The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1865-09-29
The Influence of Newspapers.

Occasionally an individual rays to u.s."
times are SO hard with me, must stop my
paper" or, as in some instances, "my wife
thinks we can dispence with the paper now,
and must STOP" Thus 1t is stop tho paper
the first thing as useless expence, without
thinking Of the actual waste Of money for
many thinks drink, eat, smoked or chewcd,
which can do the system no good, but rather
harm.
The newspaper can or should be regarded
as benefit to every household; 1t provides
an agreeable recreation it imparts useful in
formation; it furnishes subject for thought
and conversation; it adds charm to social
intercourse; 1t makes agreeable members of
society.
10 be without newspaper one might as
we'll be out Of the world; he becomes per.
feet nobody; when he goes into society and
hears Others talk about current events and
discuss questions Of local or general interest,
he can take no intrest in these things because
he is not posted up, not having read the pa
pers. And in the family circle what an in.
auence the newspaper has; the children
read it, and gain in knowledge; it serves to
occupy their leisure hours, to keep them from
frivolous amusement, and gives an attraction
to home. Surely, than, no wise parent
would consent to 60 without newspaper
in his family-and local homo newspaper
to. He may think he can get along without
it. because he is out in the world, and can
have the reading Of the paper from his ne.
ghbor's shop or store, or can learn what is
going on from Others. But this is rather
mean way to do. Men ought to be indie
pendent. They ought to read for themselves
and not stall the news from their neighbours.
II, however they think they do not need the
paper themselves, they may rest assured that
their family does. Its possession gives
pride to the family; they feel they are some.
body; they take paper and pay for it; it
is theirs, not their neighbors; they are not
dependent upon Others for the news.
Consideration like these should have
weight and should induce thoes who have
had thoughts of stopping their newspaper not
to do so-and for those who have not taken
paper to subscribe at once for one But
our purpose in commencing this article was
not to make suggestions Of our own, only to
call attention to what school teachersavs on
the subject. Speaking of the influence of
newspaper upon the minds Of family Of chill.
dren, he writes:
have found it to he the universal factwith.
out exception. that thoes scholars of both seq
es and Of all ages. who have had access to
newspapers at home, when compared to thoes
who have not, arc.
l. Better readers. excellent in pronouncia-
ton. and consequently read more understand
ingly.
words with ease and accuracy.
3. They obtain practical knowledge ofge.
Ography in almost half the time it requires
Others, as the newspaper has made them &c.
quainted with tho location Of the important
places, nations, their governments and doings
on the globe.
4. They are better grammarians, for hav
ing become so familiar with every variety
of style in the newspaper. from Uncommon
place advertisement to tho finished and class
ical Grafton of the stateman they more read.
lily comprehend the meaning Of the text and
consequently analyze its constructions with
accuracy.
5. They write better composition, using
better Language, containing more thoughts,
more clearly and more commercially expressed.
6. Those young men who have for years
been readers Of the newspapers are always
taking the lead in the debating societies, ex-
hibting more extensive knowledge upon a
greater variety Of subjects. and expressing
their views with greater fuency, clearness
and correctness in the use Of lauguage.-Bath
Times. .sFs