Semi=weekly graphic., 1896-12-23


 him to read, and to show him how to acquire the knowledge which his instructors have acquired.
 A more important question arises in the character of the books which the boy reads, for his later intellectual, aesthetic and ethical life depends, to a degree, upon what he reads while still boy. "As we associate, so we are. It is far bet ter that he never open a book, and be Q true, good man, than to live a brilliant life, morally corrupted by reading vicious literature The boys character is being formed and some one must guard his asso- citation with books even more care fully than his association with his daily companions. As evil com panions corrupt good manners, so do vile books poison and ultimately destroy the noble thoughts, the lofty ideals and the very soh of those who read them. Much more is contact with such books to be dreaded than association with evil men. Their manner is much more cultivated and enticing, while in them the blighting deeds of crime and shame that follow immoral lives are not displayed Only the fasei- hating side is shown, the revolting is hidden.
 On the other hand who can esti- mate the value which a boy receives from reading one good book. At this time the mind being most susceptible, ideas strike and cling tenaaiously, and gradually take their places in the character strue- ture. Who does not remember the morning, even the very spot and hour, when he read the story of some brave hero, the noble deed Of a great man, or, a beautiful poem of nature or love? The remembrance of the emotion that then thrilled the young heart will always be a pleasure and can never be forgot ten.
 But, what kind of books should the boys read? This is question hard to answer Boys often read far in advance of their tastes be- cause they so seldom come in con tact with those who from personal knowledge of books can direct them in their reading.
 Emerson gives Us three rules for selecting books to read: "1-Never read any book that is not year old. 2-Neyer read anything but famed books. 3-Never read any thing but what you like. If such advice is given to those of mature minds, can we not unhesitatingly say to the boys: read only those books which have beeone truly classic.
 Of course the boy must read fc- tion, but not too much of it, and it must be chosen most carefully. Nothing that has the characteristics of the poisoning dime novel, nor that partakes of the nature of those sickly sentimental, and scrofulous novels that make fabby and weak the minds and characters of so many of our young ladies, should be tolerated. But near him always should be stories ot noble adven- ventures, deeds of heroes, and those novels in which are portrayed sim plieity and nobleness of life, hon. esty, courage, fidelity, self-sacrfee, devoted to duty and purity.
 Usually these are and should be historical. Then in addition tc the valuable lessons of living he gets in q mos practical fern many instructive lessons in history
 History also, and books of travel the boys should read, if he wishes to be intelligent. Nor should poetry be neglected in his course, that kind of poetry which kindles the imagination and inspires a longing for the beautiful, the good and the right.
 Last and most important be must read biography. How many a boy owes his success in life to inspira- tions gained from reading Pu- tarch's lives, Franklin's Autoblog- raphy and similar books. He must know what men have done to make themselves great, and how they con- ducted and developed themselves when boys. Gan anything be more ennobling for boy than 10 be con stantly thinking of the geeat man whom he has chosen as the obIect of his hero worship. The boys cannot too well learn this lesson: Lives of great men all remind us