Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1861-07-25
educational 9tpartutent.
Fictitious Reading.


This is subject worthy the consideration
of every one Our country ia flooded with
works of fiction. Thousands Throughout the
world, who call themselve philanthrupl.ts, are
daily swelling the tide. Thousands Ieay, are
now preparing this literary poison for hungry
minds. Some say such works are Beneficial.
| deny it. | know them to be deleteHous,
from my own experience and observation, and
the experience of many with whom have con-
yeTsed on the subject. A short time ago
heard a very intelligent young man remark,
that when he was growing up his parents ad-
monished him to never read any kind of trashy
literature He took their advice He was
fond of reading His books were histories, BIZ
ographies, travels such as all parents should
select fot their children. He found an un-
ceasing pleasure and edifcaticn in such works
as Plutarch RolIin, Burke, and Bacon. Al
ter while be went to boarding school. His
roommate was a noyel-reader-had scarcely
anything else in his room. The young mans
words were, Having a little leisure-I read
q novel of amusement-I read another and an
other till my mind and heart became absorb
ed in them. Ny recitations became worse
my precious moments flew unconscionsly away
1t was novel-readiug. Could / live over my
life again, | never would read another" Such
is the experience of many. A young lady once
told me she had read ninety four novels She
was only sixteen years old. What a vast
amount of useful knowledge could she have ac-
cumulated, had her attention been directed in
the right channel. Why does any one read
such works ? Some will answer, to improve
the style of reading, to acquire language aud
knowledge of human nature. All this can
be obtained from histories of nations and the
biographies Of men who in turn, have acted In
every imaginable conditions, now for thous-
ands of years. Bat the greater danger of no.
vel-reading is, that it has a tendency to lead
the mind ircm trnth. There are generally two
characters, bad, and a good one. Human
nature scarcely ever becomes so degraded as IS
commonly represented in the bad character,
and less seldom does it arrive at the perfection
represented iu the good one. How many are
there in our land to-day, picturing to them
selves in after life that glowing and unruffied
happiness so eloquently described by wri ters
of fiction. The object of the writer is to create
a pleasing excitement. He presents only the
sunny side Of the picture. The vexations, dis
appointments, and tears, which lie thick along
life's pathway, are never presented aud im-
pressed upon the mind. Fiction not only de.
ceives the mind with regard to what is real,
but it leads it away from the investigation Of
truth. Show NE habitual novel.rcader, and
l will show you QUE that does not love to read
the Bible. Listen 10 words Of wise man
" When you have all that is comprised in what
describes the history Of a man in all the lights
in which he has ever been placed, then betaks
yourself to works OF imagination"
The question in regard to works Of fiction,
usually has definite relation to the works Of
Walter Scott. There is such magic thrown
around him, we cannot but be safe there. Is
it so Because the magician can raise Nigh
tier spirits, and throw more supernatural light
about him than Others, is he therefore, less 10
be feared No. The very strength of the
spell should warn You that there is danger In
putting yourself in bis power. While confess
that | have read bim-read him entire. in or
der that l might show that speak from ex.
perence-l cannot but say that it would give
me the keenest pain to think my example would
be quoted-small as its influence is-when /
an 10 the grave, without this solemn protest
accompanying it Fictitious reading is hurt
iul 10 the mind, 10 the heart, and to the hap
piness Of life" In Imagination, ! see some
young man or lady. st the lone hour OF mid
night bending with absorbing interest over
some high wrought romance, some exciting no
vel, drinking from its pages that which will
shortly starTe the most vigorous intellect, be-
numb the fnest sensibiiities Of the heart, cre-
ate a morbid desire for fiction the most impro-
bable, adventures the most marvellous and un-
natural, deeds the most fool-hardy, aud scenes
the most revolving in 80 noble heartT Such
are the consequences of novel reading = South
erH Ttacter.