The Canton mail. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 18??-1882, 1875-10-23
A SUGGESTION.

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one has time to read everything worth
attentionin 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 50, the Oft-repeated advice
Read the best books, bears constant repe.
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
acguainting themselves with current
events and opinions thereupon. They
| generally take a paper, such as this
journal, and find recreation and instruc-
ton in its miscellaneous contents. But
| they feel that this is not sufficient; that
they should engage themselves, if but
for half an hour a 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 suggestion which may he found
profitable.
1t is simply this: That they make it
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 as
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 Htera-
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 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
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 century's toll i'm liter
airy fields; 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 compre-
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 compare
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
1irect 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,
t 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
ounds which compose the spirits with
heir delicious sweetness.
Such delight and instruction, elevation
md enlargement of soul, are within the
each of all who read these words. An
xcellently edited copy. of the divine
,oem, of which we have spoken, may be
for an insignificant amount.
We commend our suggestion in conf
lence and the hope that it will be made
York Weekly.