Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1894-02-08

when they are but fast. and fnd their ideals
in the "OutlAw Queen" the heroine of the
last cheap novel.
The custom of throwing sensational lit
erature into houses by agents employed t,
advertise 1t, and the practice by merchants
of using such paper to wrap their goods
In. are productive of much evil. by intro
ducing 1t TO people who might otherwise
have never seen 1t. and some measures
should be taken TO prevent it.
have thus far referred to literature OF
the lowest character, such as would in
terest only those of liftle education ar
cultivation. The literature that has mrri,
sufficient to attract persons OF average 10.
telligence aud cultivation are such novels
as those written by The Duchess, !"
'Ouida. ""Zola. and many modern French
novels that are perverting the taste,
stimulating the Imagination 10 unhealthy
action. cultivating false ideas OF life.
aud its responsibilities. Many read such
novels who would not coudescend 20 read
literature OF hsser sort. A. highly season
ed aud rich food destroys the appetite for
plsin and more wholes1 1ne food 50 habit
usI reading OF such novels destroys al
love or interest In more substantial read
ing.
MOI j. ii necess iry To read such writings
for amusement or recreation; the writings
of Charles Dickens afford amusemeat aud
instruction; his "Tae of two Citie>."
while having historical value by giving
such an interesting accouut Of the French
Revolution. a. 10 dx it forever Ia the mlnd
OF the reader, Is a. thrilling as any OF the
light literature. "Dayid Copperfeld" viii
furnish love story without the senii-
mental and nsuseating trash that ID cheap
literature is inseparah!e with affairs OF the
heart "Nichola. Nickleby, while aiming
to correct the great wrongs Inflicted upon
The poor classes In England. would interest
the philanthropist ana suggest remedies for
wrongs Inflicted upon thp dvfcucel,ss IN
our large cities.
Ben liur, by Gen. Lew Wallace, i In
teresting aud thrilling, an ;h1se Who ,n.
joy a vivid picture OF eastern life Ii the
tirst century would derive great pleasure
A. well as profit from this book.
The writings of Louisa NJ. Alcott, Eliza
beth Stuart Phelps Waii, Sarah One
Jeweti, aud many Others / could name,
would not fail 10 interest the most siold,
and would never inspire aa impure thought
or prompt cruel deed
Il would b. better lor humanity II all
trashy novels could BIZ destroyed, even II
msJority Of our people we're obiget to
70 without literature; far better 10 remain
In solitude Than seek your company among
the vicious better never open book than
one that Introduces you 70 scenes from
which YOU would shrink. or 10 companiou.
whose society you would not seek
Another dreadful cy!I Of the lay j, The
display d indecent pictures I'd our book
stores, ne~,--tsud-, d.pots sud SALOONS,
or concealed 10 packages Of cigars and
cigarettes. These are rlpples taat result
In great waves whose Tesi-tle-s undertuw
oyerwheim al who come under their
power. Low literature and obscene pie
lures are the parents OF RIGHTEOUSNESS,
gambling and h!tempers zee, aud all that
lead 10 deba>c life To nlulge the sp
petite in eating rich sas, highly seasoned
food Is no more destructive ID physical
yigor and leiith than j. reading trashy
novels aud viewing obscene pictures des-
trurliye to mental vigor and spiritual
growth. and those who have cultivated a
taste for such things will find they have
lost their power Of concentration aud their
ability 10 grasp great truths.
II there i department. Of legislation
where raiicall-m j. demanded ii i ID the
movement % blot out vile books aud
pictures and whatever 1, iesignrd ID cor
ruPt the young. II a scoundrei should ap
prpsch your child and deliberately u,e
language mcut 10 suggest impure thoughts,
your impulse would Be u take the wretch
by the collar aud throw him into the gut
ter
What shall be said Of an enterprise In
yoivlng large Outlay, whose SUE aim Is
to eater % dtprased morals!
Thoughtful people are beginning 70
realize It is time 10 strike wherever a
loathsomr book may be found or an ob-
scene picture exhibited