The mirror., 1919-11-20
Wealth Anyone Can Have

Z.
Benjamin Franklin. the learned philosopher
once said If you would not be forgotten as soon
you dead, either write things worth reading OF
read things worth writing" Franklin compressed q
world Of truth into his epgrammatic counsel. His
own case fully substantates that truth. Most of the
things he wrote were of such nature that millions
-of mankind since his day have found it highly pro
ftabe to read them. For this reason he is now re.
membered throughout the world and he will contn.
he to be remembered as long as men continue to
read and think.
That Franklin read things worth writing and
worth reading goes without saying. for his native
wisdom and understanding evidently were greatly
enhanced and augmented by judicious reading and
keen observation of all that went on about him
Everyone knows the story of how he denied himself
in his youth in order that he might have more
money for the purchase of books.
Franklin's advice on writing and reading might
proftably be taken heart and pondered by all OF
u.s. Many libraries book stores and news-stands now
adays are running over with stuff that is neither
worth writing nor worth reading On behalf of those
who read. therefore. we appeal to those who write
seek earnestly and conscientiousy to turn
ly what is worth reading. merely that they may
but in order that their labor may prove of real and
lasting benefit to others.
Shakespeare, Dante. Milton, Cervantes. Dickens,
Scott. Stevenson, Longfellow. Holmes, Lowell Bry-
and thousands of others who. like Franklin, have
lived. labored and passed from the of mortal
life are remembered loved and honored to this day
because they wrote things worth reading and read
things worth writing.
The world will never forget Columbus, because
of his great achievement in discovering New
World; the memory of Gladstone will continue per-
enniay green because of his mastery statesmanship
Washington's great work soldier and statesman
stands in the memory Of his countrymen as p4rpet-
ual monument; Lincoln, because of his ability a
statesman and his unselfsh. whole souled devotion
to the of human liberty. will be remembered as
long as mankind continues to appreciate true nobil
ity and worth.
Thousands of others could be mentioned, each a
man whose name and deeds will always stand out
prominently in history. In each case these men be-
come truly great and made themselves immortal
largely as result of the cultural and educational in
fuence of good reading To be sure, all were natur-
ally men of good, sound sense and judgment but not
one of them could have been the great man that he
things he did if he had not been aided by the know
ledge and inspiration that came to him from other
men. transmitted largely by means Of things worth
reading which the other men wrote.
The public's abnormal appetite for literary food
results principally from the fact that too much
worthless trashy material has been included in their
regular mental diet A large number of the writers
. who produce cheap low-grade literature do so be-
cause they believe that be the kind demanded by
the reading public and therefore the most profitable
from financial standpoint.
1t is unfortunately fact that the popular taste
for reading matter has been perverted many authors
have published writings which mental poisonl
and which exert actively pernicious influence but
sell readily and proftably. There are always those
who will pander to vicious tastes if money can be
made by it.
The number of good books is great that no.
afford to ritter away his time reading things
that are not actually worth writing or reading. The
average person could put in all his time reading and
then cover only very small part of the field of the
worlds great literature.
Read only the best writings available and your
taste for good literature will grow rapidly. At the
same time any former liking for light frivolous read
ing will diminish until at length you find such stuff
insipd and large proportion of it well-nieh nau
seating.
Public libraries carrying their shelves mucf
of the worlds best and greatest literature
sible to nearly everyone nowadays. Modern scienct
and invention have made it possible for those
of moderate and limited means to own private libra
ries. Use the public library. Buy a few good book
and begin to get together library of your own ad
ding TO your collection. from time to time you
means and opportunities will permit.
Cultivate the reading habit and substitute it fo