The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1875-12-16

4 MI. curry SHhp ScAGtcf Tile CccuS VI Aiiu
ness and after the singing Of the doxology
the convention closed with a benedction pro
nounced by Rev. William Z. Baker.
The session was one of great harmony, and was
char cteriGed by business tact seldom seen ii
bodies of this kind. We regret Our inability t.
giveamore extended report of the proceedings
hut the absence of one of the editors of this pa
per, and the presence of the other being re
quired in the office. precludcd the possibility
of an attendance on the session.
We have condensed the above proceedings
from the report published in the Richmonc
ssDspatch.''
DIR. SEARS LECTURE ON READING.-Ac-
eorling to announcement, Dir. b. Sears dcliv-
cred a lecture before the Young Meas Chris
tian Association, in the Methodist Church Oil
last Tuesday night, Upon the subject OF
s.sReadng.''
Perhaps no man in the city is as competent,
lcertainly none more SO, to entertain an audi
encc upon subject covering so vast an area
and into which is introduced such wealth of
research and sucE systematic arrangement of
the hordcd treasures of years Of application
and study, as lie to whose pure English and
beautiful thoughts the audience listened, with
no sign Of fatigue, for over an hour Tuesday
night. There is more OF the conversationalist
than orator in DR.. Sears style Of speaking, and
| Its charm consists not less in the absence of
all pedantry, than in the unceasing flow Of the
choicest language, clothing ideas which puzzle
| the listener to decide whether it is the origi-
nality or the elegance Of expression which
more directly challenges his admiration and
rivcts his attention. There is that simplicity
which addresses itself to the scholar and the
uncultvatcd and leads the latter along paths
| to which he is stranger. but Which the fami.-
iarlty of his guide lenders home-lke. and we
| thought, as he spoke of ones acquiring that
command OF language which enabled him to
always apply the right word in its proper
place, that the most striking Illustration of the
truth of his premise could be found in the
sentences of the speaker himself. The subject
matter Of the address comprehended review
OF the results OF reading rs developed iE the
eonversationalist, and in that connection he
cited thc remarkable coloqual powers Of Dr..
Jonsoll, Madame De Stael and others whose
sparkling wit and brilliant rcpartee are still the
admiration Of the student, and said that by
close ant. severe study VIC are enabled to hold
communion with the best society of the ages
past and live among the learned of generations
BEFORE He advised all to read fiction; not the
light, frotlly romances which float around Oh
every breeze, but the productions of the great
masters of literature, as Scott, Bulwer and
'Thackerfly, Whose writings represent the very
essence of history and portray scenes as they
really existed at the periods in which the sto-
ries are founded. Novel reading is a relaxa-
ton. and as such should be INDUCED in but he
who associates altogether with romances. will
disregard the practical affairs Of life. In poe
try he recommended Shakespeare first, and then
the lesser lights, and in history, the standard
writers. 70 those whose opportunities are few,
he laid ont a course of reading comprising Bl-
cons Essays, IIooker's Ecclesiastical Politv,
especially the first book, Halls CONCENTRATIONS,
Bishop Taylor's Works, Shakespeare, Milton.
Dryden, Goldsmith, Pope, Addison, Boswell's
life of Jol,son, and lives of the Poets, Cowper.
Burke and others of like high standard. To
the same class he advised study of the great
epochs Of history as embraced in the careers of
Cicero. Alexander. Charlemansa, Napoleon
and those who have left The deepest imprint on
the records OF the world, and suggested as per
tinent to course of this Kind the study OF
''Freemans Historical Course ''Epochs of
History Historical IIandbooks,'' and other
condensed works. No one, he said, should
real simply for the Incidents of book, but
his greatest incentive should be to closely
study the style of the author, the age in which
he wrote and the thoughts which suggest
themselves, and then, by comparison, draw his
own conclusions.
We have not tried to give even sketch OF
this admirable address, for nothing short of
verbatim report could do it justice. At it's
conclusion DR.. Sears said that he had only
given his views on this important subject. and,
with 4 significant glance at Col. Skinner, added
that he hoped e.e long to hear those Of
member OF the association whose requirements
qualified him to deal worthiiy with so grand a
topic. We are sure that we but speak the SEN
timent OF all present aud many besides in ask
ing that this promised treat be given at no
distant day.
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