Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-01-26

valuable books of science offering
themselves for investigation and stIdy.
History presents a broad field for
examination. The stories of the ma
tons and races scattered over the
earth. the beginnings of civilization,
the progress Of events in each from
age to age. the various causes that
have led to Improvement or disaster.
the rise or fall Of rulers, the fortunes
of war and the effects of victories or
defeats, the virtues or crimes of thos',
in power from time to time are never
failing sources of interest. The history
OF mankind is not only full Of instruc-
ton as to the past, but furnishes les
sons Tor the future.
Biography is history brought near
er home to the facts and springs of hu-
man life. We read in history of great
acts and events. In the biography of
those who figured in the history. we
learn the motives and characteristics
OF the actors in those events. We dis
cover how great statesmen, great gem
erals. great reformers and great think-
erS affected the society of their ag"
and country. ana sometimes the rest
these prominent men. their early train
ing and their environments. reveal the
causes that made them what they
We're.
OF the history of the United State
there is no excuse for being ignorant,
nor for ignorance of the history of
our mother country. The stories of
me several states of the Union are
worth reading. Those of Vermont and
Louisiana are especially interesting.
SO also are the stories of Washington
City. New York City and Boston.
The biographies Of Washington
Franklin Hamilton, Lafayette, Web
stcr, Clay. Sumner. Lincoln and Grant
Should attract every citizen The hfe
of Henry Ward Bcechor the great
preacher. Of Charles Loring Brace, the
distinguished philanthroplst. and the
lives of Dorothy l.. Dix. Catharin@
Booth ana Frances +. Willard. The
three foremost women Of the century
will well repay reading.
The department Of voyages ana tray
els furnishes useful information FROM
all parts of the world. The varying
manners and customs of different
countries are fruitful sources Of IN
terest. The people of India. China
and Japan. 50 different from us and
from each other are profitable stud =.
as Well as those of the nations Of Ia
rope. The scenery Of Switzerland.
Greece, Egypt Palestine and the sand
Wich Islands. which most of us viii
never see. We may learn by the de
Scription Of others. The curious anl
castles and cathedrals of the
old countries deserve our attention.
We have beautiful and picturesque
scenery in our own land. which many
of us cannot visit. but we may read of
them, such as Lake George. Saratoga,
Niagara Falls, Washington City the
Colorado Parks and Geysors the Yn-
semitic Valley, etc
OF Juvenile books and of the hes!
for the use and ent.-r,ailt-
ment Of our young friends, the library
has an ample supply.
1t is also Wei stored with the best
poetry Of both England and America.
beginning With Shakespeare and Mil
ton, the select poetry OF the English
classic age is found here in abundance.
OF the choice poetry of the present
century. We have Tennyson Words
worth. Browning. LongfelloW. Whit
tier. Holmes, Lowell Bryant. Mrs He
mans. Mrs. browning, Jean IngeloW.
etc. Poetry should have its share of
from young and old readers.
Its influence is inspiring. eleVating
and refining. No one can become aC
cUstumed even to occasional reading
of poetry without intellectual, moral
and spiritual profit Read poetry.
study it. copy it, commit it to mem
oIN and preserve choice selections in
a scrap-booh. Cultivate in every way
q taste for poetry. our lives have
their low needs and tendencies Poctir
tastes will aid in lifting them to a
higher plane of thought and expert
cnre.
Fiction is the favorite reading Of
many. 1t is found in the library IN
abundance. The late DR.. Richardson,
ono of our former librarians, had a rule
in his family to read fiction after more
SOLID reading as people eat desert after
4 meal Of substantial food. There az
those who make their whole meal nf
sweet cake and confectionery. But it
can scarcely he classed as Wholesome
diet. Scots historical romanCes por.
Tray the manners and customs of cOun- |
tries and times. Cooper's Leather
Stocking Tales describe the scenes Of
'arlN settlements. Dickens paints ana |
aricatures many English practices
and characters. nut Why did Dick |
MS never meet with a clergyman %,
person worth mentioning in |
lis books? Why has our own HoWells |
in all his captivating writings never
lescrh"d a really noble and superior |
woman?
Modern novels come in like a flood |
Everybody writes them. The great !
cndency of fiction is TO create fats"
views of life. Many are shallow, and |
many irrelisious. AS for those which |
larry vice and unchaStity almost 10
IN extreme they are wicked and pos
>Nous. a novel. to be worth reading !
should portray some one or more no.
Ne characters worthy of approval and |
The library has its limitations 1t
loes not teach. except indirectly. the
highest and most spiritual knowledge.
70 acquaint ourselves with God and be
It peace with Him is the supreme need