The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-27
LITERATURE FOR CHILDREN.

A correspondent Of the Journal asks 10
authors Of children's books" What Is
wanted. presumably, are the names of those
writers who have produced their books with
the definite purpose OF catering to the juve-
nile taste. 1t is possible, even probable.
that a list Of fifteen who have had fair
success in this undertaking might be given.
but whether so man are the authors Of
works possessing the lasting quality and
the literary merit that entities them to
be called standard" may be considered
doubtful. At all events, the Journal will
not now undertake to decide the question.
A point suggested by the query is whether
II Is really essential or important that a
child be supplied with literature intended
especially and primarily for his delectation.
Books of this class are for the most part a
comparatively recent product. Our grand
parents had few. If any. of them; our par
ents, when young, were acquainted
with q few volumes that they con-
sidered exclusively their own, but
IL Is only within the past few years
that the flood Of Juvenile literature has
almost equaled In extent that of fiction for
more mature readers. Innumerable books
Der Of volumes in which girls are the lead
Ing actors-most Of the tales moral in tone
and innocuous in sentiment-load the
shelves Of library and bookshop. Myths
and the records Of the doings of great men
OF history nave been written down. to
a point supposed to be within easy compre-
hension or youthful readers; classic tales
nave been "expurgated" until they are free
from faint; even Mother Goose" once
cherished Of childhood In total innocence
OF the books faults. has been revised
until the pages are free from rhyme
or Jingle that could offend the ten
derest of i~nfantile sensibilities. Perhaps
this milk Of babes' Is beneficial to
the young consumers; perhaps by means
of 1t hey are led by easy upward steps to
a place where they are able to appreciate
a strong meat" a more advanced litera-
ture-the best there is. The Journal does
not know that this IL so or that 1t Is not:
1t only wonders II children really need SO
much especially prepared ''predigested''
food. or if the rising generations power of
that of the generation just back: it won
ders whether II the youngsters of to-day
were suddenly deprived of all so-called
Juvenile books. they would not presently
find quite as keen enjoyment and as much
innocent pleasure. to say nothing of genu-
intended for their elders.
The Journal knows Of a child who. living
IN rather a remote country place at a time
when such Juvenile literature as existed
was not as freely and widely distributed as
now, read. between her ninth and twelfth
birthdays. these books. among others: '"The
Arabian Nights" Robinson Crusoe."
Scott's "Tales OF a Grandfather sJane
Eyre" Uncle Toms Cabin" David Con-
perfield." several Of Marryat's novels.
among them ''Japhet in Search of a Fa-
thsr,' 'Midshipman Easy" and "Snarle-
VOW" Maury's Physical Geography" one
or two Of Mrs. Southworth's novels. a
small volume of Greek mythology and a
volume or two OF biography. The most of
these she read over and over and took no
harm from any. Years after she was
amazed 10 read OF an edition of the Arab
an Nights ''expurgated for children's use"
and sought the old volume TO discover
where lay its improprieties. All these had
passed harmlessly over her head. "Jane
Eyre she deeply enjoyed. and was greatly
impressed with. though rather by the her
oine's misfortunes and adventures than by
the intensity OF the love story. Out OF
Maury she gathered an idea OF the mys-
teries OF wind and wave she might
never have acquired later. Marryat's
stories entertained her highly. though nc
doubt she lost some OF their cleveresi
points. not having the smallest idea. fol
Instance, why Japhet had no father. OF
why he did not find him. She would no.
recommend Marryat. perhaps, as a suit
able author for young readers. nor yet Mrs
~Southworth. but the argument here is not
so much in regard TO suitability as &c
whether children can find entertainment
and satisfaction in books not written fol
them. In this instance the child read those
that CHANGED 10 come In her way. With a
larger library Of books for older readers