Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1867-07-17

lit. You are attracted by a story, and to
get little pure gold, you receive great
deal of dross. Many of these books, I
know, derive their spirit from the Bible !;
many OF them are useful and delightful ;
but let them take a subordinate place, and
not encroach on the time you have to give
to the reading of the Bible. Do not be
satisfied to drink from the stream which
is imbued with much earthly ma erial,
when you can go to the pure fountain
You will find your pleasure in reading
the Bible incalculahly increased, if you
will read 1t not only with spirit submis-
slve to It's Divine instruction, but with
your mind awakened, and eager to under
stand it. There are Dictionaries Of the
Bible, that explain what is obscure !;
there are books that will give you much
light upon the history, CUSTOMS and modes
of life among the Jews. There are others
that explain the prophecies, and show
you their fulfilment.
have said before, that the books to
be read, depend much on the leisure you
have for reading Those who have but
little time to devote to this mode of mem
tai Improvement, should be very careful
not to waste it in miscellaneous and un-
profitable reading. For instance, if you
can read but few books, be sure that the
history OF your own country is among
them. Make yourself acquainted thor
oughly with It's institutions, it's past and
present condition, i1s extent, climate, laws,
productions. and commerce All these
subjects come within our own sphere
they may be called domestic matters.
Think, you, if woman was we'll instruc-
ted, we'll read on these topics, she would
be as incapable of business, and therefore
as dependent as she now is 5a i
Think you, my young friends, that if
women could talk iii diligently and agree.
ably on these topics, you would see, in
small social party, the men talking polit cs
On one side OF the room, and the women
on the other discussing their domestic,
their kitchen affairs, or talking over the
fashions, or setting their heads together
over dish of gossip? No--the effect of
the intelligent and well-directed reading
of females would be, to improve the oth=
er sex quite as much as themselves
Next TO the history and condition of
your own country, it is important that
you acquaint yourselves with the history
and condition Of the countries whencs-
your cestors came Then you will be
able to compare your country with other
countries, your own times with preceding
ages. Thus informed, you will not fill
into the common national vanity of fan
cying all knowledge, all virtue, and all
progress, concentrated in the United
States; nor into worse error, culpa-
bic ignorance of the advantages of your
own country, and insensibility to them
Next to what to read" comes Il Q
great question chow to read" and [ am
not sure the last is not the weightier Of
the two.
And here, again, my young friends, I
must urge upon you, though you may be
tir of a word so often repeated, atten-
tio1e but without it you can succeed in
nothing, and certainly without it, books
mi ght as we'll be blank to you
1t is only by attention that, as our eyes
pass over book, we transfer its know
ledge into our own minds
No book will improve you which does
not make your own mind work, This is
as certain as that the mill is not improved
by the corn that passes through it, or
that the purse is none the cher for the
money that has been in it. 4'4
1t it a good practice to talk about a
book you have just read not to display
your knowledge, for this is pedantry or
something worse; but to make your read
ing social blessing by communicating
literally to those in your family circle,
who may have less time and opportunity
for reading than you have. You may
often, too by the superior knowledge of
a friend, correct the false impressions you
have received. Or, your friend may have
read the same book, and then it is de-
lighttul point of sympathy. ""..'' -
One word before | close this subject, as
to the preservation of your books If
you love them, Jou will respect them,
and unless you are incorrigibly slovenly
and careless, you will not break off the
covers, soil the leaves, and dog-ear the
corners. You would guard them as
mlser does his gold, if you could but
foresee the feelings with which, in your
mature age, you will look upon the we'll
preserved book that was the charm Of
your childhood.