Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1871-04-05
Books as Society.

There arc many people in our largl
cities who would gladly spend the res
OF their lives IN the country, did they
not fear they would suffer dreadfully
from lack Of suitable society. They
have been 80 accustomed TO have
friends drop IN for an evening, or q
make . social call, and would 50 mis-
the constant round Of balls, pariie.
and Entertainments, that really they
do MOI sec how they could exist out
OF town in the winter time. If they
had means enough 10 support an ex-
tensivr establishment, they miga:
perhaps, have their country house con
stantly filled with company, aud thus
NANCE 70 worry through thA- Gold
months That this is no fancy pic-
ture, LEI the average metropolitan cit
izen bear witness Still, As man Is :
sOciabie animal, it is natural enough
for him TO desire association and in
tercOurso with bis fellow; but there
is certainly much in modern society
which is not worth the attention and
interest Of mature people with 3 pur-
pose in life. We do moi allude 10 in
fiuences which arc positively injurious,
but 10 such as are Improbable, be
cause vapid and inane. Parties and
entertainments, where dancing is the
chief recreation, may do well enough
for children and young people, hut
sensible men and women want some
thing more 1t isa apleasure for them
10 meet and exchange thoughts and
impressions, but on subjects Of more
importance and general interest than
the latest fashion or the last ball As
they are neither dolls nor Jumping
Jacks, they pcrfer using their minds
10 gossip and dress, or even 10 trip
ping the '.lisht fantastic
But We do not apprehend mos. of
our mature readers would shed many
tears IL called upon 10 give up the
round Of gossip and dancing, and the
will-o-tbe-wisp pursuit Of pleasure
which occupies ihe attention OF . p0r-
ton Of the dwellers in cities. Ad-
EHncing years, If they bring wisdom
will wean from such tastes II q
man has surrounded himself with a
pleasant coterie Of choice friends. Il
would be hard TO break away from in
tercourse with them were there no
substitute for their society There
are few places in the country which
have not their share of intelligent men
and women. The minister, the doc
tor, the lawyer, the thrifty and en-
terprising farmer, could all contribute
10 the formation Of an intelligent and
interesting circle OF friends. BUg
should ron tire Of these, look 10 your
books for society-two or three choice
volumes, perhaps, Il your means are
limited, or, II possible, n library, vain
able ON account OF the taste disp.xycc
in its selection rather than because of
its numbers and cosiliness
II your books have been wen select
ed, they will bring you into The pres
ence Of the wise and The great us al
ages, and in the pcrusai Of their Nrii-
ings and sayings You can 10 a measure
ENJOY their society. In this wHy, the
hnmblest dwelicr IN an obscure hamlet
can hold intercourse with those whom
king and princes were proud % reckon
as friends. As association with intel
ligent, thoughtful people always has
an clcvating tendency. 30 q pcrusnl of
the writings Of the good and The wise
must elevate, strengthen and improve
We talk Of the Importance Of good
society, and how some are uuior1n-
naiely deharrcd from enjoying j., yet
the associates BY which we can be
most fairly judged are not those with
whom we pass our busy hours, bul
those Of our own choosing whom ws
gather around ne in our leisure no
mcnts As has been wisely Sad. IN q
library we arc surrounded BY many
hundreds Of dear friends imprisoned
by an enchanterin IN paper and leathern
boxes, some OF whom have been wait
ing two, ten, or, even twenty. cen
turics 20 speak 10 us, al o. whom arr
eager 70 give us 4 sign and unhnsorn
themselves to us, ii we but speak 10
them. With one good book We hare
a true friend, and with hundred a
host 20 Jet no one who can gather
about him rvcn the smallest colirrIior
OF books complain a wani 81 cuureniai
society, though be be compelled %
reside on the very outskirts uf ciriiiza-
ton. Hearfh and Home