The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1874-05-13
; II ::!''i6;isi,'x::El;lElsI]:i|fl H

: 4; : :':::.'::::S!s'i6;si,,T'lI::Fl:!ixxl3i|lf|
" Israeli. We place ourselvss within
IMo spell, not ohiy Of genius, bu, also of
nned sastes and Associations. we lesve
&u' iourself In his Place" for the grand
Work "Lothair." ---.
Inc whole interest Of this novel cen,er.
In its purpose; as a work N l6t,ion ~,
IT'S lkoAlihs garden remarkable for IL,
Isnrubs and flow'crs, for il. Gno walks and
hsAutiful nrbcrs. But when wo consider
tho authors only design, no. moroIv- to
please, ba. chiefly to ,e.ppse political and
religious emptiness and stupidity, i. be.
conesa'work worthy Of UTsraohs nan
ana worth the. perusal of the most refine cd
and thoughtful. 1t exposes tho. triekery
OF both political and religious controversy.
as these exist in that phase Of life which
wo usually term high lifo." Elegant in
style, profound in thought. it maintains
its purpose from beginning 70 end aspor-
'sistsnt'y as does Charles Rcads in "Put
Yourself in his Place" If. DIsraoli,
characters are superficial, It is because
Their representation arc superficial. II
MS conversations are empty in tho book,
Ills because they nre empty A. tho dinner
table sad in The parior. If the
doepe. emotions arc nor stirred, IL is DO.
cause there were no deep emotions TO
arouse. lie has given y sketch of real
life under the grise OF flc.ioh. His tlo,ch
hr6ad ana devoured by no world, when
aformsl treatise woald have had but few
readers.
| a third illos,ratl6h' may DO found in
the writings Of Wiltie Collins, partlsu-
larry in his book entitled "Mau and
| Wife" More refined than NJ Readc,
Less elegant than D'Israeii, hisam is 10
present and correct abuses. HIS plc. is
intricate and exciting. But You mis-. the
she warn sympathy Of Dickens and the
j ss'ire Of Thackcrsy. 9Neverthelsss 70 !,
are rivA:cd to the book by Its .kill and
earne'tncsi. On every page there il c,i-
dent the purpose OF the author, VIZ to
expose Tho .sbsurditiss of-osrtsin laws of
marriage. He produces an impression
which stamps the modern novel rs a
powerful assn! of modern though. and
customs. aA sGS 2pt A1ilt "a
I Fiction then, mas proved to the world
that 1t can occupy noble position In tho
literature Of the times To the mere
charm Of pleasing, il aida tho utility Of
purpose, II can aim a. the xpos IRE and
corrections of evils. It can presen. truth
which in other .res.i.-s would no. be
read. II can produce Impressions, real
and permanent, which the formal work
fails TO produces. sItsrpesl. 70 the ropu-
Tar mind aad tho peoples heart and thus
becomes . universal teacher of right
thinking and right living. Asruch, nov 81
reading ought not TO DO denounced. As
such, novel writing may justly ls. en-
outraged II IL an agent more powerful
than the daily press and much more ct.
fsctivo than the Sunday sermon.
To tho young mind. however. let mo
earnestly add word Of caution. Be.
cause there are SO many ssnseless and in
furious novels in the ~~.il, It
woali be wi;o 10 DO governed
in your. selection of fiction by
lie advice OF older heads. While this
IS true Of all books, I. is specially .ruo OF
the novel. Seek competent advice, and
rend only those which are commanded.
Avoid the trash OF msro eentinen .alism
and love-iick stories, and read only thosc
which are works Of real mort. 14ta 4
Thus far have ! spoken Of the brief
his.sry Of the novel, Of its change Of aim
from merely pleasing 10 doing good and
OF its necessity Of meeting an element in
our nature which cannot be sighted. Let
nae now call your attention to its influence
upon literature and society. fhs s.
Brief as is its history, i. has exerted
marked influence over tho writings Of TIE
times. The number OF our novels, the
| universal custom Of novel reading, the
constant publication OF new novels, rs.u-
rally lead US TO think tha. the novel has
always had place in literature, and con-
sequently that it had exercised no inlu.
ence in other forms Of writings. Blu. not
40. 200 years ago essays were dry discus
sions Of principles and events. While
profound in thought they are difficult to
read. 200 years ago histories wero bald
variations Of incidents and characters, of
politics nnd nations, Scientific books
were purely technical and hard to under.
stand. Controversial books were tedious
and severe, Tho press was dull. The
sermon wa. prosy. The pulpit was gen.
orally lifsle". Now. tho essay is not only
profound, but sparkling and sprightly.
History has become brilliant in rs MARIA
tiona, Science has taken to itself popular
language and reached the minds of the
people. Controversy is laying aside Its
harshnoss for the sympathy which charsc-
terzes human nature. The press has be-
como racy and attractive. Tho sermon
has absndonded its dullness to appeal from
warm hearts to living souls. ..
This 10 owing, not merely to the exis-
tence of novels in tho world, but to the
IL q