Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-05-04
NO. LOG.
LOVE OF BOOKS.
BY REV. ROBERT II. WILLIAMS.

A man who loves books will generally
put the right estimate upon time. Many
men have taken hours from their sleep at
night and in the morning-"shorten
sleep at both ends"-that they might learn
the contents of books. Samuel johnson
was on his way to bed when book came.
IN which he became so much interested
that he sat up till he had read it through.
Sir William Hamilton received Carlyle's
French Revolution about three in the after
noon, and was not able to Law it aside un-
til four in the morning.
1t is said of Burke, the English states
man, that he commenced reading book
at seven in the morning, and could not
leave it moment, but sat up all night
reading it.
But that is not ALL A love of books
adds to our happiness. Said one II no
sooner come into the library, but bolt the
door after excluding lust, ambition, ava
rice, and all such vices, whose nurse is
ldleness, the mother of ignorance and
melancholy herself, and in the very lap of
eternity, amidst so many divine souls.
take my seat with so lofty spirit, and
such sweet content, that | pity all the
great and rich who know not this happi-
ness"
1t is related Of Rev. Henry Patillo, that,
his house having taken fire during his alb.
sence, the first exclamation when he met
his wife was, "My, dear, are my books
safe ?" On receiving an affirmative an
swer, thanked God, and was perfectly sat
islied.
Roscoe, the author, had been unfortun-
ate in business, and had TO part with his
books. In doing this, he wrote few
verses showing that to part with them was
the keenest anguish he had to bear.
"ile was never happy" said Rogers,
speaking of Southey, except when max
ing or reading book
This love OF books really adds to our
usefulness. Franklin derived impressions
from the reading Of De Foes works.
which he declared infienced some of the
events of his life. And of an
other work by Cotton Mather he said:
''All the good | have ever done to nv
country or my fellow w-creatures, must be
ascrlbed to the impressions produced on
my mind, 10y perusing that little work in
my youth"
Every day we find in the biography of
those who have passed away, the infiu.
ence books have had upon them And the
Bible, and books filled with Bible truth,
are the foremost in awakening to activity
and usefulness
Now, since the love Of books brings so
many benefits, this love ought to be de-
veloped. And this can be done by all.
Books are so cheap in our day, that every
man may have library of his own And
the gathering of books, even if it be only
one in several months, will in a few years
make Il respectable number And no one
can tell the benefit his little library may be
to him.
Says one. showing his large and valua-
bic library: The first piece of money!
ever had | spent for a book. 1t was the
Progress. we'll remember how
pleased | was That book laid the foun-
dation Of my library. All the pence my
uncle gave me, saved for books. Every
book bought | longed to read. and that
prevented my time as we'll as my money
from being wasted
III any money was given TO Isaac Watts,
when child. his cry was: "A book,
book, buy book.
DR.. Guthrie, in his autobiography, says
about his childhood: "Almost the only
book we possessed interesting to young
minds was the Pilgrims Progress. For
the possession o! this, an old copy, illus
trated by rough and grotesque woodprints
of Christian with his staff and Giant De-
spair with his bludgeon, and Mr.. Great
heart with his sword. my next brother and
had contention every Sabbath II the
Lords day was WEAKNESS to us, as it
was, the blame lay not with
it, but with those who did not provide
reading and discourses suited to the
young. With the variety, and piquancy,
and attraetiveness of books nowadays pro-
vided for Sabbath use, there is no excuse
Tor people, whether old or young, seeking
relaxation in museums. or public gardens,
or Sunday excursions. or saying that the
Sabbath is WEAKNESS, and wishing il
were over"