Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1874-09-10
Work for Winter Nights.

Inc iong winter nights are coming, ant
those who have some thirst for knowl
edge Will be bordering what they shall
read: whether to spend money for sprees
or books, for useless physical indulgences
or for concerts, lectures and other means
OF promoting sound Information and in
telligence. A few hints on the subject OF
reading may be timely.
To the question, What shall we read, II
Is impossible to return a very definite an
swer. IL depends on what things are
within your reach-on your health, your
education. your occupation. To.keep up
with the worlds current events. every one
should read one or more good newspapers.
A good family Journal, IL within reach.
should be carefully read.
History, biography and travels should of
course be part OF every ones reading.
But In this article we do not SO much wish
to point ont the classes of works to be read
as to make some suggestions as to method.
/. Every man should strive TO own
good full dctionary-say Webster una
bridged; good general atlas-say Colton's :;
an lopedia-Appleton's is best for
American readers; a good gazetteer-for
instance, Lippincott's. These should be
owned. If possible. at once; otherwise,
let one save money by every means. and
procure them as fast as possible. II one
has fair wages. and has the courage TO live
within his means, and to save every N nth,
then let him run in debt for them.
\ good debt is often like an anchor, and
holds an honest man steady. 1t will help
man to save, IL he has right before his
eyes the end TO be gained. and much mon
ey will be thus invested which might 9TH
erwise run down ones throat, or be fooled
foundation books, and ought TO be within
reach. To borrow them Is much like Dor
rowing candle, teacup, or bed. They
are things which every man should have
n near TO him as mechanic has his tools.
2. Now. with this stock in trade, come
some suggestions about reading. Never
read anything without going over it afser-
ward in your mind to see II you can state
to yorrseirthe substance of what YOU have
read. Ii would be well. when II can be
done. TO repeat 10 some one the informal
ton which you obtain. Il will tend to fix
attention while reading, will prevent that
smooth, dreamy way OF sliding over sub
jects with vague general impression
only.
Never suffer word TO pass, the mean
ing of which is not clear TO you. No mat
ter how often you have to pause, go right
10 the dictionary. and find out the history
OF the word. Do not ask your next neigh
Dor. BY looking ii up yourself your at
tention will be so specially directed to it
that you will not be likely TO forget it, In
this way ones vocabulary will be increased
with wonderful rapidly. A word once
becomes ever AFTER your faith
ful servant.
DO not Pass By name, or a place, with
ont finding out about it in your gazetteer.
or biographical dictionary. which. BY the
~ Nh'AtN nc abAfn W Nut ll>l VI luHuA-
mental books. Go TO the atlas for every
fact. Read with your map
open when you are upon historical sub
jects. Associate your knowledge with the
of the country TO which IL be-
longs.
Do not spare trouble. Do not be too
lazy TO take down your feet and stretch
out your. arm for the book of reference.
Alter a shcxt experience of such thorough
reading. ones self-rcspect will be increa>-
ed and he will experience SO much pleas
ure in this course that he will need no ex-
hortaiion.
Often plain men, who read to themselves,
are very faulty in their pronunciation.
Therefore, as much as you can. read
aloud, and 20 10 your dictionary and
gazetteer whenever a new. doubtful or
difficult wore comes before you.
One word as to the expense of such
books as ! have mentioned. The whole
number may be had for something over
one hundred dollars-say hundred and
twenty-five. Now tens of thousands of
mechanics smoke away as much as this
every year, or drink it up Henry Ward
Beecher.