Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-06-07
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BOOKS.

Good books, like good friends, are few
and chosen--the more select the more en-
iovabe; and like these are approached
with diflidence, nor sought too Familiarity
nor too often, having the precedence only
when friends tire. The most manneIy OF
companions, accessible at all times, in all
moods, they frankly declare the authors
mind, without giving offence. Like living
friends they too have their voice and phys.
Economies, and their company is priced
as old acquantanees. We seek them in
our eed of counsel or of amusement,
without impertinence or apology, sure OF
having our claims allowed. A good book
iustifies our theory ofpersonal supremacy,
keeping this fresh in the memory and
perennial. What were days without such
fellowship? We were alone in the world
without it. Nor does our faith falter though
the secretwe search for and do not find in
them will not commit itself to literature,
still we take up the new issue with the old
expectation, aud again and again, rs we
try our friends after many failures at con-
vcrsation, believing this visit will be the
favored hour, and all will be told us. Nor
do | know what book / can well spare,
certainly none that has admitted me.
though it be but for, the moment and by
the most oblque glimpse. into the mind
and personality of its author; though few
there are that prefer such friendly claim
to ones regard, aud satisfy expectation
As he turns the leaves Our favorites are
few; since only what rises from the heart
reaches it, being caught and carried on
the tongues of men wheresoever love and
letters journey. ,a##
Nor need we wonder at their scarcity
or the value we set upon them; HE, the
essence of good letters as Of friendship,
being its own best biographer, the artist
that portrays the persons and thoughts we
are and are becoming. And the most that
even he can do is but chance stroke or
two at this fine essence housed IN the
handsome Dust but too fugitive and coy to !
be caught and held fast for longer than the
passing glance; the master touching ever
and retouching the picture he leaves I'M
finished.
"Nly life has lyeen the poem would have writ,
But could not both live and utter 1t"
find books like persons more attractive
as they are the more suggestive, more
mythical and difficult to render at once to
the senses, and enjoy them the more for
blending of nature with the mind-the text
sparkling with the authors personality. |
What is thus implied is more gracefully
delivered than if written literally; it
piques then the fancy more and calls the
higher gifts into play and an author best
serves me who, speaking alike to imagin-
alton and reason, arms with figures apt for
occasions, thus pluming the genius for
discourse. And the like may be said of
the dictionaries; open at hazard in lively
moods, the columns become charged with
thought, as if each word were bloodwise
and fleshed with meaning. Again, books
protesting system and completeness are
wont to be dry and Improbable save for
their facts and differences; truth the flow
ing essence of thing, the substance of be-
ing, accosting the mind most gracefully asa
flowing form, fixed for the moment of pass
ing only nthe minds eye, and is studied to
best advantage rather in books of biogra-
ply and poetry than Of history or science,
wherein the personality is oitenest lost in
distractions of fact. Reading, like con-
versation, is a idealism most profitable as |
it calls Imagination into play and thus
leads forth all other gitts.-A. Bronson Al |
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