The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-11-26

"In tracing some of the causes Of that lightncss
and friyolity OF character, and that disincnadon
for the exercise of the reflective powers so lament
ably common in the present day, one cause
find which is certainly capable Of producing such
result. This cause consists in the number and
character, and CheapnCSs, and peculiar mode Of
publication, of the works Of amusement Of the
present day. In all these respects the change is
great, aud extremely recent. The works of amuge-
ment published only few wears since were COM
paratively few In number; they we're less eKCit-
ing and therefore less attractive; aud not being
published periodically, did not DcCupv the mind
for so long time. nor keen alive so constant an
expectation nor by thus dwelling upon the mind,
and distilling themselves into iJ l5 it we're, drop
by drop, did they possess IL SO largely, COloring
even, in many instances, its very language, and
atluTding frequent matter for consideration, The
evil Of all these circumstance is actually enor-
nous. The mass of human minds and much
more of the minds of yonng persons have no
great appetite for intellectual exercise but they
have some, which, by careful treatment may
be strengthened and increased. But here, 10
this weak and delicate appetite, is presented
an abundance of the most stimulating and
least nOurishing food. 1t snIlChes it greedily
and is not only satisfied, but actually COu-
ccives a distas,e for anything more simple
and more wholesome. That curiosity, VIII ch is
wisely given us TO lead US on to KNOWLEDGE
finds its full qualification In tho details of an
exciting and pIOtraCted story and then lies down
as 1t were gorged and goes 70 sleep. Other facul-
ties claim their turn and have H.. We know that
in youth the healthy body and lively spirits re-
qure exercise; and in this they may aud ought
TO be INDUCED; but the time and interest which
remain over when the body has had its enjoy
ment, and the mind desires irs share, have been
already wasted and exhausted UPON things utterly
improbable; so that the mind goes 70 itl work
hurried and languidly, and feels it to be no more
than a burden. The mere lessons nav he
learned from a sense Of duty; hut that freshness
of power which, in young persons Of ability,
would iasten eagerly upon some one portion
or other Of the wide ield Of knowledge, and
then eXpatate, drinking in health aud strength
70 The mind, rs surely as the natural exercise
Of the body gives TO il bodily vigor that is tired
prematurely, perverted and corrupted and all
the knowledge which else /; might so cDvet, 10
now seems wearyIng effort to attain. That an
unnatural and constant excitement Of the mind
is most injurious, there is no doubt; that excite
ment involves a consequent weakness is a law OF
our nature, than which none is surer; that the
debility Of mind thus produced is, and must be,
adverse TO quiet study and thOught-tO that re.
Election which alone is wisdom, Is also clear ia
Itself, and proved too largely by experience, and
that, without reflection, there can be no spiritual
understanding; and therefore rhidishnCss and
unthOughfllness cannot be light evils. What
ever is thus hindrance In the way of our intel
lectua, moral, and spiritual Improvement, that is
in our case positive sim '-Dr irtoM.