Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-10-30
Readlng-.-What is It2

Comparatively few have sufficiently re-
Elected upon this question to answer 1t intel
ligently or practically, or so as to know how
to avoid the dangers incident to reading and
secure the helps which it offers. What,
then, Is reading? 1t isthe art or method of
conveying TO the mind an idea, or series of
ideas, by words. II this be the real aim and
result of reading; ii reading really carries
over into the mind of the reader the ideas of
the book read; or the thoughts, feelings,
sentiments, purposes and all that unite to
form the character of the book, this of it,
self directs in regard to the character and
choice of the books we should read. 1t directs
us to shun the bad and choose the good
only. For it is the ideas that enter the
mind that determine the character and
conduct, and decide What the life and des-
tiny shall be. The ideas, or the thoughts
and feelings, the inspiration and aim, the
purpose and elevation of the book carried
into the mind, are the good or bad seed
the wheat or tares-that bring forth in life
fruit according to their kind. Thorns do
not bring forth grapes, nor thistles figs.
Whatsoever man soweth that shall he also
reap.
We hold up these plain and acknowl.
fatal mistake that not few make, or al.
low to be made, in the choice of books for
themselves or others, especially for the
young. The mistake is in The supposition
that reading of itself-reading of any kind
of book and every kind--mere redding will
form a taste for good reading reading that
will reform manners, improve character
and make life better. Many books are Sc
ected by parents and teachers and guar
dians; libraries even are formed on this
false and evil principle mere reading
will form a taste for good reading, and so
result in improvement and perfection of
character aud life,
The mistake is not in the supposition
hat reading of itself reading-forms
he taste and strengthens the habit of read
ng, for this is true but that reading--read-
ing anything good, bad or inlifferent-creates
The taste for good reading. To suppose this
i to contradict first principles aud main.
tain that thorns bring forth grapes. Only
good reading fosters the taste for good
reading.
Reading, teaching and association are
dixie in this respect. Good teaching only
tho tag ,npD,ras IA, rrh Il
moves to noble purposes. Good association
only, choice company, elevat9s character and
r4fnes life. SO it is fallacy destructive
and fatal to suppose that bad book or a
npid and weak book, simply because it is
a book, will infuse strength, reform vicious
taste or create pure one and lead to the
choice of that which is high and noble aud
perfect; or in any way inspire to life that
is ever rising to perfection. They impel
only downward to deeper degradation and
disgrace. Good books only rightly chosen
in respect to time and place, and well read,
can lift upward.
Precisely here lies one of the difficulties
Of reforming certain classes OF society, aud
cleansing the slums and sloughs OF our
cities, large towns and villages. The low,
vile literature, so called on which they have
been fed, has made strong the appetite and
stomach for garbage. This, digested as it
is, makes no bone or muscle, or healthy
flesh and blood The taste for good books
and all kinds of wholesome reading must
be cultivated and the demand for them
created. Let parents and teachers heed
this, and the guardians of society every
where conform to it. Let good books only
be selected-books approved by the best.
Let libraries be collected only by this rule.
Encourage no other, allow no other