Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1874-01-16
Work for Winter Nights.
BY HENRY WARD BEEcHE

The long winter nights are coming, and
those who Lave some thirst for knowledge
will be pondering what they shall read !;
whether to spend money for >prees or for
books, Tor useless physical indulgences or
for concerts, lectures. and other means of
promoting sound information and intellig-
ence. \ few hints on the subject of reading
may be timely.
10 the question, What shall We read > it
is impossible to return a very definite an
swer 1t depends on what things are within
your reach-on your health, your education,
yoar occupation. To keep up with the
worlds current events, every one should read
one or more coed newspapers. \ good fam
ily Journal, if within reach. should be care
fully read
History, biography and travels should ot
course be part of every ones reading. Bat
in this article we do not 50 much wish 10
point out the classes of work to be read as
10 make some suggestions As to methcd.
l. Every man should strive to own a good,
full dictionary-sav Webster'S unabridged
a good general atlas-Say Coltsn's an en-
cyclopedia- a-Applcton'~ is the best for Amer
lean readers good gazetteer-for instance,
Lippincotts. These should he owned, if
possible, at once; otherwise, let one save
money by every means. and procure them as
soon As possible If one has fair wages, and
has the courage 10 live within his means.
aad to save every month. then let him run
in debt for them.
good debt is often like an anchor, and
holds an honest man steady. Ii will help
man to save, if he has before his eyes the
end to be gained, and much money will be
thus invested which might otherwise run
down ones throat, or be fooled away in
trivial suns. But these books are iounda
ton books, and ought to be within reach.
To borrow them is much like borrowing a
candle, 4 teacup, OF bed They are things
which every man should have rs near To him
n 4 mechanic has his tools
, Now, with this stock in trade, come
some suggestions about reading. Never read
anything without going over it aiterward in
your mind to see if you can state 10 yourself
the substance Of what YOU have read. II
would be well, when it can be done, to re-
peat TO some one the information which you
obtain. 1t viii tend to fix attention while
reading, will prevent that smooth, dreamy
way Of sliding over subjects with a yagne
general impression only.
Never suffer word to pas, the meaning
Of which is not clear to YOU. No matter how
often you have to pause, 20 right TO the dc
tionary, and find out the history of the
word. Do not ask your next neighbor. By
looking it up yourself your attention Will be
50 specially directed to it that You viii not
be likely to forget it. In this way ones yo-
cabulary viii be increased with wonderful
rapidity. \ word once conquered viii he
come ever after your faithful servant.
Do not pass by name, or place, with
out finding out about it in your gazetteer. or
biographical dictionary. which, by the by,
should be added to the list Of fundamental
books. 60 to the atlas for every geographi-
cal fact. Read with your map open when
you are upon historical subjects. Associate
Your knowledge with the topography Of the
country to which it belongs.
DO not spare trouble. Do not be too lazy
to take down your feet and stretch out your
arm for the book of reference. After short
experience of such thorough reading, ONE
sef-resrect will be increased and he viii ez-
perience 50 much pleasure in this course that
he will need no exhortation.
Often plain men who read to themselves
are very faulty in their pronunciation
Therefore, rs much rs YOU can, read aloud,
and 20 to your dictionary and gazetteer
whenever a new, doubtful or difficult word
comes before You.
One word as to the expense OF -loh books
as have mentioned. The number may be
had for something over Sl00-say Sl2j.
Now tens of thousands of mechanics smoke
away As much as this every year, ~ drink it
up.
Buying books Is a double Investment. 1t
is both inside and outside property. Books
have Il cash value hut the cultivation Of the
mind which they induce is beyond I'll price.
-N7r York Ledger