READING OR PROFIT AND PLEASURE.

Lake County Press, Issue 2459, 2 January 1913, Page 7

READING OR PROFIT AND PLEASURE.

Girls who have just left school, girls who are commencing a career eithei at homo or in the larger world of business, are conscious that the question of self-improvement now rests with themselves. in a vague fashion the.> realise that tho education and training with which their parents havo equip ed thorn falls short of the approved standard, and that there is a broader and more strenuous trend of thought and life, which is theirs to attain the right means aro pursued. And one of tho greatest and mos. powerful aids, free and open to all, is supplied in books. By this Ido notmean that reading voraciously and indiscriminately everything that comes in tho way is likely to make one wiser or a more interesting companion, but good reading that is well directed towards some definite aim. Books which will suggest, that will open out before the mental vision tracts of unexplored thought and reasoning, books which will bring ono in closer touch and understanding with Nature and with humanity, aro what are required to help in developing thoso mental energies and abilities of which one is conscious, yet does not know how to apply or utilise. While granting that the market is flooded with books intended for the reading of young people, yet to place a girl amidst.this whirlpool of mental pabulum, is surely dangerous. She will have nothing to guide her in her choice, which will probably alight on some attractive but perniciously romantic books that will only help to deteriorate or atrophy permanently whatever mental abilities -she possesses. And towards this aspect of tho question I cannot help thinking that parents would do well to interest themselves more than thoy do in schemes of reading for their girls and boys, and to take an interest, as far as they can, in the instructive and beautiful books now issued in cheap and got-at-able editions. especially for young people. Provide these as liberally as moans allow, give them as prizes and awards. and presents at birthdavs, etc., and tho bookish tastes of the younger generation will, bo formed earlv for that which is lovely and of good report, instead of for that which is evil