who had won and enjoyed a world-wide | several biographies, travels and voyages, reputation. But in the department of a set of Shakspeare, The Spectator, The belles-lettres, little or nothing had been produced that could claim and keep a place in the elegant literature of the world. It resulted necessarily from the condition of a newly settled country, that a class who could devote themselves to the production of works of taste and art should be something to be waited for till the foundations of society and institutions should have been well laid." And in regard to the great change that then took place, (principally within the second quarter of the century), he says: "So sudden and rapid have been the rise and growth of American literature, that it would be difficult for those who have but lately come upon the stage to conceive how strong was the desire, in the earlier years of the present century, that something worthy of that name might be produced, nor with what enthusiasm the stars that rose one after another till they formed the brilliant constellation on which we now are wont to look admiringly, were greeted as they appeared." This applies of course to literary circles rather than to the people at large, and at the earlier period to which I allude, which was in the days of stage coaches, the fame of our young authors traveled slowly; and their productions more So. Not withstanding our two conflicts with the mother country, we still read her literature rather than our own, and that too of the past rather than of the living present. As an illustration:-of the books in the house, I remember, aside from my father's little collection of medical works, Cook's Voyages around the World, Gregory's Dictionary of the Arts and Sciences, (a tolerable sort of Encyclopedia,) Rollin's Ancient History, Tooke's Pantheon, Junius' Letters, Thomson's Seasons, Scott's Lady of the Lake and Lay of the Last Minstrel, and his Rob Roy, Johnson's Rasselas, Thaddeus of Warsaw, and some other books which I need not enumerate. But what is more to the point, there happened to be kept at that time, in my father's house, a small town library embracing a few standard histories, Rambler, some of the writings of Swift and Sterne, and I think Cowper's and Thomson's poems, with a number of more miscellaneous and less valuable books. Of American books, Marshall's Life of Washington occupied the most conspicuous place, and with The Federalist, "Salamagundi," a collection of satirical papers, by Paulding and Irving, John Bull in America by Paulding, and Trumbull's McFingal and other satires, made up about all the American books at that time in the library, though the list was soon afterwards enlarged. As to periodical literature, the show was, at that time, quite meager. The N. A. Review had achieved what has proved to be a permanent existence, though it has never yet reached any considerable circulation. Several Literary Magazines had appeared, since the Revolution, but nearly all died, in infancy or early childhood. I have spoken of one in Boston to which Bryant contributed about this time, but it went down. A Philadelphia Magazine maintained its existence from 1800 to 1825. At the time I speak of, that is 50 years ago, I should say that very few magazines of any kind came to our town. Two or three Boston papers were probably taken, but the bulk of the people saw no periodical literature, except the county newspaper. This was pretty widely circulated, and it was a notable event, when in obedience to the notice, (written successively on the margin of each one's paper), "Your turn next," the journey of 15 miles was made, to the county-seat, "to get the papers"-a notable event at least for the boys. Our county paper, and I think it was so generally, was edited with care and ability; its arrival and perusal was the literary event of the week, and divided interest with the parson's sermons. Editors performed their own work, without the aid of "patent insides," and had not reached the slang and slip-shod style of the present day. It may be said, I think with justice, that newspapers did a good deal at that time to elevate and guide public sentiment, and to cultivate and purify public taste, which is more than can be said now I fear, of many of them. of the fact, that the newspaper, using that term in its broad sense, has become a leading and potent factor in the problem before us. And its potency is constantly increasing. From 1870 to 1874 the increase was from 5,871 to 7,339. Of this last number more than five-sevenths, namely, 5,554 are weeklies, 678 are dailies, and 744 monthlies. There has also been a large increase in the size and circulation of all sorts of periodicals, some of our dailies rivaling a bed-blanket in superficial area, and some of the weeklies, and these by no means the best-say the New York Ledger-have reached an issue of hundreds of thousands. It may be thought that people did not read much at this period; of the less educated classes, many of course, then as now, read very little. The Bible I should say was a good deal more read; also such books as The Pilgrim's Progress, Watt's Improvement of