Year: 1875

In the multiplicity of books, it may
be asked, What shall / read? No


one has time to read everything worth
attention in hisown language, not to speak


of the ancient classics and the greatest


works in German and French, which
| comparatively few are able to attack.


This being so, the oft-repeated advice.


Read the best books, bears constant repc-


tition as good and wholesome counsel.


The majority of people who peruse this
| page, busy from morn to eve, the women
| in their domestic duties, and the men in
manual industry or in trade, cannot spare
more than a short time every day for


reading in addition to that which they


devote to their religious duties, and in
acquainting themselves with current


events and opinions thereupoD. They
generally take a paper, such as this


journal, and find recreation and instruc-
tiOn in its miscellaneous contents. But


they feel that this is not sufficient; that


they should engage themseyes, if but


for half an hour day, in a study which


will not heavily take their energies, but


at the same time give them the conscious


ness that they are making substantial


mental progress. We believe this de-


scriptiOn applies with reference to many


of our readers, to whom we venture to


present a suggestion which may lee found


profitable.


1t is simply this: That they make il


a part of the daily routine Systematically


to employ themselves upon one of the


best books in the mother tongue. In our


opinion, excepting in special cases, the


pursuit of information merely, such rs


history, natural science, etc, will be


found less advantageous than the intel


lectual discipline afforded by the thorough


study of the greatest poets and moral


lists. A person, for example, who has


worked sufficiently upon Millions Para


disc Lost, as to enjoy it, has accomplished
no ordinary feat. This magnificent work
remains, as it probably ever will be, the
most splendid example in English litera-
ture of what the human spirit is capable
of producing, the most exalted natural
abilities being aided by vast erudition
and the sublime purpose bred of a virtu
Gus, studious and devout life. This
wondrOus orb of song" as Wordsworth
calls it, to be thoroughly known and APP
preciated, requires such labOrious dill !
gence as may well be compared with the !
pains which nature imposes upon those |
who would enrich themselves with the |
multifariOus products of the planet upon |
which we live. But what gain must |
follow the necessary application. To |
enumerate but a few of the advantages |
accruing to the conscientious student of |
its teeming pages. AS to information, |
here is an unsurpassed exhibition of |
beauty and exactness in the use of words, |
the result of half a century's toll in liter
ary fields; a comprehensive presentation |
of the beautiful mythology of the Greeks; |
references to history and story which |
delightfully."- suggest much reCreative and |
instructive reading within reach by the
aid of most city libraries, and a cOmprc-
hensive outline of revealed religion. Still
nobler gains, however, are left to be
spoken of, if, indeed, the mention Of this
wonderful book does not in itself suggest
them. Where, apart from the Sacred
Volume itslef, shall we look for an equal
sustained sublimity of thought and de-
for theme anywise compara-
BILE to that which is treated in its, we
had almost written, infinite vastness
of subject, including, as it does, heaven,
earth and the lower world and their
with their various purposes
and emotions? Let us think, moreover,
of its wondrous moral teaching, in both
direct expression and by implication.
And, not to multiply words, the varied
of its numbers, is the lasting
wonder and despair of the poets. To
borrow a thought from the appreciative
Cowper: Like the huge cathedral organ,
it embodies every variety of musical
verse: the deep, loud and swelling tones
which overwhelm the mind with their
grandeur, the tender vibrations which
move the passions, and the soft and silvery
sounds which compose the spirits with
their delicious sweetness.


Such delight and instruction, elevation
and enlargement of soul, are within the
reach of all who read these words. An
excellently edited copy of the divine
poem, of which we have spoken, may be
purchased for an insignificant amount.
We commend our suggestion in conf
lence and the hope that it will be made
York Weekly.