Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1878-11-25
3aaies' Column.
STUDY AT HOME.

From newspapers we get certain
sort of culture, but the reading of new
papers does not make scholar-never
did, never can. From the perusal of
magazines we get another kind of cul-
ture, and one Of great value, but maya
zines can never be make to FIJI the place
of books. The subject under considera-
ton changes too often, is not kept be-
fore the mind long enough to make its
due impression. Take for example
Macaulay's brilliant essay on Milton.
A person having read that, may form
a very good conception of Millions life
and character. But let one read Ma
sons life of Milton in two volumes, and
for while he lives Millions life, he
gives himself time to come under the
moulding influence of that great mans
mind, to think his thought, to compre-
bend his motives, to be lifted up to the
level on which Milton habitually lived !;
so that the great poet becomes so to
speak. part of him, and the sympa-
thetic reader is quickened by and trans
fused with the spirit of that luminary
of his age. While we cannot dispense
with periodical literature, with volumes
of essays and miscellanies. we must re-
member that they are side. dishes,
"made-dishes, and not the staples
the bread and the meat-of intellectual
life and growth. For these we must 60
to books.
Right here comes in the question,
"What books shall we begin with %
The 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 wha
they can get; others have ability t.
procure what books they choose, but mus
first develop capacity to comprehend
and assimilate what they would read
In general way the following outlin
of procedure may be found helpful
Those who wish to read history shoult
begin with that of their own country
from this take up English history; tina
st will lead to the study of the history 0
the different nations of modern Europ
and back to Roman history. Thi
thread it is easy to follow so far, an
when one has done that he can be hi
own guide in futher historical reading
s. In science the student may begin wit
himself and master the elements {
: physiology as given in our text books
then he may take up the rocks undo
q his feet and study geology, or he ma
80 study the ''stars in their courses" an
he he become acquainted with the outlin,
nd of astronomy. The sciences 60 ban
~ in hand he cannot go far in geolog
: without being compelled to know som
thing of chemistry, of botany, of zoolog
n of the whole "circle of sciences" B
> though the field is boundless, he b
only one thing to learn at time, ju
as with all eternity before him he h
only one moment to live at time. tt
measure of his success in accumulate
knowledge will be his patience. b
sM persistence, his industry, his thoroug
he ness in learning one thing at time.
Nv English literature is what the hor
is student desires to acquaint himself wit
nee he may begin with some manual-son
Ost thing like Harper's Half Hour SER
nn, containing specimens of Englih litel
can ture in the several stages of its develc
in ment, so that he may have taste Of
from beginning down to the prese
d. time. Afterward he may read up mt
fully the different authors of whose st,
bic he has had taste. In the select
AL' of these his readings in history will h,
him.
An hour given each day to the pl
/, suit of any one study will amount ii
year to fifteen days of solid work,
. to a term of twelve weeks of study
six hours every day, count-out Sat
1Q days and Sundays, and allowing
NJ days over for Interruptions. What
students at home need to do is to CO,
= the moments of every day, crowding
work into work hours, so that str
" need not be encroached upon. By re
lar and systematic employment of tn
'CU long evenings. SO soon to be ours,
for diligent and persistent student at he
scso may enrich his mind, enlarge his in
az lectual boundaries, and feel himself
lP%lss by day growing in wisdom, in knowle
in capacity for enjoyment, in the abb
}. to command that lookout upon
b, world and life which liberal educa
gives York Tribune.
gal. SOCIETY SHAMs.-lt is astonisl
bbl. | now manv rich manila condaeoapd