The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1873-07-05
A LAUDARLE ENTERPRISE.

We DGIOUEs Iii OlEo ICto0 W. NtAANS
prospective circulating library which we
understand will shortly go into opera
ton in our midst, and which we hope
will not only prove a lucrative expert
ment to the enterprising gentleman who
initiates it, but o source of ~incalculable
pleasure and improvement to the lnhab-
itants of St. Landry.
Books are O vital necessity in any conf
munity where they are j~udiciOusly Sc
lected. The greatest difference exists
between a non-reading people and those
who keep themselves an courant OF all
the new ideas, and progress of the cen
fury to which they belong. To ignorant
people books are a superhuity or luxury
without which the world would do very
we'll but educate this ignorance up to a
certain expansion of ideas, and the man
can no more do without books than re-
turn to the seanty clothing of an early
and nomadic life. -
We certainly agree hattherea are books
and books. Some so pernicious that q
country flooded with sensational trash
is in a situation ten times worse than a
country which eve saw book and liz
not know the letters of the alphabet.
We prefer the profoundest ignorance to
an education of vicious sensuousness,
and too much Of our light modern liter
allure comes under that ban. A circula-
ting library though is expectedto cater
for varied tastes, and so highly wrought
sensational novels will probably be most
in demand. They always are in CON-
munities where the taste has not been
cultivated up to the highest standard;
but if we are allowed a suggestion, we
would suggest that the vilest OF the spe-
cies Of Hetairian literature, which is nov
flooding the land, should not be intro
duced into this new experiment.
In an inland town like 0pelousas, cut
off, to a certain extent, from outside in
fuences, there is a peculiar need OF liter
ary Few among us are able
TO take all the best periodicals which
keep people posted upon the literature,
science and industries of the age. For
nominal sum acirculating library, If
wen conducted, will fill this need, and
also place excellent standard works
within the reach of the most straitened
means.
The booksellers, Ellis& Bros, of New
Orleans have, for some time, soughtto
meet the literary needs Of country people
by an extension of their enterprise into
the remotest portion Of the State. Fo1
twelve dollars q year, fourteen books are
sent q month. Few persons have time
to read more than one hundred and six
weight books a year, if the books are
worth reading, and the greatest book
deyourer cannot more than treble that
number which he gets at proportional
prices. But a circulatingli library, nearer
at hand, would be far more convenient
on every account. The perils of the
TRANSFORMATION of books to a distance
and the weekly or monthly freight Of
the box which contains them would be
obviated by a home circulating library
We wish the enterprise the immediate
guceessi it deserves. ShoulditproVe sue
cessful, a reading room would be tht
next requirement, and one who has neVel
enioyed them can hardly understand thu
delight of these cosy literary hooks
where every appliance, both for reading
or writing, lie at hand. The smalles
town, Northor West, enjoy these advan
tages, and three hundredinhabitants ar
quite sufficient to insure the place tn
advantage of library and reading room
We will acquafnt u readers viii
further particulars ais so0n as we lear
them. We only know the plan is still
in abeyanee, but feel confdentit viii b
carried out to fuI1lment without loss o
time. It will depend, however, upon th
announcement given by the citizens.
list is now ct the Postofice waiting TO
subscribers. For a dollara month a per
son a get as many books as he cares t
read duringthe week Nftyif he wishes
only, however, taking out one at q time
go
Blackwoods Edinburgh Magazine
American Edition, for june publishe
by tie Leonard Scott Publishing Go
40 Fulton street, New York, has bee
received. This number contains Boo
VII Of q story entitled the Parisians
conclusion Of the Doctor Abroad; Anna
teur Theology; Arnolds Literature an
Dogma: conclusion of o True Reforms
Our Coming Guest; AIRS. O1iphant
Novels; and, the Second Gladstone Ad
ministration. The table of contents,
viii be seen Is very Interesting. Th
subscription price is 50 per nun
We have received d number DC I'll
Stanton, (va.) Vindieator, which giY'
areport Of the commencement exercise
of the Virginia Female Institute, Whic
occurred there the 9th, 18th and 12t
DAYS Of June. We obsepYe that Miss l
{. skiing, danghterof Judge John f. Kin
Of OpelOnsas, received Gold Badges
Distinctionn for Elocutien, Germa
French md Vocal Music, besides pc
forming several important parts in h
programme Of exercises.
a. conscientious Pittsbmg man pror
ised his wife, tile other DAP that
wouldn't drink another drop dis long
he had i hair on his head. That ne
night he had his head shaved sasoo
SO han got DRINK. with d npnnd go