The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-07-12
Catholic Reading Room.

We have often heard it suggested that
there should he in the city some place of
social gathering for Catholic gentlemen.
There would appear to be- some elements of
success in such an enterprise. The principle
of combination for amusement is Inherent
with man. We see it's manifestations in all
the clubs that characterize, and, generally
demoralize modern society. II it is natu-
raj element, however, we ought not he dis
heartened at its abuse, but wisely TO pro-
vide for it's proper exercise, and to obtain
the natural advantages Of its legitimate use.
These advantages are many. The mind
receives healthful exercise, the spirits are
rendered more cheerful and courageous, the
disposition becomes more accustomed to
compromise, selfshness is discouraged, and
manners are softened. The mind can never
be idle it Graves constant occupation and
whom fatigued with too earnest an attention,
seeks something lighter and more amusing.
Newspaper files, works Of fiction of the
proper character, chess, back CANNON,
billiards, and other known amusements,
neatly and comfortably provided for, would
prove highly attractive in moments of re-
Taxation. With all the guards of modera-
ton and aecoruni thrown around it, such a
place would be free from the Objectionable
features of the elub-late hours, high
gaming, intempersnee, jmmerality, and
alienation from home. It would retain the
gold, expel1ing the dross. Catholicism is
always willing to adopt and profit by the
developments Of the age and tile wisdom of
the world, divorced from its folly.
A place of social reunion like this, besides
furnishing innocent amusement and with
drawing many from the pursuit of pleasure
UNDER, more questionable circumstances,
would have valuable results of an indirect
nature. 1t weuld tend to unite Catholic
society. interchange of views would, natu-
rally, produce more unity of sentiment and
harmony of action, and we all know the
difference of results where the same forces
act in an organized form and where they act
independently. The old Roman excmplitied
it to his sons with bundle Of rods, each
one was easily snapped, one after the other,
by slight exertion, while their combina-
ton presented a resistance which deied
violence.
Any result, however, ether than amuse-
ment, ought to be strictly secondary in an
undertaking Of the kind We advocate.
Simplicity is the great rule Of success. By
attempting several things in one operation,
too many elements Of opposition and of
failure are generally combined. A place. Of
social amusement ought to be as strictly
such as the counting-room is place of bust
ness Any expansive zeal which would
make it assume the additional characters of
literary society and a charitable associa-
ton, would effectually kill it. 1t won't do
to mix vino, cider, and beer in tue same
| bottle.
Moreover, any attempt of the kind sug-
gested in this article, ought to be made on
a scale proportional to it's assured patron
age only. Any expansion based on loose
expectations would probably prove burden
some and, perhaps, disastrous. Experiments
ought always to be tried OH a small scale,
and then if the expected success follows,
expansion will be easy and effective.