The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-11-29
III. READING COURSES AND A
GIRLS LIBRARY.
The Reading Of Poetry.
p JOHN MILLAR. ". 4

Whatever may be the tastes or talents
or young women for literature. they can
not overlook poetry. Sooner or later they
should hope 70 know OF Shakespeare. NIL
ton and Goethe. The great poets rank
next % the Bible. To be ignorant OF
Cowper and Burns. Whittier and Long
fellow, Scott and Tennyson. Is 20 have
the mind dwarfed. Browning and Words
worth will tax the powers OF mature
years. but poetry should not be rejected
because OF its depth or obscurity. Poetry
should be especially read 10 give a proper
attitude OF mind. a habit OF thinking OF
noble things, OF keeping the spirit In har-
mony with beauty. goodness. strength and
love. A poem Ike TeuuysOns In Me-
moriam" IS worth more than a dozen
popular novels or all kinds OF literature
poetry IS the most stimulating and REIN
ing. The poet is the best representative
OF the spirit OF his age. To read what he
creates is 70 recreate in ones own mind
the images and pictures which he first
conceived and then expressed in verse
II a girl has no desire 70 read poetry
there IS some defect in her training. Chill
dreu love poetry. To ignore poetry Is 70
slight those productions which Shelley
calls the best and happiest thoughts OF
the best and happiest minds" The main
purpose OF poetry is 10 give pleasure, and
pleasure OF a kind. IL the choice Is well
made. that Will elevate and ennoble.
Mere and more" says Matthew Arnold.
mankind will discover that We have 70
turn 10 poetry 70 interpret life FOR Us, TO
console US. 20 sustain us
Variety in Reading.
II general reading is desirable FOR men.
It IS also desirable. II only in a less de-
gree. FOR women. Fiction and poetry
D.
cause they necessarily and properly will
receive much attention from most girls.
II IL a pity that young women 50 often
lack general information L does not rem
der woman less attractive II she has an
intelligent comprehension OF the many
public matters discussed in the newspa-
pers. She does not necessary become an
advocate OF female suffrage by under
standing political questions. The social
and economic problems Of our times az
.eCt the welfare Of both men and women.
A girl should include biography and his
tory in her reading courses. The former
is especially valuable for young persons.
To know the lives OF distinguished people
is 20 know. 20 great extent. all the
The study OF biography furnishes Us with
valuable ideals for lies duties and II
cures Us Of affectatiOn. Il supplies Us
with the accumulated wisdom Of the past
and Increases our regard for the divine
attributes which have been implanted IN
the human heart. A girl Is filled with a
new inspiration when she reads the lie
OF a good woman. Biography Il more val
liable than fiction because II holds UP pos
sible ideals History also. II properly stu
died gives a broader view 20 woman's
influence a a social factor. Il should not
be regarded as an account OF battles and
sieges. nor should IL suggest the memoir
izing OF dates or the enumeration OF what
is given in genealogical trees. Young per-
sons may readily understand and appre-
Ciate history II regard Is had 20 historic
landmarks. or II they are taught 20 see
how smaller events are connected with
larger ones. II the lima ginatiOn has been
properly trained there will be no danger
OF faucitul Impressions gaining an ad-
vantage. The power OF draw wing correct
conclusions will be cultivated and the
power OF realizing truth VIII be height
ened. II is unreas0ua bic 20 limit the
range OF a womans thoughts any more
than those OF a man 20 the daily routine
OF the average life. The efforts ueces-
sary 20 provide a living Will demand
much attention. but women no more than
men can live by bread alone.
ANY advice FOR girls regarding reading
courses would be defective that did rot
give prominence to periodical literature.
The home should be provided with news
papers and magazines. and preference
should be given 70 those clean On tone and
bright in character. A good daily news
paper may furnish the family with topics
OF valuable conversation. Idle gossip has
little chance where there are sensible sub