Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1871-04-21
~uNpRoF1TABLE d


"You cannot afford to read such
books" was the remark OF a sagacious
gentleman to a young friend. whom he
saw constantly occupied with fictitious
literature. The caution has a world
of wisdom in it. The young cannot
afford to give all, or even the half OF
the time they have for reading, to the
fascinating pages Of fiction. And yet,
let the sales Of booksellers, the Issues
of magazines, and the shelves Of the
circulating and the public libraries be
examined, and 1t will be found that
the perusal of fictitious works far ex-
ceeds that of useful publications.
Youth is mans opportunity. The
mind has only a given capacity. and If
that Is filled with fiction, fact finds
small place for admission. Surprise Is
sometimes expressed that industrious
young men and women. who read very
little in comparison with voracious
novel readers, happen to be better In
formed and more capable in business
than some who fancy themselves of
literary tastes, aud who have the repu-
tation of being "bookish" young peo-
pie. The fact Is that these apparent
non-readers arc practical and observ-
ant D ersons. They have some clear
aim in life, and pursue it by attaining
knowledge. Part Of their improve
ment Is gained by observation, and
more by thought and reasoning. They
do read; but 1t is with an object, anu
II the amount in pages Is small, that
small amount is we'll digested and ap-
piled. They take up books for q pur-
pose aud with an object; and discard
such promiscuous reading rs does not
minister to the end they have in view.
| They have no taste for mere fiction, as
fiction ; and what few works Of imagin-
alton they care to read are such as to
illustrate the truth. Mere tissues Of
wild invention, resting on impossible
machinery and ending In startling ca
tastrophes, presenting details OF crime
and plots woven with exciting sin,
have 10 charm for those who ask
themselves whether they can afford to
read 4 book. 1t is a rare accomplish
ment to be able to peep into an cxcit-
ing volume and give 1t Il toss aside II
it proves unworthy of the time 1t
would occupy. Many persons seem to
think that to begin a volume commits
them In honor and honesty to 90
through with it. Yet one Is no more
bound to do this than he Is to make n
hearty meal upon food which he knows
is unwholesome. OF course, all works
of Imagination need not be rejected.
Such books have their use, and
when taken up in due proportion to
moro solid reading are both a relief
and an advantage. The too prevalent
error is in permitting light reading to
displaee the more solid and really use
full. There Is hardly y young man in
business to-day in the United States
who could not find volumes treating Of
his particular calling, or upon subjects
pertinent to it. The perusal Of these
works would give him the benefit Of
the experience Of others, and make
him at five-and-twenty better Informed
in his daily work than he could be-
come by his own experience without
such aids, in some form, ut five-and-
forty. Few avail themselves Of this
opportunity, but those few are the
successful men. The world calls them
lucky. Say. rather, wise. They are
prudent, and know what they cannot
afford. Look at this matter In a o
general light, and IL that concerns
everybody. How many are there
among those who "talk politics who
are acquainted In any proper degree
with the history Of their country, and
with the true science Of politics? How
many have studied the facts and theo-
ries which underlie the questions OF
public policy which are continually
presented to the voting public? a
general knowledge Of these subjects,
gained by reading original authorities,
ought to form part Of every mans self
acquired education, and also some
knowledge Of the laws anu customs
which bear upon his own business.
The young especially cannot afford to
be without this description Of useful
knowledge, and yet there are thousands
to whom the idea Of acquiring 1t never
occurs. In the matter of fitness for
companionship and ability to converse,
power to impart knowledge and to APP
preciate and receive it, judicious read
ing is Indispensable. Facts for the
Foundation, Imagination for the embel-
lishment, and a judicious blending of
the useful and ornamental for the fur
nishing, constitute a proper mental
structure. 1t is to the rearing Of this
that youth should be devoted-the
truth including moral as we'll rs NEIL
tai science. The excessive pursuit of
fiction will not answer the conditions.
So, young man, ask yourself before
you enter upon the next sensational
novel, Gan I afford it?"
NARROW EscAPE.-rhe Colusa san
nj rho 18th Savs.