Elizabeth daily monitor. [volume] (Elizabeth, N.J.) 1868-1880, 1868-10-21
FAMILY BEADING.

rents so dehclent, as IN thab OF 1ufnlSn-
ing at the right period, food for the
. minds developing in their households.
If it is the duty of the parent or guard
ian of childhood and youth, to provide
for the body, it is no less an obligation
to secure that for the intellect, which
will adorn and strengthen it; awaken
its powers of thoughts, and thus, sup
ply its immortal longings and undying
demands.
Are our young people reading class
in the community? Are they encour-
aged to buy good books ? One way to
cultivate the taste for good reading is
by the presentation of the latest and
the best publications. Once fire the
soul with the true idea of living, name
ly to think and act, and then will
come the demand for reading, in order
to give thought its true expression. and
to apply action in the channels of phi
lanthropy and truth.
The young should learn to converse
freely on all subjects; in this they
should be cheered and assured, by the
aid and help found in books, for, if a
person would talk well he must read
extensively. 1t was Cotton who said,
"by reading We enjoy the dead,
by conversation the living, and by
contemplation ourselves. It is read
ing that enriches the memory CONVEX
sation polishes wit and contemplation
improves the Judgment. OF these,
reading is the most important, as it
! furnishes both the Others"
We were little mortified a short
time since, on stepping into we'll
known publishing house, to hear the
proprietor, who was once resident of
this city, declare that the citizens Of
Elizabeth were not reading people. -
We were glad to vindicate our home
from such an unmerited charge True,
though it may be, that we do not read
as some other communities it is a
gratifying fact, that more books are
bought in families to-day in this city, |
as we have reason to know, in one
month, than We're bought and read in
years, prior to the establishing of the
Young Mems Literary Association,
which, through its rich supply, though |
vet limited, has awakened taste for
reading, and so q desire with many for
the family library.
I A good book in the household is
charm to the young, when once its val
ne is known, and so, it becomes safe
guard, while it makes home 'the dear
est spot on earth" We can offer no
greater benefit to our readers than that
of urging to the purchase of books for
the family for next to the acquiring of
good friends. the best acquisition is |
that of good books.
We would have the homes of our city |
gladdened with works of art, ofscience, |
of thought compressed, of enlivening
anecdotes, sound maxims, and pleasing
profitable, entertaining tales Such
library in the family, is the best casket
of jewels that can possibly be bestow
ed, as it will furnish advancement for
the mind and regulate the conduct of
the life.
Books, books, we cry, buy them
read them let these be your gifts to
your children and your friends, during
the approaching gift season. They
will live to speak in truth, and virtue,
and love, when the giver shall have
passed away.
"The past but live in words; thous-
and ages
Were blank if books had not cooked
their ghosts,
And kept the pale, embodied shades to
warn us
From feshless lips.
We hope soon to see established in
our city first-class book store, the sub |
iect is just now being contemplated
Such an establishment, furnishing what
is usually found in such place, We
believe would be amply sustained
Until the consumation of this business
in our city, we would direct our read
ers to the well-known house in the
book trade, of Hurd s Houghton,
Carleton, Sheldon. the Carriers, the
Harper's and such-like where may be
found full supply of the most desira-
BILE and profitable reading for the fam
i1y.