The age-herald., 1902-03-09
Experience of Literary Club in Four Years Novel Reading. ...
BY PAUL PRY

Recognizing the value of training in the reading of fiction, Sidney Lanier, that prince among scholars and writer's, de- livered a course of lectures to the stu- dents of Johns Hopkins University dur ing the winter of 1881 under the title or From Aeschylus to George Eliot, the Development of Personality The sub ject matter was subsequently, published under the briefer title of The English Novel;" His own name, however, better conveys the authors purpose since the novel was preferred for study above other literary forms merely as the fullest exponent of mans growth In the sense of personality. MT. Lanier writes: T call your attention to what seems to me a very remarkable and suggestive fact. to-wit: that physical science, music and the novel, all take their use at the same time: of course, I mean what we mod erns call science, music and the novel. For example, If we selection the sake of well-known representative name-Sir Isaac Newton Q642) John Sebastien Bach Q6S5) and Samuel Richardson 06S9), the first standing for the rise of modern science, the second for the rise of mod ern music, the third for the rise of the modern novel, and observe that these three men are born within fifty years of each other, we cannot fail to find our. selves in the midst of a thousand sur prisng suggestions and inferences." Con- tinuing Mfr Lanier says that as people, the novel is educating us, and that we cannot take any final or secure solace in the discipline and system of our schools and universities until we have learned to regulate this fascinating uni versal teacher which has taken such hold upon all minds from the gravest scholar down to the bootblack shivering the windy street corner over his dime novel,
 In these latter days novels are given serious attention in many universities and preparatory schools in the teaching of English; and with a thoroughness that will result most certainly Tn d well trained and discriminating mind. For the stu dent reads and re-reads the novels of the great masters and through them gains a broad survey of life. For in training the young mind Is taught to study the char acters presented. to study descriptions and to learn above all else to observe Thus will they get from fiction and from life all that it has to offer and secure for themselves pleasure in little things But, unfortunately. those of larger growth may not take advantage of the judicious teaching of the present times, and so the successful experiment of the "Classi- cal Novel-Reading Circle has its encour- ments and valuable suggestions. The first novel chosen was Martin Chuz- zleivit," and the outline of work upon it which was suggested by a literary au- thority, gives an idea of the thorough ness and suggestiveness of the work Points to be noted Suggested by Prof. R. c. .Moulton)
 "1.Four different types of selflshness- Old Martin, Young Martin Antony and Pecksnff.
 '2. Four different types of unselfsh- ness-Mary. Mark Tapley, Old Chuffey and Tom Pinch.
 "Debate-That the two swindles In the story (Scadders land office and the Eng fish Insurance Company are inconceiv- able.
 'Essays-1. Is Mark Tapley's character overdrawn? 2. Changes in the character of the book from selfshness to unselfsh- ness.
 It Is easy to see that if novels are read in this manner with the critical and ob- serving faculties on the alert and under the direction of a competent literary leader that they will. indeed, become the most profitable reading. And as Professor Moulton says: When education begins to give proper prominence to the experi- mental exposition of life which we call fiction. the humanities may oe expected to spring forward to an equality with the best equipped sciences and philoso- phies."