Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1867-03-01
Local Libraries.

Political economists and the good sense
of the public agree that education is the
principal safeguard Of republican insttu-
tons. IN New England at least this truth
is generally recognized, and numerous
schools are maintained at the public en-
pcnse. Large sums of monry are annual
ly appropriated for schools in this State.
but the complaint is too general that re-
suits are not adequate tn the expenditure.
Such complaints are often unreasonable.
Too much is expected of our common dis
trict schools, which at the most are only or
gained to teach the rudlments of certain
branches. and this, frequently, to ihdltieY-
! cnt or unwilling minds.
Schools cannot do every thing. Other
instrumentalities must be made use of to
extend and improve the education of the
youth.
One Of the most available Of :hesc, Is
town OF local Libraries, Reading and
observation, are often sources Of more wis
dom than schools or classes. books
of general reading rarely have to be en-
fbrcei upon the Young. Boys and girls are
generally eager for food that viii meet
the hunger of their active minds. Where
a taste for readin- does not naturally ap
pear in child, it can he easily and invaria
bly, developed by placing the right books
within its reach. The boy that wifi turn
with disgust fron the studies of the school,
and even from history OF solid reading"
will eagerly peruse books of travel aud no
mancc. and, ifthese are the right kind, they
will invariably dcvelope taste for higher
reading. aud, even az ambition to excel in
school studies.
Familiar books of science will often in
tercst children, who do not seem 10 care
for works of the imagination, while poetry
will enehain the attention of girls who de-
test grammar. Each child's mind is SUI
generiS and should be fed with what will
most naturally assimilate. Boys and girls
in our rural towns avay from libraries are
often mentally starved. There are no
books in their homes, or ncighborhood suited
to their age and tastes. They too, often. i'll
their deprivation, dcvour books OF a vicious
tendency that chance to be within their
reach
Libraries cannot, and ought not, te super
sedc the common schools, but they are
valuable auzileary. They are indispensi
bic to education in its widest and trnest
sense. General reading Will easily and
readily widen the thoughts, and excite the
the talents of the young. Romance, poe
try, history, travels, science are essential
to culture CT real education. The mind
has a natural aptitude for them, if it is
enabled to learn Of them in its own way. A
boy or girl that has good suitable books to
read, viii almost Invariably excel in gram
mar, arithmetic, geography. Reading and
spelling are best learned i'll this way.
The moral infaence OF books is incalcl
liable. The minds of youth are ever rest
less and excited; they must be occupied.
The idle are always immoral-the indus
trious rarely-A plenty OF interesting books
with taste for reading will rarely fail to
etfectually eiye battle to the devil that is
busy i'll the idle mind.
Libraries are feasible in every town in
the County. The Statutes authorize any
town 10 establish and maintain public
library therein. At the coming March
meetings any town car raise a sum equal
! to one dollar for each of its ratable polls to
establish library. The School Commit
tee can be empowered to spend the sum
raised in the purellas, Of suitable books.
These books can be distributedby the Com
mittce under suitable regulations to the
| several districts or otherwise, continual ro-
tatiou being kept up, so that all may have
all equal use of the whole. Much will de-
pend upon the discretion of the Committee
in selecting books. but if the experiment
is once fairly tried the good results will
soon be manifest. The foregoing only al
ludes to the benefit local libraries may be
to children. They may be of equal inter-
est and advantage to adults. Perhaps
this may be alluded to again.