, 1884-11-15

and that the benefit to be derived is incalcu-
liable. 1t is a want that has been, and is
yet, much felt with us in West End 1t
reflects sadly upon uS-tO our shame-aS q
community, and must lead many, particu-
larly strangers, to infer that we are not
over DESTROYS Of forming a closer acquaint-
anceship with literature than we now pos
Sess. Trashy novels, and a few poetic
illusions, of the milk-and-water sort, from
which we are able to guSh ''solt nonsense,
unfortunately being the standard, more or
less, of our reading. We should be glad if
some influential members of our community
would be like-minded rs your good friends
and take an interest in having a similar
institution established here. which [ have
no doubt could be effected if some energy
were shewn in the matter.
When we consider the great number of
us who are not i'll the position to buy use
full books, so as to be able to keep up with
the times, our reading must necessarily be
very limited. If some are very persever.
ing in their literary pursuits, however,
having the desire to improve their mental
condition, and can only do so by borrow
ing, they often put their friends to the
painful necessity OF having recourse to the
use of the detestable weapon, the handy
W ullC iICs WlICI dlItI dI HAY DC CACllSb-
bic, as they have no doubt often expert
enced the truth of the remark Though
many persons are poor arithmetiCianS they
are nevertheless good book Keepers"
Now | assert positively, that it has not
been for lack Of means, or willingness to
contribute, but it is owing to the inditfer-
ence which has been sIlewn by those who
could, and should, have interested them
selves in establishing a society or institu-
ton which would have tended to improve
their less fortunate brethren. II, as l have
already observed, some influential gentle
men-and surely we have ~such-would
take the matter in hand, l firmly believe it
would soon be IN fat Gcc0mplj.
| will quote a few instances to prove our
willingness to contribute.
Encouraged by the indOmitable perse.
verance which we saw the members of the
Amateur Brass Band evince in trying to
SurmOunt the difficulties with which they
had to contend in performing upon ante
diluvian Instruments, we gladly contribute
ed to procure them a new and improved
set, and often since has the Band CRATE
fully delighted us with its heavenly strains
from the immortal compositions of Bee
thOven, Mozart and others, and our souls
have been lifted from this grosser sphere
to soar in rapturOuS delight in realms
ethereal, and we have been made to feel
kindlier toward our brethren. But, alas
this Institution is dead and as l shed a
tear at its demise, | will yet inScribe with
loving hands upon its tomb "Resurgam",
which let us hope Will be realized.
We have had our Regatta, and its adj
vent was announced through the news
papers i'll large type, bills were posted
In both towns, the enjoyment was partici-
pated in by thousands.
1t appeared like a comet, and like some
of those heavenly visitors, it was grand and
glorious, and then disappeared-perhaps
for ever.
We contributed to esta blish a Club,
which Showed vigorous signs of life for a
time, but eventually it collapsed true it
is that like the bird Of mythology we have
seen it rise from its ashes, but unlike it, [
am afraid, it will not be immortal. We
have our annua Races, upOn which hun
dreds of dollars are expended, and we
look forward for months in anticipation to
the day upon which we expect to derive
so much enjoyment. Whether this institu-
ton will die i'll It's infancy or live to matur-
er years, time will Shew.
Let us wish it long life.
But where is our literary institution
Where is the place of resort where some
of our leisure hours may be spent in ac-
quiring instructive knowledge, or in agree
able conversation which will tend to ele-
vate the ~mind-whOse attractions may
wean us from the dens of iniquity which
we now frequent? Alas! echo nswers
Where? Such all institution is decidedly
of as much Importance as a Savings Bank.
IF nnIu N cooou Vortion 0f Abo