Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1888-11-22
LITERATURE FOR BOYS.


Get Him to Read Proper Books.
DIR. johnson, who said first and last
a good many clever and practical
things, observes in relation to what he
rather quantity calls getting boy
forward in his learning" that he
would first let the child read any book
which would hold his attention, be-
cause, he reasons, ''you have done
great deal when you have broughthim
TO have entertainment in a book; he'll
get better books afterward. The
principle is one which shares the dis
advantages of all general statements
of truth, since general truth is al
ways likely TO be false in particular
cases; but the idea which the philoso-
pher wished to express is undoubtedly
q sound one. There is obviously no
question that it is idle to expect any
particular advantage TO como to boy
through an especial book, while he
hates all books per Sc. He must first
be convinced that it is within the lin
its of possibility for a printed volume
really to please him, a fact by no means
patent TO the minds of many really in
telligent youngsters; and after that at
tention may be given to the sort OF
books he shall read.
There are manifestly two things to
be considered, to get the boy to read
and to get him to read proper books.
For the first of these desirable things
the receipt of DR.. johnson can not be
surpassed. 1t is recorded that
teacher in mission Sundayschool in
New York shocked his colleagues by
reading to his class of newsboys from
the Arabian Nights and on being
questioned explained that he had tried
a great many things, and this was the
first that had held their attention, and
that he was convinced that it was idle
to suppose he could do them any good
until their attention was secured. 1t
is said that the results in the end justi-
fed this somewhat startlingly unique
method of Sunday-school instruction,
and that once the teacher had per-
suaded the gamins to listen, he was
clever enough to lead them on to
moral and even to religious instruc-
ton. Whether every body could be
equally successful may be regarded as
at least an open question, but the Incl
dent serves excellently as an illustra-
ton in this connection. 1t is certainly
the first step which costs in the matter
of getting boys to re ad.
On early reading, however, largely
depends the boys taste in after life.
If he can be induced to take good
books at the start he is seldom likely
to have any dangerous leaning toward
poor ones thereafter. Whether it be
true or not that virtue wins followers
by its inherent qualities, it is certain
that knowledge of good literature
makes the taste of poor reading fiat,
stale and Improbable on the mental
palate. 1t is hardly too much to say
that any parent may cultivate liking
for good literature in his child if he is
only willing to take the trouble. 1t is
sometimes hard work, perhaps, but il
can certainly be done.
How to combine the two ends, that
of having the lad read whatever will
interest him, and having HIM read
what will beget in him taste for desir.
able books, is question which will
have to be answered differently In
each individual case. There is a
point where the two considerations
come together, but in every case the
personal equation comes in, and nc
general rule can be laid down to cover
all. In our day, however, tho field OF
juvenile literature is so we'll filled
that there is the widest latitute fol
choice, and this in itself goes far to-
ward simplifying the problem. Boston
Courier.