Evening journal., 1914-03-09
Peoples Column
GOOD BOOKS AND THE HOME.

To the Editor Of THE EVENING
JOURNAL, Sir: The absence of good
books in a home makes that home in
completes devoid of q certain atmo-
sphere OF culture and pleasurable seren.
ity that tends to make the home bet
ter for its existence there.
To have a collection Of books OF ones
owna library the midst OF which
to sit down after the days task is DONE
and become absorbed in some one vol
umc or TO browse among them ALL is one
of the greatest of lifcs pleasures--if
one is fond OF books. for in them, il well
chosen. we may have with us all the
great minds Of the past and OF the
present.
Il ia JOY 20 possess good books, even
if the time cannot be found TO read
them exhaustively The pleasure then,
is ~ the consciousness that we have
them at our command whenever de-
sired and that in spirit. we may be in
the presence OF the writer's even If we
do not have the opportunity to read
their writings as often as We should
like.
II is great privilege we have,
through the medium of books. TO hold
social converse with the mighty dead
of ancient days-men who lived and
died centurie, upon centuries ago. but
whose written thoughts still live as in
spirations TO many. and viii live to in
spire as long as time lasts Should it
be our desire to commune with Plato
or with Epictetus and other minds OF
that time it is but for MS to reach for
a volume and have these great per
sonages speaking to us
I Imagine. in the words of Aiken that
We had it in our power TO call mp the
shades Of the greatest and wisest men
that ever existed, and obligc them TO
converse with US on the most interest
ing topics, what an inestimabe privilege
should we think itl--how superior to all
common enioyments But in wcl-fur-
nished library we, in fact. possess this
power We can question NcnophoD and
Caesar ON their campaigns, make Demos.
themes and Cicero plead before us, Join IN
the audiences of Socrates and Plato, and
receive demonstrations from Euclid and
Newton. In books We have the choicest
thoughts OF the ablest men in their best
dress"
Books today. may be purchased at
prices within the means OF those who
have but little to spend for things other
than the bare necessities Of life. There
is, therefore, no reason why anybody
who desires TO have in his home good
reading matter, should be without it.
Thomas Carlisle has wisely said that
collection of books is a real university
OF course. he meant good books Those
on religion, philosophy. science, litera'
ture and travel, written by authoritie-
on those subjects, constitute within
themselves, surely much OF what Is Il
be found at the universities.
a worthy book should be read and le
read until its contents have become tn,
property Of the readers mind. To be 3
good book. il should contain within it'
covers something new and interesting
to b. discovered at each successive read
ing. such books have on their pages
certain passages that may appeal IS
pecially to the reader. seeming TO voice
his own thoughts. as it We're. IL i
we'll to mark such passages that they
may be readily referred TO when oc
casiou requires. and books so marked
1--we shall find become very dear TO us
las old friends with whom we would moi
part
As for books of travel, we may si
in our library at home reading then
and yet be in all quarters of the earth
We may travel round the world will
Ruskin and others. who will show ui
more perhaps than ever we she''id se'
for ourselves.
"He that loveth book, says Isaac
Barrow. "will never want faithful
friend. wholesome counsellor. cheer
ful companion, an eifectual comforter.
Jeremy Collier says: Books are
guide in youth and an entertainment tol
age They support us under solitude
and keep Us from being burden L
ourselves They help us 20 forget thu
crossness OF men and things; compos'
our cares and our passions. and lay on
disappointments asleep. When we ar
iwealy OF the living. we may repair L
the dead. who have nothing OF peevish
ness. pride or design in their converse
ton. T.. MATTHEW WEBB.
Wilmington. Del, March Z. 1914.