the Mind, Mason on Self Knowlege, Doddridge's Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul, and Baxter's Saints' Rest. With the less strict sort of people, I remember that among the most popular books were the Arabian Nights Entertainments, and Robinson Crusoe; the Life of Baron I shall not take the time of the AssociTrenck, an Austrian Prisoner, and the ation to enter fully into the question of Narrative of Jas. Riley, a captive among the influence of periodical literature, but the Arabs. Another popular book was we may profitably note some important the Life of Stephen Burroughs, a noted points: Periodical literature is mostly scamp of the period; and I must confess, fragmentary and miscellaneous; as though it be to my discredit, that I found means of coming in contact with the livthe latter class of books the most entering thought of the age, and knowing the taining, with the exception of the Pilgrim's Progress. The existence of our little town libraries, however, shows that the better class of people read also another sort of books. And there was considerable borrowing from each other. I remember the delight I had in getting Cooper's Spy in this way, and Irving's Sketch Book. It was just about this time that literary papers and magazines began to have a more permanent existence. I remember as coming into the house, not long after this date, (1824,) a large weekly-i. e., large for those days, called, I think, the Saturday Evening Post, and published in Philadelphia; also, a monthly from the same city of brotherly love, called the "Casket," and afterwards merged in Graham's Magazine. From this time periodical literature rapidly expanded. a progress of humanity, we need its instrumentality of course, and many would say I suppose that we especially need it to get the news. I am somewhat of the opinion, however, cf a deaf lady whom I commiserated for her misfortune. She said it was not an unmitigated misfortune; that considering the staple of common talk, she heard enough as it was. I am of opinion that it would be no loss if a good deal of our periodical literature were cut off, especially, if we could eliminate what is worse than worthless. I will here quote a paragraph from Coleridge, and though he is speaking of habitual novel reading, his remarks apply to the excessive preponderance of periodical literature in our habitual reading; more especially as a good share of this literature consists of novels and stories. Coleridge says:— In 1824, the number of periodicals published in the United States, estimating man mind never to be called into effort; "It cannot but be injurious to the hufrom the number reported in the census the habit of receiving pleasure without of 1830, was about 730. At the present any exertion of thought, by the mere extime there are 7,300, an increase of ten citement of curiosity and sensibility, may fold, while our population has only quad- of habitual novel reading. It is true that be justly ranked among the worst effects rupled in fifty years. these short and unconnected sentences We come here then to the recognition are easily and instantly understood: but it is equally true, that wanting all the cement of thoughts as well as of style, all the connections, and (if you will forgive too trivial a metaphor) all the hooks. and-eyes of the memory, they are as easily forgotten: or rather, it is scarcely possible that they should be remembered. Nor is it less true, that those who confine their reading to such books dwarf their own faculties, and finally reduce their understandings to a deplorable imbecility. Like idle morning visitors, the brisk and breathless periods hurry in and hurry off in quick and profitless succession; each indeed for the moments of its stay prevents the pain of vacancy, while it indulges the love of sloth; but all together they leave the mistress of the house (the soul I mean) flat and exhausted, incapable of attending to her own concerns, and unfitted for the conversation of more rational guests." that for the whole State only 16,000 vo.umes are reported, valued at 16,000 dollars. This gives a little more than three volumes for each district, and 20 for each town. Many districts, however, and not a few towns, have no library. Less than a thousand dollars were expended during the last school year. Up to 1860, ten per cent. of the income of the school fund might be devoted to libraries, and in 1859, a tax of one-tenth of one mill on the dollar valuation for the same purpose was provided for, but the law was repealed the next year, and the ten per cent. ordered to be used again for ordinary school purposes. Practically, therefore, our school library system has never been carried to any thing like successful and important results. Superintendent Draper, in 1858, made a most earnest effort to give the matter an impetus, and embodied in his report for that year an invaluable array of facts and opinions bearing upon the subject, but his commendable zeal produced no permanent effects. It is not necessary to deny that the newspaper and magazine have their place, and an important place in the instrumentalities of the literary culture