Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1886-10-14
For the Ellsworth American.
Newspaper Reading.

Americans are pre-eminen,ly newspaper
reading people and an intelligent man who
reads them carefully is very often hard
antagonist in an argument, though bis
knowledge of books may be small
The thousands of periodicals that circulate
dali, to the remoles, parts Of our country
have much to do with shaping public thought
and opinion. Especially is this true in the
United States when We consider the compar-
aivcly few of those who canno, read Doubt
less many Of our citizens can remember the
time when they considered themselves fortu-
nate in the possession of one paper week,
which was eagerly borrowed and read, re-
turning to its owner well worn with frequent
handling. How many papers might now be
returned TO the office after weeks absence
they had ever been abroad? A great many
people like 10 tell how many papers the
weekly mails bring them. but few ever
state how thoroughly they are read.
The tendency of the time is to take great
many and make up in number what is lost
in careless perusa. The rush and anxieties
incident TO business in some measure account
for this superficial reading, bu, the main
cause lies in the multitude Of newspapers
so easily obtained on every hand. 1t is not
to be deplored that we have so many papers
but tia, We read so carelesslv 1t is pretty
mean paper whose contents can he absorbed
in five minutes, vet have seen one crowded
with interesting matter thrown down in half
that time in disgust. What is the matter !?
Nothing in it. This is the meanest paper |
ever saw, grows worse and worse The fact
is, my friend, You are surfeited. You are
weary with abundance.
IL is this same reason that makes US con
in ually call for something TO read while the
shelves and tables at home are filed with
books and magazines, whose contents are
perhaps not half known. \ common error
is TO eagerly devour the news under big
headings, by Telegraph" Special Cores
pondence," Horrible Tragedy etc, then lay
the journal at hand aside, finished. This IS
all well enough, but away in corner Of the
paper may be shcrt sketch on some cur
rent topic, Of vastly more Importance than
all the cable news put together. Much Of
tie mos, interesting matter appears without
any title whatever and must be searched for,
while i no; nfrequeuily happens that under
the most high sounding title, and the
heaviest type You get very little ior your
pains. We frequently hear man say tc
he has not had time TO read his las, week +,
papers; takes several. bu, don't find op-
portuni,y 10 ENJOY them. Now IN this
era Of fast trans and ,elegraph~, last
weeks paper is ancient history Perhaps y
would Be better 70 suspend all hut the best
one and Try and steal time to look it over
There is much satisfaction in the prrusGa
Of good paper. Something may be
CLEANED from nearly every branch Of science
as well as all c;.rrent topics Il is worth
while when any great event happen, To read
several different accounts Of IL. As We do
not all see things in The same light, il
naturally follows that all the salient points
viii be brought OFT and thus judgment !, less
liable 10 error. The case OF Gould, the de-
faultrr. has somewhat shaken the public
faith IN mans integrity. | would go 10 the
secular press rather than any religious print
for righteous verdict in any such case. IL
is not a sufficient voucher for the truth Of
any statement that il is found in the columns
OF YOUR paper. Here. as in ordinary con-
versatIun. considerable must be allowed for
leeway This is as much the fault Of cor
respondents as editors, and may not arise
from any intention 10 deceive. /, is din
cult 10 estimate the good that i. being done
BY the press and il is hardly fair 70 look
for too grea, degree Of excellence. Il IL
hardly possible for diligent reader to be
ignorant Of what IS taking place to-day in
the world, but it IS better to read a little,
well. than to roam careie.sly over great
deal. By all means read much, II YOU have
time. and strength of eyes. but see TO il that
yonr selections are well chosen and we'll
stored to the credi, of your mind in after
DAYS. b. W. 5.