The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1874-04-24
EMPORIA NEW s.
FRIDAY, APRIL d, 1874.
READING ALOuD.

To young ladies the habit of
reading aloud has much to recon-
mend it. AS mere exercise it is
highly beneficial on account of
the strength and vigor which it
confers on the chest and lungs;
while the mental pleasures to be |
derived therefrom is one of the |
most delightful that can adorn
the family circle. Gathered
round the Winters fire or evening
lamp, what could be more cheerful
Tor aged and in1irm, what more
instructive to the younger branch
es, or more exemplary to the care
less than the reading aloud of
some entertaining author, and
who could do this with greater
grace or more impression than q
youthful female? 1t requires no
great effort to attain this art, no
neglect of music, painting, or 9th
er accomplishment; it is in fact,
more n practice than study, and
one which the interest excited by
new books and periodicals would
always prevent from becoming
dull and tiresolne.
When females of all ranks
adopt this practice more than they
do at present they would bind to
their homes many who are other
wise disposed to go in search of
unworthy enjoyments, and would
add another chain of delightful
associations whereWith to attach
the young to the family hearth.
Another advantage which it
would confer on the fair readers
themselves would be the i'm
proved utterance and intonation
which correct reading would pro-
duce, instead of that simpering
and lisping which are so often to
he met with even among females
of the higher classes.
Nor is it to women in their do
nestle capacity only that the
practice of reading aloud would
he attended with bcSeiit. Many
of the middle and lower classes
are under the necessity of earning
a livelihood by indoor employ
ment, such as millinery, straw
plating, pattern-making and the
like, and being in general occu-
pied in one apartment of moder-
ate size, the reading aloud of
proper books would be to them
not only a source of healthy rec
reation, but of amusement and in
struction. In such establish
ments reading by turns would pre-.
sent beautiful picture, and how
ever limited the amount of infor-
nation disseminated, it would at
all events be a thousand times
preferable to THAT system of idle
and worthless gossip which is
said now co prevail.
To young men preparing fol
professional labors the art of read
ing aloud is indispensable; and al
though not equally necessary for
what arc called business men, still
it is becoming and valuable &C
quirement. Ask your son, who
has lately gone to the counting
room, to read you the last speech
of the British Premier, or the
message of the American Presi-
dent, and ten TO one he will rattle
through it with such q jumbling
indistinctncss OF uttcrancc that
you are glad when his hour calls
him away, and leaves you TO the
quiet enjoyment of self.perusal.
And why is this? Simply be-
cause the youth has never been
taught to regard reading aloud in
the light of graceful accomplish
ment. At school ne learned to
know his words, and that was use
full; but to read rs n gentleman, in
the spirit and meaning of the au-
thor, that is what he has yet to
acquire by imitation of good
models and by frequent practice.