it is the principal occupation of
the inhabitants of heaven; and that an
gelic harmonies 49,.
ssIn loud fill the eternal regions"
Music is food for the soul. HOY much
oppressed, how often wounded and lacer-
aed is the poor human SOUL And yet
bow scanty and lnsipid is its diet. While,
then, we lavish delicacies upon the stom-
ah, let US give little nourishment now
and then to the soul .~...
Landscape gardening is another i'm
pprtant kind of culture, not only fora
town, but for the country: The rudest
ctttage looks cheerful when surrounded
with shrubbery and neatly cultivated
grounds. Whatever is done at present with
music and libraries, must insist that ev-
ely householder and every odicehelder
shall have garden. Hear what the wise
Lord Bacon says: "God Almighty first
planted garden; and indeed it is the
purest of human pleasures it is the great
est refreshment to the spirits Of man,
without which buildings and palaces are
but gross handiworks: and man shall
ever see, that when ages grow to civility
and elegancy men come to build stately
sooner than garden finely, as if gardening
were the greater perfection" And hear
also great poet and philosopher of antiq-
uity: "This" says Horace "was ever
amongst the number of my wishes.-A
portion Of ground not over large, in which
was garden, and fountain with a con-
tinual stream close to my house, and lit
tie woodland BESIDES" "Come" said the
illustrious Mentesquieu to distinguished
guest, "Come, then let us walk I long to
show you my villa as I have enIeavored
to form it according to the English taste,
and to.cultivste and dress it in the English
, manner" 81 never had any other desire
50 strong and 60 like to coyetousness. 'says
Cowley, Gas that one which have always
had-that might be master of at least ,
small house and large garden with very
, moderate convepiences joined to them and
there dedicate the remainder of my life
, only to the culture Of them and the study
OF nature" And the holy prophet when
be would express the complete joy CT Is
rael once again gathered together in secu
= rty and plenty says, "their soul shall be
, as watcred garden" "How goodly arc
thy tents, o Jacob, and thy tabernacles
O Israel! As the valleys ere they spread
, forth, as gardens by the river side .
, What more delightful than the fragrance
, it breathes forth to greet the morning sun
, beams? How sweetly does it smile aftc
,, the grateful shower. How serene the con
, tent it whispers on the twilight zephyrs
.... s.The soft air
Salutes me with its cool and tenn 'prste breath
And, Is walk, the fower. .besprinkled lawn
Sends up gale Of fragrance, 1should guees,
3 If e'er Content deigned visit mortal cline,
This was her place Of dearest reside1ce.'
When We graft upon nature, then do ",
8 enjoy the true realization of beauty, o
1 majesty and delight. There is a pleasur,