The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1872-08-20

ENeTy mdle must nave ulS uilT cut
round according to his cap.
THE PRESIDENTIAL BLIGIIr.-It is
easier to find agreement amongst book
publishers and sellers in the fact that
literature suffers a partial eclipse once
every four years, than in the explanation
OF the fact. Our reading and buying Of
of good books during the war suffered no
diminuton rather. there was increased
vitality in literature, and the general
quickening OF life had its witness here.
Why, then, should the elccting of a pres-
dent absorb mems minds so that they
cannot read, or engage their time SO
tha, they have no opportunity for litera-
ture? We have not generally observed
that those most devoted to literature
have been the largest buyers Of peanuts
and sturdiest walking candlestcks. We
take refuge in generalties, where none
but philosophers can find US, and, striking
match, discover the bearings Of this
dark subject
A presidential election is disturbing,
and not a stimulating element in our
national life. Mems minds are not
absorbed by great political thoughts, but
distracted by petty political complications.
The newspapers, the bumbe-bec politi-
clans all whose trade is in politics, con.
spire to disturb the public mind The
Independence Of the country was a great
historical fact, but the form which its
yearly commemoration takes is an ignoble
noisy one and the Fourth of July is the
worst day Of the year practically, while
the most appropriate otherwise, for hear.
ing calm address on the quality of oul
ioreiathers every ones ear is out of tune
Thus, whatever enduring principle may
be at stake in presidential election, the
caring for which should make all one's
pulses beat quicker, the clatter about il
is so uncomfortable, it is so degraded by
soniio jUh-s anu the base associations -
the racecoursc, that one almost forget.
the principle. from hearing more loudly
than the voice Of the muezzin, the sounC
of the trader below crying his wares
In the name Of the prophet, figs
This temper ofmind, which is constant
ly distracted from high and cheerful
thoughts and occupations, and bidder
concern itself about what is paltry, com
ports very i'll with literary activity o.
with leisurcly reading Of books. Th'
man who is every day stung with th'
nettle-rash of the daily paper, which
under a show of impartiaity, produce
all the petty scandal of the canvass, an'
who possibly even on Sunday puts hi
mind into cool linen, only to be spotte,
by some vigorous Jehu who is drivin,
his chariot of words over the kings high
way,-such a one is more likely to see
relief in fishing or in running over t
Europe than IN literature.
1t adds to the general melanchol
state Of things" that with the absence @
good literature in the presidential yeai
there is the ebowing forward of mo
of books which skulk in corners at a
; other times. Lives that wink horribly
campaign songsters that wear their hat
; on one side, and make as much nos
when they refrain as ordinary books {
poetry do without refrain, jest book
: that chuckle diaboical y-these are tn
representatives of literature that no
come forward, and make us wish for som
general franking privilege which woul
allow quiet voters to send the whole ra
: in mail bags of iron down to the depth
OF the Implanted sea.
> The dreariness Of this outlook maxi
more emphatic the truth that the iteri
ture of country bears distinct relatio,
" not to the size Of the territory, nor to II
growth Of the population, nor TO its for
" of government, nor even to its systems
education, but TO its vitality as II NOR
a being The cleansing OF the Augea
v stables, upon which high hopes have be,
y based Of public security, Is essential al
' to the right Growth of pure literature
but we find ourselves entering upon a
y other subject -RirerSide Bulletin.
Many Republicans are disposed to Il
IL tach blame to Horace Greeley for bal
ing jeff Davis. Here is what Hem