Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-12-15
PROF. MARINER OF
COLBY GIVES fine
DISCOURSE ON BOOKS

we are fioundering in a sea of
printers ink, was the declaration
made by Prof. Mariner of Colby
college in speaking before the Current
Events Club, Friday, afternoon. ..In
1872, there Were enough books writ
ten IN America and England, for a
single copy of each to be piled up.
the pile would be SO feet higher than
the Woolworth building. Why do
you read book Because if is
around handy and because a friend
recommends it?
A year of, consistent reading was
suggested by the Colby professor.
head just one good look a month.
ne, Followed on to say,s"Of course
along with the usual humber of mag
aZines and the newspapers. Read
BOOKS with the idea to find out some
thing about the development of man
through the ages" In the month of
January he suggested books relative
10 othe earth, Evolution of the
Earth and It's Inhabitants" In Feb
ruary something regarding animal
life; March. early man, Elliott's
prehistoric Man, April, rise of man
through the ages. Shotwell's Intro
duction of the History of History;
May, biography. Life and Letters of
Walter Hines Page; June, mans
scientific achievement. Science Re-
making the World. Thompson's
Outline of Science; July, money,
Caldwells Capitals Duty to the
Wage Garner; Moulton and Ma
CURES "Germany's Capacity to Pay;
August. mans relationship with his
fellows; September. mans ability to
rule. kimbalrs National Govren-
ment of the United States" Bryce's
M odern Democracy: October mans
thinking power. "How We Think" by
John Dewey: Robinson mind in the
Making; November. mans aesthetic
achievements. good books about lit
eraturc, music, sculpture. December.
mans worship, Soper'& "The Faith
of Mankind. Hopkins Origin and
Evolution of Religion.
Books have some advantage even
over conversation. You can see as
far as your horizon; YOU can hear as
far as your ear drums will permit
and YOU can talk to one or more. But
books can take YOU to.the uttermost
point of the earth and can bring you
into contact with the Ewing and the
dead. Books do certain things. They
are the tools of the mind. Tools or
machinery Will do something a little
quicker than it can be done by hand.
Take for instance. HumEoldt's seven
teen years scaling the Alps; four
voyages, covering period of 20 years
in Peary's dash for the North Pole
T.. years by Livingstone into the
wilds of Africa before he reached the
head waters of the Congo. Now in
books you can read'all this in few
hours. which it took years to occur
ard without suffering African fever
or the Arctic cold. So books are
tools
Suppose when Edison made the
monograph there was no way in
which to record the method and ever
after when one was made. the work =
man was obliged to go through the
same process covering Years?
Books help us to see. Quoting an
old professor. Mr.. Mariner declared.
sight given insight and insight gives
foresight" We cannot have our
young people read too much biogra
ply"
The meeting of Friday afternoon
was held in the assembly room at
COny high school and was particular
~ we'll attended as each member of
the Current Events Club was allowed
to bring a guest. and 'he members of
the Augusta Study Club were pres
ent at the special invitation of the
Current Events Club. At brief
business session the club appropriate
ed the SUM of s. which is to he used
for the State Board of Charities and
Corrections Christmas fund. i'm pVr-
chasing presents for the little wards
of the state. y
After the meeting and lecture by
4
in the school library by the young Ia
dies of the domestic science classes
of the high school. under the direc-
ton Of the supervisor. Miss Blanche
Webster. assisted by Miss George
Metcalf and Miss Lillian Otis.
The program at the meeting Fri4
day was under the direction of the
educational committee of which Mrs.
Fred w. Burrill is chairman.