Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-02-23
The Value of Public Libraries.

1 fedu Win uUuruiul iuteTest tuo pam
full announcement of the sudden death of
Judge Colburn. In the just and well de-
served tribute paid to bis memory in the
HERALD of the 18th inst, beautiful
feature of our structure of society was
fully developed, which should deeply in
terest our youth. The writer of that no.
tice says, ellis taste for reading and great
desire for knowledge induced him to read
carefully all the books within his reach;
and at very early age he devoted his
first earnings to the purchase of an inter-
est in public library. His life affords
an example how the public library will
in fuence the life and character Of youth
struggling with poverty, but thirsting for
knowledge and culture 1t may be said
by some, These suggestions in regard
to books appear we'll on paper, but do not
apply to me; labor hard for living, my
condition requires the action Of the hands,
and debars the improvement of the mind.
Let me say, an earnest purpose finds time,
it seizes on spare moments and turns frag-
ments of time to golden account. 1t is
often observed that those who have most
time at their disposal profit by it the least.
Those engaged in manual labor are apt to
underrate their advantages and complain
of their lot, and to over estimate the con-
dition of those denominated literary men.
We are apt to magnify the benefits OF
what is called liberal education, which
often seems to mean the confinement for
certain number of years within the
walls of college. For literary institu'
lions 1 have sincere respect, but let us
beware of imagining that they have any
patent machinery or steam power for the
manufacture of knowledge. To breathe
the air of Middlebury or Hanover for a
given period will not furnish a man with
a good store of practical knowledge. No;
it is acquired by hard labor, by the back
and the brain. In my judgment. that is
the best education which best fits man
to discharge the duties to which he is
destined; and I care not where he gets il
whether in one corner of an old fashioned
fireplace, with blazing torch in one hand
and book in the other, or in the splendid
halls of Oxford. Look around upon the
distinguished men that have lived, and
that still live-men that in every depart,
ment of life have guided and controlled
society, and what, ask, was their condi-
ton, their early fortunes? Were they,
as a general rule, rocked and handled on
the lap of wealth, and surrounded with
| all the facilities which great institutions
afford d? No; they emerged from homes
of mere competence or struggling power
ty; necessity kept the edge of their minds
always sharp. In proof of this position
let me point to the immortal Lincoln, and
to many in our country who were born in
obscurity, trained in the workshop, who
have been the arbiters of their own Tor
tune and their own fame. Who was the
man who went through our country and
through Europe addressing admiring as
semblies, winning honor and applause on
both sides of the Atlantic? 1t was the
learned blacksmith, who had accumulated
vast stores of knowledge by Selling upon
those little intervals between swinging
the sledge and blowing the bellows. There
are numerous and noble examples; they
make powerful appeal to the yonth OF
our country, and should stimulate them
to seize upon all the facilities afforded
there for the acquisition of useful knowl
edge. Public libraries are being estab.
lished, sffording the means for the cult
vation of the intellect and the heart A
public library is warehouse in which the
precious merchandise of knowledge may
be had for the asking. Our young men.
who are soon to stand up in the place and
bear the responsibilities of the fathers,
should be deeply interested in these rich
fountains that are adapted to give hap
Ply and beneficent impulse to our country.
| PHILo.