Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-01-19
Literary Notices.

Among the many gifted writers who have
e,dea,ed themselves TO thousands of young
Americans, none is more entertaining or has
q larger number of admirers than Harry Cas-
tIeman His characters are always real, MS
heroes always manly. and his teachings care
fully intertwined and impressed in the threads
of his narrative are always wholesome and sal
utary. With just enough of the exciting and
mysterious to procure for themselves place
in the Juvenile heart and an assurance OF
reading, they combine moral qualities which
can but prove elevating. We venture 10 say
that if parents would supply their boys with
books like these. they would never seek ID
the fiashy pages of the dime novel, that inter-
est and charm of excitement so dear to every
live boy-an interest which formerly never
appeared in the dry outrages upon childhood
which constituted the average Sunday school
library, and whose pages were covered with
drearv religious admonitions and biblical
tru,hs-true enough, and well enough in their
places. but sadly out of place in a book for
real live Young Americans who must 9rolr to
such conceptions of ethical truth, just as
much as to manhood and womauhood
teacher would scarcely think of start
ing a student of the PHILOSOPHERS with
the results Descare's meliiations or the pro
found conceptions of Kant. If such thi''g
were attempted the result wouid he dismal
failure Education is growth, where from
small beginnings The student works himself
10 the comprehension OF broader and deeper
conceptions II would be mamie stly ridicu-
lous TO begin college curriculum with the
students of the seI.ior wear. II would Re re-
versirg the natural processes OF mental
growth. How many book, however writ
ten e1urc. sly for chilirc.' have attempted TO
force upon the minds of their Nouhg rra lel'
ethical truths AS far be. ond their compre-
hension as the heavens are above the earth,
truths concerning whose absolute bearing
upon the religious worli, the learned doctor
Of the Seniuaries were even then debating
with lahorious earurstLess. There were
people no wondered why their ChikireL
would not read these good books. and wh,
they were always laid aside With periodic
promptness, and never known 10 be used e1-
cept a. presses for autumn leaves. The old
er people were not able to see why these
books were not read. The children were.
They were too dry. too stiff, and altogether
too good TO SAVIOR of the realities OF sinfui
earth. As teachers of youth they were fail
ure, and drove hosts of young people to the
dime novel as reaction from their tedious and
weari me pages.
| IL was TO the furnishing VI iieai ooohS ioi
children that large number of eminent writers
now turned their attention. The Youth
! Companion became power for good in the
| land, and number of series of interesting
books were placed upon the market which
! have done much to elevate young America
and put a stop to the reading OF cheap and
trashy literature OF all the writer's en-
gagged in this great work, none deserves a
higher place than Harry Castleman, His
| latest work Guy HARRIS THE RUNAWAY,
published by A. l.. Burt, New York is one
which cannot fail to be of interest to every
| live boy.