The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-24

Boston. Price $3.50.
The connection between shorthand
writing and the moral character has
never been demonstrated. Now comes
an interesting statement upon this
point from man who composed a
Gardenhire. author of Lux Crucis,
published last February by the Harp
ers- He writes thus to the Phono-
graphic Magazine:
Il began the study Of photography
twenty-eight years ago, when 1 was
twenty years of age, and acquired
some competency during the succeed
ing five years of law study and a brief
less practice. 1t was of inestimable
value to me during this period, as it
AFFORDED me an income, and widened
my capacity for a better study of my
profession. I did a general reporting
business in the courts of St. Louis. and
served Walbridge, Holland & Brown,
a noted firm of general stenographers.
A period as official stenographer added
10 my experience, and since that time
l have written shorthand in connec-
ton with my engagements as a law
yer, probably every day of my life. I
imagine that it has related to my well
rare and activity. as its facility relates
to its simplicity as compared with
longhand- 1t has enormously enlarged
my capacity for work; conserved my
health: lightened my labor; saved me
wrinkles. gray hairs, and care; i'm
proved my temper and disposition;
strengthened my moral Character. in
that 1T had to do with all of the pre-
to make me a useful citizen than any
other accomplishment which I may
have acquired"
In his article on 1.-THE School of
Life" in Harper's Magazine for Octo-
Der, Henry van Dyke tells of the books
which mean the most to him and
which he thinks the best worth read
ing;
81 want books not to pass the time.
but to I'LL it with beautiful thoughts
and images, to enlarge my world, to
give me new friends in the spirit to
purify my ideals and make them clear,
to show me the local color of unknown
regions and the bright stars of i'm
mortal truth.
IT wish to go abroad, to hear new
messages, to meet new people, to get
fresh point of view, to revisit other
ages, to listen to the oracles of Delphi
and drink deep of the springs of
Pieria- The only writer who can tell
me anything of real value about my
familiar environment is the genius
who shows me that, after all, it is not
familiar, but strange. wonderful,
crowded with secrets unguessed and
possibilities unreaIified.
The two things best worth writing
about in poetry and fiction are the
symbols of nature and the passions of
the human heart. 1 want also an es-
illumination and lambert humor;
philosopher who will help me see the
reason of things apparently unreason-
able; historian who will show me
how peoples have risen and fallen; and
a biographer who will let me touch the
hand of the great and the good. This
is the magic of literature. This is how
real books help to educate us in the
Sch DOL of Life"
CHM & Co. have put out fresh e6i-
ton, with illustrations, OF the late
John Fiske's fluent popular little
sketch How the United States Became
a Nation" 1t well exhibits the dan
gers, both in proportion and in judg-
ment. which such work involves. Take
the chapter headed 1.-The Rise of the
Democracy" Here we find in one
paragraph the coming into use of fric-
ton matches and the whole anti
slavery movement (twelve lines) CO.
ordinated, together with this wild ex-
travagance regarding Webster: HE
was probably the greatest orator that
ever lived, after Demosthenes and
Chatham, and as a master of the Eng
lish language he was superior to Chat
ham," In reference to his Union saw
ing utterances: 'In this way Webster
rendered incalculable service, and not
a bit too soon: for"-notice the extra
ordinary conjunction-'thum
movements were beginning to make
then, opposed to humanitarianism? If
so, to whom did he render 'incalcul-
able service?" We cannot think it any
service to Mr.. F'iske's memory to re-
vive this hasty epitome-