and intellectual intercourse of the world. They are among the great civilizing influences of modern times. But the best diet is not exclusively animal or vegetable; still less one made up of pastry and sweet- Mr. Draper advocated the plan of town meats. What we need at this time, is a rather than district libraries, and this return in some measure to a more solid view was almost unanimously concurred and substantial diet-that is more read-in by a large number of educators within ing of books and less of periodicals, and and without the State to whom he adso more systematic and continuous reading, and less capricious tasting of every thing. And not only do we want this change, but some provision for making it general and popular. There are two feasible methods, among others, for bringing this about: one is free public libraries, and the other is school libraries. The former is of especial importance for our cities and larger towns, and is an instrumentality whose good effects in elevating a community, in throwing a wise and salutary restraint around the young, in lessening temptations to dissipation and folly, have never been adequately tested. But as teachers, we are more directly interested in school libraries. The school law of Wisconsin provides that each district may expend 50 dollars a year for a library, and if a large district, 75 dollars. That the law is nearly inoperative, is seen in the fact dressed a circular of inquiry. As he honored me by asking my opinion, I made the following reply, which I give as embodying my present views: "Your Circular in regard to School Libraries is received, and I am truly glad you have taken the matter in hand. It has long seemed to me, that a principal defect in our management of school affairs, in this and other States, is a want of concentration of interest and effort. The little district or neighborhood Library, is a natural concomitant of the district school, and both are abortive. Town Libraries have almost everything to recommend them over the smaller Libraries now contemplated, and would readily connect themselves with the idea of a Union Central School, in each town, or other municipality. The two things would mutually help each other. The location of the Library is a matter of less suitable arrangements with the best publishers, the best books could of course be obtained at a very moderate cost. I trust you may be successful in awaken consequence, however, than its being called into efficient existence, and while it might properly be deposited in the central school-house, and thus stimu late and aid the larger pupils, and forming new interest in this important instruan additional link between the people and the principal school in the townwhere such school exists-it might of course be located in any other suitable place. The divisions of a Library into sec-dian Library system, which seems to me, tions, as you propose, might have advantages, and it would be well enough to permit this arrangement, if desired. ment of public instruction, and that your suggestions will have the weight which they ought to have with the Legislature. The suggestions which I have made, accord most nearly with the Upper Cana on the whole, to be the most judicious of any which I have examined. You are undoubtedly familiar with the system." I am more in doubt about the matter of The only thing peculiar to this reply to furnishing the books. In this, two things, the Circular is the recommendation of it seems to me, are to be kept in view-some plan of furnishing the books like the selection of good books, and the ex- the Canadian. To inaugurate a library citement of proper interest on the part of system with success, it will not do to the people. Economy in the purchase of count upon the actual existence of a debooks should not be overlooked. Should sire for good books; this desire must be the State send a Library to each town created, or drawn out. There is a prevafree of all expense, and without invoking lent notion that reading is a good thing, any action on their part, it is to be feared but unfortunately the existing taste is too that the boon would not be properly ap- often satisfied with a very meagre and preciated. People take far more interest unwholesome diet. By a little adroit apand pride in what they have got up them-peal to cupidity, or that notion of econ selves, and will take better care of that which has cost them something, than of a gratuity. I should say, therefore, that the best plan would be for the State to provide for the selection of a judicious list of books; that a catalogue should be sent to each town; that the offer should be made to furnish each town (within certain restrictions, according to the population, or pupils in the schools,) with an amount of books equal in value to the amount which they should elect to purchase themselves. It would be very easy to indicate in the catalogue, judicious selections of books worth, fifty, one hundred, or five hundred dollars, which would be sent to any town, agreeably to the prescribed rules, on receipt of one half the cost. omy, which is powerful in the American breast, it would be possible, if