Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-10-25

SaVanns n ard tier Literary Societies
1 have been a resident OF This city during
he last six years. Upon my first arrival ]
took q stroll southwark, and despite my
preparation, having SO often listened to the
praises of the Forest City, 1 was neverthe-
less greatly surprised when / came in con-
tact, as it were, with so many orderly and
spacious squares, and finally with SO beauti-
full park, surrounded by some OF the finest
buildings in the city. Prominent among
these on the right, stood the edidce, which,
by preserving the precious library OF the
Georgia Historical Society, is designed, let us
hope, TO perpetuate the name OF Hodgson
as q public benefactor, side by side with
that of Forsyth, to whom we owe the
''sweet, secluded spot" adjoining. soon
learned the ends to which the build
ing was coDsecrated; the door stood
wide open, l assembled the spacious
stone steps, and entering its precincts
qualification: Wed with surprise to behold
library at once so large, so curious, and SO
we'll fitted up, where the artistic tastes, as
we'll as those of the scholar, were consulted
in the besutiful adOrDments which render
the grand hall attractive.
l was, however, still more pleased with
the munificent supply Of newspapers, maya
zines, reviews and other Periodicals.
most creditable array of which covered the
four long tables, and seemed the principal
attraction Of the visitors.
l may say that, considering the size aud
population of this place-the metropolis of
Georgia-the institution I am describing
will bear comparison, not indeed in mere
size or number of volumes, but in general
completeness and detailed perfection, with
any institution of the kind at the North or
elsewhere. These characteristics impressed
me with the idea that its votaries and sus-
tainers must possess intellectual culture.
artistic taste and a well developed moral
character. Then, again, two literary socie-
ties exist, composed OF member hip Of the
votaries of the two most antagonistical
creeds-one, the Youths Historical Society,
under the auspices of the Hebrew youth of
Savannah, and the other under the jurisdic-
zion OF the Catholic youth and young men
of the city-and although the institution |
am about to propose should be perfectly
cosmopolitan as regards creeds and national
tiles, yet let all such give some
heed to our proposition: | propose
that large, spacious and we'll
lighted apartment be secured, fitted up with
some regard to attractiveness and artistical
taste; and to begin with, be supplied with
uicS VI lu6 CHOlCoSb newspapers VI buc
country.
Imention newspapers as prime neces-
sitY since, in these days of electricity and
steam, the daily paper has become a medium
through which much important knowledge
is disseminated and knowledge Of such a
character as cannot be extracted from
books. After securing this object we may
introduce periodicals and even the great
quarterly reviews or the world.
propose that this room should be open
on every night Except Sunday; that once
a week there should be debate, and once
a week also a musical entertainment; while
every second week some one of the fire.
quenters OF the institution should deliver a
short essay upon some theme or subject
selected by himself or indicated by COM
mittee, which essay would form the subject
matter OF the next debate.
In conclusion, let me remark that through
out the whole domain of nature opposition
exists, and In the higher realms OF human
life the two great Rntagonistic principles of
good and evil have been at warfare with
each other since Lucifer, the great usurping
angel, fell from his exalted state. Who Is
there in this city that does not perceive in
its most palpable manifestation this eternal
conflict or warfare going on even In Savan-
nah? And what mind can conceive or pen
depict the number of youth aud young men
of this city that such an institution, IL estab-
lished and properly conducted, might rescue
from their present downward course Of life
that infallibly leads to their ruin, degrade
ton and premature death?
r. R. JACKAwAY