Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1881-07-03
Reading.

Many Lad toiling on the farm, or at the
mechanics bench, or perchance at the fore
castle, has dreams of what he might be and
do if he were only educated. The most
part only dream, because they do not make
an effort to advance themselves. 1t is not
because the majority have not talent enough
to acquire an education, but because they
have not sufficient energy to develop their
resources. Now every boy and girl has
more chances to obtain an education than
children formerly had; and there is not a
boy or girl in our enlightened country who
cannot devote one hour out of the twenty
four to reading useful, instructive books.
Many of our famous authors, statesmen,
and cultured men of science labored under
untold disadvantages in their youth, but
they persevered and left behind g footprints
in the sands of time " worthy to be followed
after by every succeeding generation.
Robert Bloomfield, the honored British
poet whom great men revere and honor,
was only poor shoemakers apprentice;
and it did not seem very probable while he
pegged away at his trade that he would
ever be honored associate of the learned and
great. But by employing every spare mo-
| ment in cleaning in the fields of knowledge
| he rose to cultured eminence. Elihu Burritt,
| Familiarity called thelearned blacksmith, was
| a poor man and worked increasingly at his
trade to obtain living, and to save money
| to buy his beloved books. Yet while work
| ing from dawn till dark he found time to
| master fifty languages and to perfect HIM
self in the sciences. There are many other
instances to show what perseverance and
energy will do. So by improving the talent
| that God has given you may make for your
self name that will not die when you die,
but live on, and on a. ponument to your I'M
ceasing industry. :
| 1t is far better to read one page attentive
| ly and Understandings than to skim whole
volume, and only half grasp its meaning. 1t
| is the saying of scholar of human nature,
beware of the man of one book" He
| who reads little, thoroughly, would be SO
skilled that it would be difficult to contra
| diet him. Have system about your read
ing. If possible, lay aside an hour two
hours, or as much time as you can, for read
| ing. Have the hours at certain, time and
| allow nothing to interfere with them.
| Give your undivided attention to the subject
before you, and in the course of one year
! you will be surprised at the amount of in
| formation you will have gained and the
| higher thought and feelings which fill
your mind. And do not read everything.
| Lord Bacon says: 'Some books are to be
tasted; others are to be swallowed; and
some few to be chewed and digested." That
| is some are to be skinned; some are to be
read, but not curiously; while others should
be so read that if the book We're lost the best
parts if not all, could be reproduced by the
reader. But whatever else you neglect, do
not forget the little book of white paper, a
notebook in which you can jot down each
happy thought and passing fancy. Many
of our best authors took notes, that is wrote
their thoughts in disjointed sentences as
they occurred to them, from which they
afterward formed most elaborate and beau
tiful productions. Now, who will form the
resolution of reading an hour every day and
carry it out faithfully to the end of the year?
Be assured you will find yourself amply re-
paid Remember that theJmore slowly and
thoughtfully you read, the more you will
retain of it,-Olla Reed Nc Cristie.