New-York tribune., 1909-01-29
ONE WAY TO CULTURE.
self-Improvement Matter of Continuity, Not
Spasmodic Effort.

IT is amazing how much can be accomplished
even with slight effort. provided the ehort Is
continuous began the writer who mad ylelueu
10 the opportunities of half dozen friends to give
them an informal talk once week on writing
reading and kindred matters. The mistake thaI
most of US make in attempting plans for culture
that very indefinite words that we arrange 100
heavy Programmes for ourselves. For instance, 10
begin winters reading that includes whoie
strenuous regular hour daily, with perhaps reler
ence work added is to nip the plan in the bud at
the start. Few OF US can be sure OF soiiu '1oui'
daily in our lives
But how shall We accomplish anything without
regularity" questioned one Of the hearers; to ask
and to answer questions was the elastic plan OF
these informal gatherings.
d" The time that q man may call his own that Is
his life" came the answer the familiar Charles
Lamb quotation. Long ago found that the way
10 do anything TO do it all the time-in read
| ing to have the book where could pick 1t up IN
between-times of waiting, such as being ready TOT
dinner ten minutes ahead in piano playing. hfteeh
minutes at a time is recommended by some excel
lent teachers as the best and least fatiguing way
! of progress. II you regard your reading or your
piano playing or your writing as thing apart from
your life, the chances are it will remain thing
apart Make your attempt at culture an every
| day. all the time matter; the culture sinks IN
| deeper; you gain in the end
Give US some concrete direction, please" de-
/
| please" nlurmured one or two others. This all
| the-time-dong idea appeared rather startling 10
| these women, accustomed TO engagement pads and
constant rushing extreme of doing to an
other.
Take the simple matter Of keeping quotation
| book-you may call il a commonplace book or
| whatever you choose. I recommend that each one
Of you provide herself with moderate sized note
| book. as ornamental you please, but above all
durable. Perhaps some of you have had the quo
| tatfon book habit from girlhood?" There was no
| CLINT Of response as the speaker looked around
'eWeIl-begin to-day to apt quotation
from any source, newspaper, magazine, novel.
poetry. Each one OF you will find, believe, that
/ the first quotation has particularly personal
| reference"
But there ere so many good quotation books al
ready made; It seems a waste of time TO do ones
| own protested the least busy Of them all
Yes there good quotation books to be
| bought-but they have not the charm added by
! ones own compiling You would hardly believe
| how much Will group itself around your book. 1t
will be record of your personality in the first
place for you will naturally copy into It what has
especial purport for yourself It will be an inspira-
| ton sometimes, when you fall into unheroic
| mood It will be a resource if you want something
apt to quote. Above ALL If you really add to your
book from time to time. with sort of affection for
| quite as much to you ornament you have
stored away in your safe deposit box.
Now enough about this" said the speaker,
changing her subject, her privilege, for one
that had to do with current literature. but adding
Z last word: Next time / shall begin talk by
telling you what L think of the keeping journal
habit"