Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-06-03
THE SCHOOL,, THE BAR AND TIE

Among the many conventions that assem-
bled in this country the last month was one
at Cincinnati of librarians. Among the
many interesting facts brought forward there
illustrative of the usefulness of public libra
ries, Mr.. Green, Of Worcester, Mass, pointed
out their value In connection with the public
schools. The library is not merely a means
Of continuing study after school days are
over, but it is also an invaluable adjunct of
the school itself. 1t takes part in the school
work, pupils visiting it in connection with
their studies. By the mere routine plan the
range of the pupils ideas is confined to what
the school-books communicate, or that the
teachers may throw out. These the pupils
regard as authoritative, and their essays and
reflections are bound within those limits,
and can be only a reproduction Of them in
other forms. When a teacher can direct his
pupils to go to the library, and read such and
such books on any subject under study,
their sphere OF ideas is enlarged by 60
doing and thought has room for independ-
ent exercise. The value of such an enlarge
ment of the sources Of study is obvious
TO all who have themselves studied.
Men and women in their various occupations
require the same wide range. The mind
works in a narrow groove that has only its
experience and observation as foundations
for thought. Books enable us to compare
our own conclusions with those of the most
able writers upon the subject that may, for
the time being, interest US. The merchant
desiring to know something about any COM
modify in which he deals or about the coun-
try it comes from; the citizen wanting infor-
nation about principles and facts involved
in the political topics of the day, the news
paper reader wishing TO learn something
about the country and the people where par
Iicular events are o~ccurring-all, like
the pupil at school, find the library
"A fountain from which they can
drink the fertilizing drsughts that will
enlarge their capacities, extend their useful
ness and afford them a qualification such as
no material pleasures can give, while the
moral nature is also purified and elevated,
for the search for knowledge is a seasch,f1-
ruth. There is one profession to whash Nd
library is of special value-thato of the fzw-
We have been much surprised TO notice that
while the mercantile class have been the
principal subscribers in an effort 10 obtain a
library in Memphis, and while the clergy
and the medical men of the city have pub
licly pronounced in favor of it, the bar has
shown no special interest in the undertaking.
Yet TO no set of men is a general range OF
knowledge of more value than to the law
yer. That he must have 3 good foundation
in the special studies involved in his peculiar
calling ''goes without s~aying;" but a lawyer
knowing nothing beyond his textbooks, his
authorities and his precedents, is in the situ-
alton of a man who has bricks and mortar
but no knowledge of architecture. He
wants a knowledge of history, science,
geography, and of the manners and customs of
various nations, and that general acquaint-
ance with literature that will enable him TO
know when a particular case requires a
knowledge of a particular class of facts,
where to find those facts, and what books on
those subjects are most to be relied upon for
accuracy. Armed with his authorities, and
those authorities argued with the profundity
and the breadth of a wider knowledge than
that impaired by the law book, the jurist
gains the respectful attention of the court
and carries conviction TO the minds of the
jury. There is no class of men in Memphis
that should be as prominent as the legal
fraternity in securing for the city the library
30 munifcently offered by Mr.. Nash. We
appeal to the bar OF Memphis to add It's aid
and influence, and with what it can do,
added to what has been done, the library this
city 30 sorely needs can be had.