St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1892-06-11
THl PLEASURES OF READING.


/. il quito . common mistake on the
part of young people to suppose that
the pleasures Of literature correspond
with the pleasures of reading. They
are SO busy absorbing stories and poetic
thoughts that they have m time for
reflection, recollection, or anything
more than eulogistic expressions OF
opinion. But the pleasures of literature
are among the most enduring and varied
that man il permitted to have. MY
mind TO me . kingdom is is said ia
have been written by Sir Walter Ra-
leigh when he was in Jail, with no hope
Of release. His mind was . kingdom
because it was stored with learning Of
all kinds, and because, also, he had .
clear conscience. He could live within
himself. Even the casual reader of to-
day who, in the multitude of literature
offered to him, can have no set line of
study, gains something more than inn
mediate enjoyment He becomes in
sensibly charged with facts and fancies
which, living in his memory, will be re-
vived in after years and renew the
pleasures they now afford. But the
pleasures Of literature are not confined
70 those derived directly from reading
Or from recollection. Literature stimu-
lates original thought and leads to an
other field of pleasure-thst of writing
TOR the instruction or enjoyment of
young people to map out line Of con-
duct for ultcrior enjoyments based on the
experience of their forefathers- They
must act in the living present and leave
the future, in large measure, to take
care Of itself But they should at least
recognize that literature has in store
for them many pleasures besides those
to be derived ut once from the reading
of interesting stories or graceful poems.
They should Be encouraged to form lit
erary societies, to seek associates who
enjoy intellectual recreation. and thus
to lay the foundations for after enjoy
ment of their early readings. Literary
societies, Ms = rule, are short lived.
The varied business and family and so
cial duties of members drift them apart
after = few years of regular association.
but such societies seldom altogether die
ont. They may not hold regular meet
ings OF keep . record of their proceed
ings. but the members, or some Of them,
get together on occasions and live over
again the old life. contrasting it with
the present There are disadvantages
arising from an extended literature of
IN ephemeral kind. A greater number
Of people become refined and educated
to . certain extent, but there is
less Of solid reading and reflection
evenoon the part of the few. Under
such conditions the association of litera-
r. minds is required to give purpose and
effect to reading. That we may not
scatter too much in reading and in the
eubjects Of thought. it is desirable that
kindred minds should come together and
thought and study upon
particular branches Of literature. This
might not be desirable II literature were
less plentiful, but there is little danger
IN these days that even . specialist will
become narrow-minded. Try though he
may to limit his thought to . single
held, the newspapers and magazines
will keep him informed about other sub
jects than the one to which he gives Sc
rious study. The young folks of to-day
have greater opportunities to store their
minds with information, refine their
tastes and lay mp for themselves pleas
ires that last as long rs life and reason.
They can do this in : measure by the
'eadin9 Of good books; they can do it
more effectively by adding thereto asso-
'iation with young people Of similar
astes and ambitions For the pleas
res of literature are not transient; they
niger In the memory and are revived
" every old association, as of well-loved |
,oolxs or well-lovcd Observation-Disclosures |
inn