Middletown transcript., 1868-07-25
For the Midazetown Transcript.

1t is quite refreshing, with the thermom-
eter at $50 in the shade, to take up neat,
clean, well printed sheet, abounding with
choice articles, both original and selected !;
and TO read in clear type, the current news,
and local incidents Of the day, and the
surroundings. Such sheet, Mr.. Editor,
(and [ assure you mean no flattery, for
l am incapable, I believe, of offering such
despicable food,) is the " Middlotown
Transcript" and need not say that our
community may, with honest pride, rejoice
that such is the patent fact. Such pub
lication in growing and thriving town,
must, or should, exercise wonderful in
luence in our midst, and neighborhood,
both refining and instructive.
With such views, may the writer be
pardoncd for few suggestive remarks to
our community:
We have no public library, as yet.
Without mental food, various and health
full, no matter how prosperous iii trade,
and however rich in agricultural resources,
there must grow up a selfish spirit, conccn-
trating itself tothe mere increase of dol
lars and cents, and tending to the dwarf
ing, and stultifying of the moral powers
and faculties. To refine and educate q
community, there must be mental resour-
ccs, and we must cultivate books, as well
as soil. We must improve the mind with
polite and useful literature, as we'll as keep
up current supply of merchandise we
must keep balance on hand in useful
information, as well as that to our credit
in the Bank. We must see to it, that
there is an accumulation in the knowledge
derived from judicious reading, as in in
vestments in or 7 twenties. We must
reap in the field of thought and of mind,
of well as gather in the golden cereals that
adorn and beautify our fields.
I have said we have no public library.
This we ought to have as an initial in the
reform we propose. When the new Hall
is completed the library should have It's
proper place within It's walls. Money
should (and cannot it be y raised to fur
nish it with standard books. Donations
of volumes would doubtless be made part
ly at home, and partly from other quar-
ters. During the fall and winter, popular
lectures on science, history and literature,
should be obtained. Young gentlemen
and ladies should be urged, (and older
ones, too) to patronize the library and the
lectures A reading room should be estab-
lishad in the Hall, in which the best maya
zines, quartorliea, and newspapers should
be placed for the benefit Of the subscribers,
and strangers temporarily soiourning in
Middletown, and its vicinity; and the Ed
itor Of the Transcript should popularize
the undertaking, by frequent words of en-
couragcment, and by occasional notice of
its progress. Other advantages would
grow out Of this initial. Our young peo-
pie would have opportunity, almost i'm
perceptibly to increase their stores of in
formation one would quicken anoth-
er; there would be beautiful rivalry in
storing the mind with topics of conyersa-
tion and discussion; less frequenting of
bar-rooms, and less inane chit chat,
amounting to the shadow of nothing which
SO often pains ears polite in those commu-
mites where books are ignored, and fool
ish, and sometimes hurtful amuscments,
INDUCED in. for want of healthful mental
recreation.
| might add more, but this will suffice |
for the nonco. These are mere sugges-
tions, and they may be taken for what
they are worth. The writer has had some
experience in journalism, and contact with
those who have given thought and expc-
rience to the subject. The project has
worked well everywhere, whore it has been |
faithfully tried, and patiently worked out.
| believe we can make it success if
some of our influential citizens in the sur
rounding country and in the town will
give it eountenance and aid. H aoiH pay
in the moral benefit that will be con
forred on the present and rising generation
among, us. OATS.