The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1894-05-10
The Book World.


What a delightful entertainment
does a good book afford. When
wearicd with over work or mentally
tired, making even conversation a
bore, how restfcl and soothing to
ones spirits, is a light, humorous,
original book. Unlike the oldcn
time, when one, or at most, two solid
books were produced in a season.
books ranking as highly proper and
of the othordox type required for adj
mission into respectable households;
and wl!en "books for the young held
very small space in publishers an
nounccments, and even then only
such as were very childish in senti-
mcnt and stylc-such as"Gcody Two
Shoes" cold Mother Hubbard"
"Jack and the Bean Stalk and
such like, we now have, month by
mouth, announcements OF numerous
tirst-cas works in all departments
OF literature, science and art, suitable
to all tastes, and to all circumstances;
and in no5 branchssof the booll-world
is the extension and Improvement
more seen than in books for the
Young The present rising gener-
alton enjoys immense advantages for
the easy acquisition of knowledge
denied to those of a past youth, and
it cannot, with truth, be any longer
said that for them there is no royal
road to knowledge.
\ noticeable feature Of the current
literature Of the present day Is the
fact that the ladies' are among its
chief conttibutors-not merely in the
production of entertaining novels, but
as authors of scientific works, of some
Of the best hooks descriptive of nat
ural history, and Of first class works
in other branches, showing, on the
part Of the writer's, deep research,
accurate scholarship, technical train
ing, aud profound acquaintance with
human nature. TO the ladies are
due rs best thanks of young and old
for vc.y much Of the healthy, exalted,
artistic, solid and instructive mental
food provided so literally f"r their
,lctectation and benefit.
As distinct from thc newspaper
we,-.d the press, as generally consul
e.c.l, the Beck world is. al the rrcs
ent day, essentially al important fac
tor in social lie. The newspaper,
especially to men OF business, is felt
to be a necessity in these timeS, giving
AS i, does anime OF Information III
small compass Gu all to pieces APP
pertaining 10 the hurry -scurry of the
existing daily rush of life. But
to the Book, more than to anything
else. DO individuals in all circum-
stances, turn for solaca, instruction,
entertainment and real, lasting, en-
ioyment, How few recollect, or care
TO lecollect, from one day to another,
what the newspaper has placed before
them. At most, choice pieces, OF
snch as possess, humor or striking
originality, are clipped ont and past
ed away for future reference, "when
wanted = Butnot SO are books dealt
Swish. Those VIC haze read in cur
youth are remembered, FavoriteI
authors arc quoted, referred to, re-
pesusea, aud enjoyed. with fresh
gasto, time after time, afiorling, on
ali occasions, delight or apt direct
ness 10 our minds. It has been the
exrptiencc Of thousands that a good
book is The best companion.
Amongst tho Leading hooks pub
lished during The last few weeks mayl
be mentioned "Macellas by Mrs.
Humphrey Waal. tie talented an.
thofoss q Robert islssiicrc,' .I'l,e9
History Of David ifrirye. dc. aalar-F
celia Is said, By eminent critics to !
treat, 9itll klowleagc, sympathy, and !.