Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-09-03
Founders Day at Paris Hill Library.
BIRTHDAY OF DIR. AUGUSTUS C. HAM
LIN APPROXIMATELY OBSERVED.

BIRTHDAY OF DIR. AUGUSTUS C. HAM
LIN APPROXIMATELY OBSERVED.
The birthday of the late DIR. Augustus
c. Hamlin of Bangor, who established
the public library on Paris Hill known
as Hamlin Memorial Library, was cele-
brated Wednesday as Founders Day by
the Paris Hill Library Association. The
occasion was an interesting one, and
called out a large attendance OF the
permanent residents and summer guests
of Paris Hill.
DR.. Hamlin's interest in Paris Hill
the home of his ancestors, and his specia
interest in the tourmaline mine at Mount
Mica, led him to establish this memorial
building. As is well remembered, after
the old county buildings at the Hill
were abandoned by the county, DIR. Ham
lin made the proposition that If the
owners to whom the property had re
verified would deed their interest in the
Jail. he would convert it into public
library and cabinet of minerals.
The offer was accepted, and the large
number of heirs of Jesse Cummings, the
original proprietor, having decided theii
interest, DR.. Hamlin proceeded to re-
model the building. A new fireprooi
roof was put on, and the inside psrti
tions were removed so as to make one
room of the entire building. No change
was made in the stone walls OF the build
ing, which stand just as they were, with
the heavy iron doors and small, double
grated windows. The only material
difference in appearance is due to q
growth of ivy on the walls.
A large number of books were given
by DR.. Hamlin to found the library, and
his gift was increased by several later
additions. In his will he also left a
fund to provide for the permanent
maintenance of the library. Numerous
accessions have been received from
various other sources, and the library
now contains large and we'll assorted
list of books.
Besides the library, the building
which is known as Hamlin Memoria
Hall, contains some memorials OF the
Hamlin family, and fine collection o.
tourmalines aud other minerals from
Mount Mica, contributed By DR.. Hamlin
besides the S. K. Carter collection o.
minerals.
Wednesdays exercises were held OF
the grounds in front of the library
where seats for the spectators, and &
platform for the speakers, had been ar
ranged. Miss p. n. Andrews, presiden
of the library association, presided, anC
the programme opened with music by
the orchestra. The speakers were Pro
lessor E. A. Daniels of New York, Lorer
B. Merrill of Paris Hill, Rev. G. q
Ames, d. D., of Boston. and Rev. G. A
Knickerbocker of Arlington, Mass. A
poem was also read, written by Miss
Ware of Auburndale, Mass, a summer
guest at the Hill.
Professor Daniels said in part: "Th'
church and the school house have char
acterized civilization from its earliest
beginnings. Now the library is an i'm
portant factor in the world and is already
added to the list of educational iustitu
tions. The boys of to-day know NOR,
than the average man of few hundred
years ago, because life has wider issues
broader views and opportunities fol
personal enlightenment are greater. Th'
education of the average boy of to-day II
CLEANED as much from reading as from
actual schooling. Thought is the cur
rency of the intellectual world anC
Libraries properly used make thinking
men. This is the influence of the librar,
in connection with the school,"
Mr.. Merrill, who has for eighteen years
had charge of the work at the Noun
Mica mine, in which DIR. Hamlin wa:
the principal owner, spoke in persona
vein OF DR.. Hsmlin, and gave many
"reminiscences of him, illustrating espe
cially his interest in the mine and th'
almost instructive knowledge of The
work which he displayed.
Rev. c. G. Ames, ID. D., spoke some
what as follows: "This occasion strike:
me as being strictly rural. The oldes
library of which we have an historical
record was owned by an Egyptian kins
about 1900 years ago and was inscribed
with these words, office of medicine fol
diseased souls. All men desire knowl
edge, and all men crave to see and t.
understand the world. The difficulty in
modern times Is not to get books read
but to get them rightly used. The object
of reading is not to read for the books
sake, but to get something from the
book which we can adapt to our needs
That is to say, book is valuable as II
meets some need. "A good book is q
book which does thee good Coco
books enlarge, enrich, reprove, admouisf
or direct"
The last speaker was Rev. C. A
Knickerbocker, who said in part: "Pre
vious speakers have told you what book!
to read, so l shall tell you what not t
read. A person who attempts to rea(
every new book that comes from tn,
press makes great mistake, for it can
not be done. Books have three pur
poses: to smuse, to instruct, and Il
stimulate. A busy man who works will
bis brain needs to read for recreation. A
man who works with his hands needs r.
read for instruction and stimulation
To gain wisdom Is the purpose Of read
ing. 1t Ia better to have one idea CLEAN
ed from our own head than q thousand
from some ones else. The best way T.
get An original idea Is to read aloud with
other persons and then to talk over the
book. I believe in books because they
bring men close together. The greai
trouble with most men is that they read
and absorb great deal, but they throw
OF very little Of what they read. Thu
world would be better II We didn't keel
L. -ool co ,uraalvoa W.