the thing were taken up in earnest, to get good books into the hands of the people. There are enough intelligent persons in almost every town who would aid in the matter, and the books, once introduced, would by degrees, with judicious oversight and influence by school authorities and teachers, work their way into the regards of the people, old and young. I do not know of any thing so much needed, to fill and round out our educational agencies and educational work, as some effective popular library system. There can be no doubt that it should be a town system. If we but had the town system of schools the way would be clear; as it is, I should say, that if the It is to be presumed that in many towns offer of books were made, it would be this course would be preferred. If, how wise so to discriminate as to make it an ever, any towns chose rather to select their object for the towns to adopt the town own books wholly or in part, though they system. At all events, let the town be might not always select judiciously, they the unit for operations, and such arrange. would at least be confined within the lim-ments made as would give all the school its of an unexceptionable catalogue. By districts ready access to all the books. It Wisconsin Journal of Education. would be premature to go into details; it "A servant taught me to read," and then innocently asked, "does one need to know anything more to learn everything else?" Goethe's peculiar genius, it is said, was called forth to life by hearing the Vicar of Wakefield read by a fellow student; and Gibbon was drawn to the study of history, by reading the historical books in his grandfather's library. Patrick Henry, the unrivalled orator of freedom, is thought by his accomplished biographer, to have had his love of liberty inspired, and his dormant faculties quickened, by the grandeur of the Roman character, the vivid descriptions and eloquent harangues, so beautifully and strikingly set before him in Livy, his favorite author." But is any thing of this kind practicable? This is but another way of asking if people are capable of appreciating the difference between a poor thing and a good one; between mental poverty and riches; between the hotch-potch of mere newspaper reading, and good solid literature. Of course popular taste in this as in other things can be developed only by patient and persistent effort. What it wants first is the right kind of effort from the right kind of men, and some judicious, stimulative legislation. That something of this sort is necessary, is seen in the fact that our library system has hitherto been comparatively inoperative, and in In conclusion, I would only add, that the further fact that although a law was the Association might do something by passed in 1868, authorizing town libraries, the appointment of a suitable committee, the permission seems to have been as lit- not merely to make a report on the subtle used as that for adopting a town sys-ject, in the course of an hour or two, tem of schools. which, after being solemnly adopted, should be allowed to slumber in peace, but to carefully and thoroughly investigate the subject, and report when ready, [and then by seeking such legislation as should seem to be advisable. That such a plan would work is seen in its success in Canada, and it is mentioned in the papers that four hundred libraries have lately sprung into existence in New Jersey, in consequence of a law recently passed granting twenty dollars for the purchase of books to any school raising an equal amount. As a further encouragement, it would be easy to show, by illustrative examples, that a good library may become an educating and elevating influence, through a whole community, of a most marked character. "Books and a public library," says one, "will make readers. Where there are books in a house, you might as well try to keep a bright child from them, as to keep the roots of a willow tree from running to the water. The best mind of youth is drawn irresistably to literature. And a library is a kindling place. It has sometimes awakened genius. WISCONSIN AS THE GEOGRAPHICAL UNIT. BY ALEX. F. NORTH, PEWAUKEE. In many schools much time is laboriously expended in memorizing the statistics in regard to area, population, &c., with very barren results, as a few questions in regard to the comparative area, population, &c., of different countries very soon make manifest. Although almost every child will answer readily that Texas is the largest State in the Union and Rhode Island the smallest, not one in forty makes any near approach to the relative areas of Rhode Island and Wisconsin. In answer to the question, the general reply is that Wisconsin is "When the Duke of Argyle happened to about four times as large as Rhode Island, find his young gardener, Stone, afterwards some will timidly say ten times as large, so celebrated as a mathematician, reading but in putting the question to fifty differNewton's Principia, in Latin, he, in amaze-ent schools I do not think I ever once got ment enquired, how he had made such an approach to the true relative magniacquisitions? The gardener boy replied, tudes. |