, 1866-11-23
p,..,,r. .na Duty Tor ne winter.

The advent Of autumn and the long evenings
that mark the fall and winter months in our lAti-
tuds. saws Al exchange, neeessitateS complete
change in the means Of recreation and amuse-
usut from those that have ruled during the
summsr solstiee. The mellow summer evenings
no longer invite to pleasure rides, and the chilly
evening air and the morning frosts point unuis-
takedly to the decline Of the year. But while
we are shut OF from some pleasures others ini
vits Us and promise enjoyment and profit The
epjoyments of the summer pleased the senses !
those of the winter art calculated 10 instruct
the intellect and add to the stores Of culture.
Libraries that have been neglected while the
warm months afforded out-of-door recreation
will be visited now, and the experience Of auoth-
et ii4 months among the nidGntAihs, or at the
deSk AUD counting room, the farm or the shop
will give new Eest to reading and study.
We live at 8 time when persons Of every taste
can find abundant means Of gratifying their
special inclinations in the matter of reading.
Books of all classes are comparatively cheap, and
no one need long be without them if he reso-
lutey desires to purchase and read. Our con-
! temporaneous literature of the next six months
will be more than usually interesting and worthy
of careful study. The events of the coming half
year in our own country, and abroad as well,
will necessarily be of striking interest Politi-
cal questions of the very first, Importance are
to be settled and uufoldsd, and single news
paper, apart from private or public libraries,
will give abundant topics for conversation
thought and study, as it chronicles the passing
events and bragg them to the notice Of its
| readers.
Most fortunately for our prosperity and sue.
cess in every particular, the Americans are EN-.
phaucally r.adiug people. Nothing striker
tue lOr-ign Visitor with more wonder and sur
/ prise than the universally of our opportunities
of reading. The newspaper photographs thu
events of the world, and brings their knowledge
within the reach of the humblest and poores
citizen. And here is one of our strongest ant
brightest hopes for the future of our govern
ment and our institutons-that the people hav,
the opportunity to become well acquainted will
the leading topics Of the day and of the age
The achievements of science and the enterpris,
of the press haze annihilated distance, and tht
American citizen can now watch the doings o.
the old world as carefully and intelligenty al
those of his own neghborhood.
With such opportunities for gaining iuforma.
tion and culture, with some OF the greatest
questions that have ever vexed any age in abey
ance and awaiting proper settlement by the
Intelligence of the people, certainly there wa.
never greater stimulus for study and Intelligent
reflections upon political and national affair:
than now. Our Republic has passed safelJ
through the trying ordeal Of loag and despe.
rate civil war, thanks TO her brave citizen sold.
iers. Ballots must now complete the work thai
bullets SO gloriOusly commenced, and there il
imperative need that the coming winter should
be carefully and intelligently improved by those
who direct and control the Affairs Of our Gov,
ernment, by the people WHO elect the rulers, aud
in reality form and direct public policy. Aside
from the pleasure that reading and study nAv.,
S-''-"- SsrHsi uuty 70 our Republic and oui
gratitude TO the memory of those who die6'tha
the Republic might live, demand Of US more
than ever before improvement Of the opportu
mites that autdmn and winter bring with then
for gathering information and thoughtfully con,
sidering the great questions Of the age.