The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1878-10-18
study At Home.

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From newspapers we get certain
sort Of culture, but the reading OF news
papers docs not make sch0lar-never
did, never can. From the perusal Of
magazines we get another kind of cu1-
ture, and one OF great value, but maga-
zines can never be made TO I'LL the place
OF books. Tho subject under consider
alton changes too often, Is not sniff
ciently elaborated, is not kept before
the mind long enough 10 make It's due
impression. Take for example Ma
cauley's brilliant essay on Milton. A
person having read that may form q
very good conception Of Millions life
and character. But let one read Mas
sons Life OF Milton in two volumes,
and for n while he lives Millions life,
he gives himself time 20 como nnder
tho moulding influence of that great
mans mind, to think his thought, to
comprehend his motives, 10 DO lifted
MP to the level on which Milton habit.
ually lived; 50 that the great poet bo-
comes, so 70 speak, a part OF him, and
the sympathetic reader is quickened by
and transfused with the spirit OF that
iuminary of his age. While we cannot
dispense with periodical literature.
with volumes OF essays aud naiscellan-
les, we must remember that they are
side e-dishes. "made-dishes, and not the
ataples-tho bread and meat-of intel
iectual life and growth. For these we
must go TO books.
Right here comes in the question
"What books shall We begia with ?"
Tho answer to this question may vary
IN each individual case. and must be
decided according to the circumstances
and abilities Of each one who asks it.
Some cannot procure such books as
they would like, and must take what
they can got; others have ability to
procure what books they choose, but
must first develop capacity 70 compre-
hend and assimilate what they
would read. In general way the fol.
lowing outline Of procedure may be
found helpful. Those who wish to
read history should begin with that Of
their oBn country; from this take up
English history; that will lead 10 the
study Of tho history Of the different
nations OF modern Europe and back to
Roman history. This thread il is easy
TO follow 30 far, and when one has done
that he can be his own guide in further
historical readings. In science the
student may begin with himself and
master tho elements of physiology as
given in our textbooks; then he may
take mp the rocks under his feet and
study geology, or he may study the
''stnrs in their courses" and become nc
quainted with the outlines Of astrono-
my. The sciences go hand in hand; he
cannot go far in geology without being
compelled 10 know something Of chem
istry, of botany, of zoology, Of the
whole ''circie Of sciences" But though
the field il boundlcas, he has only one
thing TO learn at time, Just al with all
eternity before him he has only one
moment TO live at time. The measure
OF his success in accommodating knowl-
edge viii be his patience. his persist
ence, his industry, his thoroughness in
learning we'll one thing at time. II
English literature is what the home
student desires 10 acquaint himself
with, he may begin with soInc manual
something like Harper's Half-Houg
Series containing specimens of Eng
liah literature in the several stages of
its development. 50 that he may have q
taste of il from the beginning down to
the present time. Afterward he may
read up more fully the different authors
of whose style he has bad taste. In
the selection of these his readings in
history will help him.
An hour given every day to the pur-
suit of any ono study viii amount in a
year to fifteen days Of solid work, or to
term OF twelve weeks OF study for six
hours every day, counting out Satur-
days apd Sundays, and allowing five
days over for interruptions. What our
students at home need TO do is to count
the moments of every day, crowding
all work into work hours, so that hours
Of study need not be encroached upon,
BY regular and systematic employ
ment of these long evenings, so soon to
be ours, the diligent and persistent
student at home may enrich his mind
enlarge his intellectual boundaries, and
feel himself day by day growing il
wisdom, in knowledge, in capacity fol
enjoyment, in the ability to command
that outlook upon the world and lif,
which liberal education gives. Nea
York Tribune.