The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1883-11-28
HOME READING.
From Orr Iadv Corresnondant

HOME READING.
From Orr Lady Correspondent.
We lately decided that it Is most
desirable to study. or at least. tc
read as much as possible at home,
Few women will disagree with this
proposition, but and it very dif1icu,,
to select reading. Not that there ID
any scarcity of books and papers; on
the contrary, it is astonishing to
note the number, variety, beauty
and cheapness of the books which are
issued from the many publishing
houses and fill the shelves of our
book merchants. It is because of
this abundance that it is hard to
choose that which is most instructive
and entertaining and which will
contain the least that is worthless or
Injurious. In the minds of some
good people all fiction is clas-ed To-
gether as tr sh, and styled variously,
according to the prejudices of the
speaker. Such opinions show more
Zeal than knowledge. All cultivated
people in these days acknowledge
the power of fiction, and rejoice in
the production of q good novel.
James Freeman Clarke, one of the
Trustees of the Boston Public Liz
brary, says: "Let us understand,
once for all, that fiction meets an ex-
ternal taste in man. It is not merely
milk for babes, but meat for men. A
man who has no taste for fiction is
deficient in some faculty. Reading
fiction is not an evil to be abated,
but tendency to be educated, puri-
h.d and guided. People should be
taught to read, not passively, but ac-
lively, to think about what they read
and talk Of it,"
These expressions, from the pen of
an eminent minister of the gospel
with the highest culture, show the
tendency of the age. Fiction has been
used from the earliest times to teach
useful Lessons. Learned sages and
philosophers ages before the Christian
era taught ty fables. Christ himself
told pa,ables which made plain his
meaning, and who has not been ele-
waited, refined, and made better by
readings q novel which treat. of peo-
pie who have overcome temptations,
who utter truths and live genuine.
notle live>9 Years ago there was not
much fiction which could be called
elrvating and inspiring, md the
prejudice tO that class of writings
was formed by a knowledge of really
o j-cti"nable boo-ss. There are now
large numbers Of b,oks ri fiction t.,
which no liberal, intelligent mind
could make objection. hut which
would be heartily recommended as
highly Instructive. OF course there
are innumerahle publications. of
worthless trash and many of a really
injurious character, but we must
learn to discriminate.
Noah Porter, whose psychological
writings are studied by the majority
of students Of mental science, says:
"It is not a trivial advantage of the
novel reading Of our day .at it sug-
gests elevated q I'd qui';kening topics
for conversation"
This advantage Is not a trivial one
when We reflect that conversation
too readily degenerates into gossiping
personalities er unmeaning twaddle
about the weather. For young per- |
soma, especially. it is Of no little ser
vice to have topics at hand that are
fruitful Of thought, that awaken q
warm interest and call out positive
opinion. The last new novel is sim
ulating In all these directions. It
stimulates to an analysis of its char
acters and the criticism of its plot,
etc.
These opinions and the reasons by
which they are DEFENDED invariably !
turn upon the observations Of real
life, etc., and in this way stimulate
to activity of thought and independ-
ence of judgment.
Novel reading is q powerfully e3u-
eating influence in whatever aspect
1t is regarded, and though it may Of
ten educate to evil, It's power to slim
ulate from barrenness and frivOlity |
should not be overlooked"
This last refers to indlscriminate
reading, which is not desirable for
anybody, especially for young peo-
pie.
Any one desiring guidance in
course OF light reading, and also to
be come acquainted with the thoughts
of great men on the subject, snould
possess copy of the Reading Di-
ary," a neat lit lie volume. I have
forgotten its price, but it's list
Of 1000 books of fiction and
the helpful thoughts and suggestions
1t contains make 1t very valuable.
The same firm publishes q little
monthly which enables ona to keep
up with the new publications. for the
notes are so brief and pointed that
the busiest housekeeper who cares to
do so can keep informed. This Is
the Literary Netvs.
Nearly every one has some pre-
dominant taste. and reading bearing
on that subject Is especially attrac-
tive; 1t is also enducating or develop
ing the one gift or talent. !
To those who love music would
recommend the reading OF thu