Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1888-11-29
LITERATURE For noxs.

aev 70 Get . Lea - Read l.A How -
Get Him to 6sad Proper Books.
DR.. johnson, who said first and last
good many clever and practical
things. observes in relation to what he
rather quantity calls getting a 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 q
great deal when you have broughthim
to have entertainment in a book; he'll
get better books afterward." Tho
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; bat the idea which the philoso-
pher wished to express is undoubtedly
sound one. There is obviously no
question that it is idle to expect any
particular advantage to come to boy
through an especial book. while he
hates all books per Sc He must first
be convinced that it is within the linz
its of possibility for printed volume
really to please him. a fact by no means
patent to the minds of many really in
Nlligent youngsters; and after that at
sention may be given to the sort OF
books he shall read.
There are manifestly two things to
be considered, te get the boy to read
and to get hin to read proper books.
For the first of these desirable things
the receipt of Or. Johnson can not be
surpassed. Il is recorded that a
teacher in mission Sunday school in
New York shocked his colleagues by
reading to his class of Rewsboys 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 YVES convinced that il was idle
to suppose he could do them any good
until tneir attention was secured. 1t
is said that the results in the end justi-
fed this somewhat startlingiy 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 oven to religious instruc-
ton. Whether every body could be
equally successful may be regarded as
at beast an open question, but the Incl
dent serves excellently as an illustra-
tion in this connection. It is certainly
the first step which costs in the matter
" 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 il DO
t,S its inherent qualities. it is certain
tasat.a knowledge OF coed literature
makes the taste of poor reading Fat,
sale and unprofitable ON the mental
palate. 1t is hardly TOO much to say
that any parent may cultivate a liking
Ter good literature in his child if he is
emily willing to take the trouble. 1t is
sometimes hard work, perhaps, but it
-cen 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.
MDle books, is a question which will !
have to be answered differently IN |
each individual case. There is a |
point where the two considerations |
ceme together. but in every case the
personal equation comes in. and no
general rule can be laid down to cOrer
all In our day. however, the field of
Juvenile literature is so well flied
this. there is the Widest latitute for
choice. and this in itself goes far to-
ward simplifying the problem. Boston
Courier.