Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1881-03-23

by etiquette. but the thought which they
did not uncover to their bosom friend is
here written out in transparent words to
us, the strangers OF another age.
We owe to books those benefits which
come from high intellectual action. Thus
| think we often owe to them the percep-
ton of immortality They impart sympa-
thetic activity to the moral power. Go
with mean people and you think life is
mean. Then read Plutarch and the world
is proud place, peopled with men OF
positive quality, with heroes and deml-
gods. standing around us. who will not
let us sleep. Then they address the I'M
only poetry inspires poetry.
1t seems to me that we would derive
much more benefit from books If we
would better learn how to use them. Much
time is lost in not knowing what and how
to read. The man who with no method
first reads this and then that, first frag-
ment of ancient history, then chapter
upon natural science, now biography
and then novel. will accomplish compar-
atively little. Much would be gained IN
having definite plan in the mind, IN
knowing beforehand what we want to
accomplish, and then going to work with
the determination of accomplishing that
object. Without such plan our knowledge
will be mere fragments-patchwork put
together with no order.
If the time for reading and study IS
limited, then there is the more need of
order. When the hour comes that we can
spend in reading or study, we should know
Just what to take up. Does any one claim
that he has no time to readP Then take
time. In one hour, even, each day, spent
in close application in accordance with a
well defined plan, much may be accom-
plished. Who has not an hour thus to
spend dailyp Who does not spend more
than that time uselessly each dayp
The assertion that one has no time 10
read is equivalent to saying that he has no
desire so to do. Where there is a will
there is way. No time to improve the
mind. Unlucky man, for what purpose
were your intellectual and moral faculties
given you, if not for Improvement and
elevationp
The OK that crops his food from the
green hillside, Stakes his thirst from the
waters of the bubbling spring and gently
reposes beneath the shade, acts in accord
ance with his nature. The man who
works. eats, drinks and sleeps, gratifying
nothing but his animal wants, abuses his
better, nobler nature.
Were q love of knowledge developed in
our children and were they supplied with
the means of gratifying the want thus
created in the shape of good and proper
books, we should hear less of bad boys
Says Horace Mann: when the intense
burning activity of the youthful faculties
shall find employment in sautary or pleas
ing studies or occupations. then will par
ents be able to Judge better of the alleged
proneness of children to mischief. Until
then children have not a fair trial before
their Judges
The boy that has thirst for knowledge
and consequent love for books and who
finds the proper books at horne or in the
circulating library enjoys greater pro
lection against the alurements OF sinful
pleasures than could be afforded by the
most affectionate admonition or by the
exercise of parental authority in all it
severity.
Those books should be read which, while
giving culture to the mind, will also impar
that kind of knowledge which will render
one efficient in his own calling. The
farmer should spend portion of his read
ing hours in the study of works touching
upon agriculture and those sciences which
relate to it. He is mistaken who thinks
that the farmer must necessarily be dull
fellow The board is doing good work in
dispelling this delusion, and in teaching
the farmer that knowledge is of benefit tc
him.
The farmer should know something OIL
agricultural chemistry and geology; Of
fertilizers, their nature, management and
application of farm drainage, where and
how it should be applied; of the different
breeds of cattle and sheep and their man
agcment: of fruits and their cultivation
After doing this he can better jndge Of
the treatment which his own farm requires
and be more able to profit from his own
experience.
TO use the language of another; The
farmer who regards either interest or en-
ioyment will read agricultural books
They give him not only needed informa-
ton about soils, crops and their manage
ment but theg afford means of personal
culture by dropping the seeds of thought
the DEVELOPMENT and growth of which
perfect the man. But the farmer needs
other reading in addition to this. Besides
that knowledge which will perfect him in
his own calling, he needs that which will
increase his worth and influence as a man
and a citizen "
Then let us cultivate in ourselves and
our children taste for good books, and
then let us be careful in our selection. A.
we would make the most of our time and
opportunities upon whatever subject we
read, we should take only the best authors
Nothing should be be read at all which i.
not worth reading the second time There
are comparatively few great origina
works, TO borrow an expression: 18th,
great mass of books are but elucidatior
and commentary, but echoes and weaken
ers of the few great voices of time"
1t is ALWAYS better to read the works o.
GREAT thinkers rather than those of inferior
minds; better to read the works of Scot
and Dickens rather than dime novels Of
:. the blood and thunder stories " of tn,
flash newspapers.
A book or newspaper NAV not be essen
ljally bad in and of itself; NAV not exer
an unhealthy moral influence. vet if il
reading that book or paper | take tim,
which might be spent in reading some