New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-10-17
ADVICE TO YOUNG JOURNALISTS.
MR. DANA GIVES SOME VALUABLE SUGGESTION
AND ADVISES THEN TO READ THE BIBLE.
SHAKESPEARE AND MILTON.

| From Charles a. Dana's lecture journalism, at
Union Colegc)
| After knowledge Of the English language comes. Of
course regular order the practice the cultivation OF
the ability 10 use IT, development OF that which In
Its latest call style. and which distinguishes one
writer from another. This style IL something OF such
eVanescent intangible nature that Is difficult tell in
what it consists suppose 1t Is In the combination OF
Imagination aud humor with the entire command OF the
language all applied together in the
construction Of suppose that is what makes
style 1t is precious gift but it is not gift that
always be acquired by practice or by study.
IL may be added certainly In its highest perfection
it acquired by practice do not believe.
Instance that everybody who should endca.0r TO
quire such q style the latn Dr. Claiming possessed
conld succeed III doing 20. lie was famous writer
nifty years ago In BOSTON, and his style is OF tn.
beautiful and remarkable character As u specimen OF
IT, let his essay NAPOLEON Bonapartc
That was perhaps very best OF the critical analyses
OF Mi that succeeded TO the period OF Napoleon
| Worship which had run all the world Channlne's
style sweet, pure and delightful. without having
thoso surprises extraordinary fctics that mark
the style oil writers. 1t perfectly simple trans
lucent throughout. without effort. leaving you
any doubt To the idea and you closed the book with
the feeling that you had fallen in with the most >ympa-
| tnec MIND whose instructions you might sometimes
accept or sometimes reject Tut whom could not
gard without entire respect and admiration.
Another example OF very beautiful and admirable
style which is we'll worth study Is that OF Nathaniel
Hawthorne. In his Writings are charmed with the
new sense and meaning that he TO give TO fan.
jar words 1t Is like reading new language to takc
chspter OF Hawthorne; yet II is perfectly lovely, be-
cause with all Its suggcstiyeness IL IL perfectly clear.
and when you have done with It you wish could do 1t
| yourself.
No young man goes into any profession without a good
degree ambition young his ambition
very jouInasn--I mean, In general. universal
Journalism not in special man carry his ambition
far who docs know politics, and In order to
know politics there must he in the mau some natural dis
u,siffo fnr .olft I
friends who said: Cant you take this young man and
give him employment Then l Will watch that young
a month and what IL Il that he takes up
In morning II nc takes the newspaper and turns
political part Of tho paper and Is Interested in that
why that is good symptom Of his Intellectual tendencies
but H. INSTEAD Ct that he takes up magazine and sits
down read love story, why cannot make news
| paper man out Of him. daughter and applause)
vet he may very good writer OF love stories
that is Of merchandise which seems 10 be
always IN demand and 10 bring pretty fair prices. Why
vou a talent In that direction, ahead. You may
make q good living. have doubt; but You will not
play part upon the stage OF public affairs,
and that the sphere Of activity which the generous
hearted and courageous youth looks forward to.
Now Mr. Greeley is my great cxemplar IN Journalism.
| He thought a newspaper was OF little use Tho did
act Just the number Of votes In every township In
The State Of NewYSrk and In voting precinct and
could tell whether the returns from the Second
District Of Pound Ridge In westchestcr County, were
correctly reported not without sending TO the place 10
and out how many had really That
Of his great points OF distinction and success; but
would advise 10 labor after that sort OF knowl
edge uuess you have inherited natural talent for IL.
Tho point 10 be attended 20 Is this What books
ought you TO rcaii There books that In
dispcn. sable. o few books. Almost all books have their
use tho silly and omn y0rous reader, 4. he
in.lgenty need feel that hs ,ms is wasted
when he bcstows IL Oh the nimsiest trash that Is
printed but there books that ore absolutely In.
| dispcnsabo to the Kind OF education that
supang and to tho profession that wc are considering
and OF all these the most Indispensable the most useful
the whose knowletge Ia most effective Is the Bible
There book from which valuable lessons be-
| learned / am considering II now not ~ religious
boo. but manual o. utility. OF professional prep
srson. and professional I'VE for journalist.
| There Is perhaps no book whose style Is
suggestive instructive fIom which you learn
directly that sublime simplicity which
asssrses. which rccours the greatest event with So
cnnry OF course. but without senamenay or anecta-
ton. none which YOU open with such confidence and
LAY such there IL book like
the Bible. applause When YOU get into con'ro.
very and want exactly the ri2ht when you are
looking for an expression, what IS there that Gloss
| dispute Ike u from the Bhlei What Is IL that
set. up right prin, pie you which uleads FOR
policy. for cause. much tho right passage OF
holy scriptUrsi (Appauscl
Then ., cry body who going practise the news
paper profession ought Shakespeare lie Is the
ch,si master Of English speech. lie Is tho head OF
Ln.Is literature Considered writoT considered a.
. poet considered philosopher / do not know
| another who %. named WIN MN lie II not H'rcy
constructor Of PLAYS that powerful and oppressive
when shown upon the stage. with oil the aux
nlario. Of lights and and ch1r1cters; he Is
hlrh literary treasure. mighty sorchouse Of wisdom.
great glory o. the literature OF our lanRuas"; anc'
II you don't him. knowing the language may nov
m Of much after all. Perhaps that Is an eNoss"ra'
ton and | 1t back; bnt Il Is an object TO Hho"
Shakespeare; II Is indispensable to journalist
Thrc is another English author who ought NOT 10 h'
ne ELECTED any young who means to succeed IN mis
pr,, sion mean John Milton. and invit" your a'tcn'
ton 10 that essay Of his too little known IN our
dav the speech for the Liberty Of Unlicensed Frh''
10, I, f. , treasury Of thu highest wisdom. 81 tho
mobiles, scntncn~ and OF the Greatest Instruction st"dv
that and you will the phi csoph' Of English
liberty and highest doctrine that has ever been Womu'
catrd 10 my knowledge. with r'ssL TO the heciom Of
the press