The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-12-15
OUR ITBRABy.
Literary correspondence

IN receive communications of value
bearing upon any topic which we may
have touched upon at length. or TO
which we may,bave melely referred in
cidentaliy.
Our readers may recall that some
time ago we expressed our views as 10
the character OF the books which should
be inserted in a private library. II
gives us much pleasure to devote our
usual space this week TO the following
letter addressed TO Us by highly
valued correspondent. which discusses
with great care and discrimination the
character Of the books that should be
selected for public libraries;
Editor Of Our Library.
To us in Richmond the subject: The
Selection Of Books for Public Libra
ries. does not seem TO be Of immediate
practical importance. no library being
vet among our privileges. and none
we fear. likely to be IN the near future.
But we cannot believe that our town
growing steadily in wealth and popu-
la,ion-will always be 30 destitute as
now OF this important aic to its highest
interests. We trust that some public
spifited citizen will, ere long. be
aroused to sense OF our literary
needs. and will. at least. begin
the foundation Of a library TINT may
gradually meet the public demand. 1t
IL. therefore. not uDtimsly 70 oher
few suggestions. if only on the mega
tive side, as to tho tone and quality u
the selection to be found therein, and
10 state clearly and positively what
class Of books should be vigorously ex
cluded from the shelves of the public
and private Libraries.
Sir Peter Teazle. more than century
ago. denounced circulating Libraries
az the most corrupting influence to
which young woman could be ex-
posed. Husbands aud fathers Of the
present day have quite as much reason
TO dread them as the men of Sheridan 5
day. Fiction. purified by Scott
and many of his successors, was for
several generations refining aud IN
struciIve, as well 10 most refreshnt
recreation. How is it nOwf Is II the
rule or the exception that new novel
can be read aloud in family circle :
Are many Of the current productions
fit for perusal at aily Yet are they
not read and discussed 10y men AID
women. young and old, with freedom
bordering on audacityy Can the heart
remain pure when the head is filled
with foul thoughts, indelicate illusions,
unseemly suggestions Can the saste
of the young be formed Alright when
fed on such garbage'
This blot should be wiped cut from
our boosted nineteenth century ciyillzl-
ton. Too long has 1t been our reproach.
Its pernicious effects are apparent every
where. Our young Writers have i'm
bibed the insidious passion and repro
duced it in books that should not even
be named among us None of Us eau
touch pitch without being deliIed, and
the worst Of it is. the poison is so sub
tie. the evil effects are SO gradual, that
we are unconscious Of its presence unit.
suddenly reused to sense OF our
shame by the "Ilhuriel Spear OF truth
and purity.
The parents Of a family should re-
quire each child TO be subjected to close
surveillance as 60 his or her choice OF
books; and parents should Themselves
be careful as to the example they set IN
that respect. Nothing Is more burtful
toparental influence ard authority than
inconsistency of conduct. To tell q
child not 60 read book aud then to in
dulge ~ oneself with the forbidden
fruit is as great a wrong 10 thai
child's moral nature as could b.
thoughtIessly inflicted. Aud there i
no remedy for this widespread evil.
this avalanche Of impure literature.
that threatens to bury all that is sweet
and sound and wholesome under lts
weight, but to reject and 90 spufn the
unclean thing; 10 exercise the foul
iiend by means as potent as was the sign
of the cross in the lsO-calledl dark ages
Put good literature in the place OF
the bad. it is surely quite as entertain
Ing aud It's attractions can be made SO
familiar 10 the forming taste Of the
young as to provide safe and sure an
tidOte against the baser kind. Every
fancy that Is innocent can b. gritiiicd
by the varied aud boundless wealth
stored in the works Of our Eng
llsh writers. Many. indeed most 81
them. are merely names 10 ogg
younger readers. Quotations used free
ly are only at secondhand, and
little or nothing is known o.
the sources from which they are
taken. The drama is tainted by the
same plague spot. There is scarcely q
play performed that any right-minded
and pure hearted woman can witness ~
hear without blush. Aud TO these
plays young girls are taken by young
men. and the parents make no protest.
and the morahst who would say word
in the interests OF deceucy would be-
scoffed at as & narow-minde1 'Old
fogy."
What shall the end be OF these things
if no check b. put upon this eveE-in-
creasing evil We "a no.. IN imali-
nation. realize the consequences.
We confess 10 painful sense Of in
ability 10 STEM this current. 10 is toe
powerful TO hear or heed the feeble
voice Of warning or entreaty put forth
now and then against its rush. yet q
great deal can be done by those who
select the books OF public and private
Libraries. II a rule be established that
no new books Of a doubtful or immoral
tendency be allowed. there Will b. lit
tie to fear from the works OF earlier
writers, whose effenses are not 50 much
against morality as against refinement
and dalntiness of phrase. Hold the high
er authorities Of our libraries response
bic for their contents and let each parent
be impressed with his accountability IN
this matter, and the evil would be i'm
mensely lessened aud gradually re-
moved. We trust that our readers will
lend their help in roofing out the bad
and establishing the good aud pure aud
wholesome books that so richly abound
in our noble English and American
literature. 81. Y.
south CarOiina's 1ndustries.
baltimore sun