The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1875-10-22
A SUGGESTION.

In the multiplicity of books, it may
be asked, What shall / read? No
one has time to read everything worth
attention in hisown language, not to speak
of the ancient classics and the greatest
works in German and French, which
| comparatively few are able to attack.
This being so, the oft-repeated advice.
Read the best books, bears constant repc-
tition as good and wholesome counsel.
The majority of people who peruse this
| page, busy from morn to eve, the women
| in their domestic duties, and the men in
manual industry or in trade, cannot spare
more than a short time every day for
reading in addition to that which they
devote to their religious duties, and in
acquainting themselves with current
events and opinions thereupoD. They
generally take a paper, such as this
journal, and find recreation and instruc-
tiOn in its miscellaneous contents. But
they feel that this is not sufficient; that
they should engage themseyes, if but
for half an hour day, in a study which
will not heavily take their energies, but
at the same time give them the conscious
ness that they are making substantial
mental progress. We believe this de-
scriptiOn applies with reference to many
of our readers, to whom we venture to
present a suggestion which may lee found
profitable.
1t is simply this: That they make il
a part of the daily routine Systematically
to employ themselves upon one of the
best books in the mother tongue. In our
opinion, excepting in special cases, the
pursuit of information merely, such rs
history, natural science, etc, will be
found less advantageous than the intel
lectual discipline afforded by the thorough
study of the greatest poets and moral
lists. A person, for example, who has
worked sufficiently upon Millions Para
disc Lost, as to enjoy it, has accomplished
no ordinary feat. This magnificent work
remains, as it probably ever will be, the
most splendid example in English litera-
ture of what the human spirit is capable
of producing, the most exalted natural
abilities being aided by vast erudition
and the sublime purpose bred of a virtu
Gus, studious and devout life. This
wondrOus orb of song" as Wordsworth
calls it, to be thoroughly known and APP
preciated, requires such labOrious dill !
gence as may well be compared with the !
pains which nature imposes upon those |
who would enrich themselves with the |
multifariOus products of the planet upon |
which we live. But what gain must |
follow the necessary application. To |
enumerate but a few of the advantages |
accruing to the conscientious student of |
its teeming pages. AS to information, |
here is an unsurpassed exhibition of |
beauty and exactness in the use of words, |
the result of half a century's toll in liter
ary fields; a comprehensive presentation |
of the beautiful mythology of the Greeks; |
references to history and story which |
delightfully."- suggest much reCreative and |
instructive reading within reach by the
aid of most city libraries, and a cOmprc-
hensive outline of revealed religion. Still
nobler gains, however, are left to be
spoken of, if, indeed, the mention Of this
wonderful book does not in itself suggest
them. Where, apart from the Sacred
Volume itslef, shall we look for an equal
sustained sublimity of thought and de-
for theme anywise compara-
BILE to that which is treated in its, we
had almost written, infinite vastness
of subject, including, as it does, heaven,
earth and the lower world and their
with their various purposes
and emotions? Let us think, moreover,
of its wondrous moral teaching, in both
direct expression and by implication.
And, not to multiply words, the varied
of its numbers, is the lasting
wonder and despair of the poets. To
borrow a thought from the appreciative
Cowper: Like the huge cathedral organ,
it embodies every variety of musical
verse: the deep, loud and swelling tones
which overwhelm the mind with their
grandeur, the tender vibrations which
move the passions, and the soft and silvery
sounds which compose the spirits with
their delicious sweetness.
Such delight and instruction, elevation
and enlargement of soul, are within the
reach of all who read these words. An
excellently edited copy of the divine
poem, of which we have spoken, may be
purchased for an insignificant amount.
We commend our suggestion in conf
lence and the hope that it will be made
York Weekly.