The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1893-10-13
Literature in School.

1t is gratifying to observe o growing ten
dency among our educators to advise and
encourage the study of English and Ameri-
can literature in the common schools. Here
tofore, while many have recognized its i'm
portance, and have taken great pains to cul-
tivate taste for good reading, yet II has
unfortunately been regarded by some rigidly
practical teachers as comparatively USE
less s,ndy, consuming valuable time which
might be employed to better purpose. 1t is
easy and natural for children Of we'll ia
formed parents to drift into the correct
channels in this respect. They are taught
from thedime they can read intelligently to
cultivate fonduess for such books as Scotts
Tales of Grsndfatber," "waverly novels"
etc.. while later on their educational ad-
vantages and the companonship and exam
pie of we'll real aud Intellectual people, rem
der them capable OF appreciating Dickens,
Thackeray, Bulwer, and the treasures of the
iniuitable Bard Of Avon. AS before stated,
however, it is not with these that the diff
Guilty lies. 1t is in reaching that class who
obtain their literary information simply and
so'ely from the school which they attend
and who are otherwise almost entirely de.
pendent upon their own judgment and gui-
dance in the matter of literary food. 1t is
easy 10 see that the few miscellaneous books
which sometimes constitute the. home library
(often sclected.on account Of their guy and
g'lded biniing, without reference to con-
tents flor with some, as Byron aptiy observes,
GA books book, although there's nothing
in it') are not calculated to assist iu estab-
fishing taste for heslthful and instructive
reading. 1t has been said that newspapers
are great educ,t,rs. So they are, bu, there
are newspapers and newspapers" or in
other words some are good aud some are bad
AMI inexperienced young people are not
always capable Of discriminating. Indeed,
we cannot be too careful regarding the
books to which children have access. Imayi-
native young people are generally fond of
thrilling stories Of adventure, and, without
proper guidance, are in danger Of acquiring
the habit of reading trash. 1t is painful to
see young person roaming at random among
the literature with which the country is
flooded, knowing no appreciable difference
between authors. except that some write
thrillingly while others seem dull and dis.
posed 10 moralize. If disposed TO be fond
of books, n taste either for the good or
trashy ones will soon be framed. How is
this TO be avoided? In what manner can
taste for good literature be ips,iled into
70 answer. Of course there is moIe tbooin; 80 an.
way In which it can be taught; but what is
the pest way? 1t is apparent that the mere
study Ola text book on English and Ameri.
can literature, even when accompanied bv
occasional suggestions as TO course of r.oJ,
ing' cannot accomplish all that could be de-.
sirea In tbs respect. 1t is necessary in
some instances to overcome home influence
or rather the absence of home influences ~
thls regard. The child should be 40 corsf,1,r
taught and guarded as to be capsble--evon
when very young--of approaching to soms
extent the vast difference between good md
trashy books. think that every school
should have good library from which each
pupil ut proper times, under the advice 1uod and
guidance Of the teacher, could select booLs
10 DC carried home and read during leisure
hours. .eisure