Essays on Social Subjects.

Marlborough Express, Volume III, Issue 136, 19 September 1868, Page 4

Essays on Social Subjects.

BY A LADY. NO. IV.—“ READING AND MUSIC.” In praise of these two necessary and delightful sources of recreation too much cannot be said, nor can we thank sufficiently those who in our youth seek to instil into our minds a taste for them ; iu doing so they lay the foundation for future knowledge, refinement, and sociability, and, if we use these gifts rightly, afford us the means of instructing, aiding, and amusing others. The art of reading is the first that has ever been taught, in either ancient or modern schools, and its importance is impressed upon our minds as soon as they are capable of sustaining an idea, and, when once acquired, is the stepping-stone to greater things. Like all other branches of education it must have a beginning. First, we gain a knowledge of letters, then of words, and afterwards the construction of sentences ; thus the memory becomes strengthened, and that wonderful piece of machinery, “the Mind,” put into working order, and set in motion to work out ihe destiny of the possessor. When this essential art is once acquired, it becomes the duty of all those who have the guidance and instruction of youth to cultivate a taste for it—not merely in an educational sense, but for the purpose of forming the mind and manners, and fitting them for the “tug of war” in the battle of life. Knowledge of every kind is either acquired from observation, or through the medium of books ; therefore, parents and teachers cannot be too careful in keeping from children such books as would be liable to engender false notions of the world in which they will one day have to take a part; There are many who, through an injudicious course of reading, form opinions of the world which can only end in disappointment, and which may embitter their whole life, when a little care on this point—a little interest evinced by the wise and experienced—might prevent the evil and insure good. There are, no doubt, many minds capable of deriving benefits from the most objectionable kind of literature ; but in such minds there must exist an intuitive knowledge and appreciation of the good, and powers of penetration that will enable them to detect the evil—not always an easy matter —for, in some of the most popular works of the present day, it is presented to us in such a form, that we may stand on the edge of the precipice without being the least aware of our danger. It is far better not to run the risk, or young readers may find themselves plunged into a vortex of sentiments and opinions unwholesome and hurtful, and their minds gradually and imperceptibly filled with doubts which in time will utterly destroy their better nature ; even if this sort of teaching bring about no worse results, it will disturb the pure currency of their thoughts, and render them unfit to fulfil the duties of their respective stations in life. With tastes property directed, and suitable books, reading is one or the chief pleasures of our benighted existence ; and one that is accessible to all classes, as cheap edi ions of all the best works can now, without difficulty, be obtained by those whose limited incomes prevent them from indulging in the luxury of a library. Reading is, to a great extent, also a duty, for, while we wilfully leave our ideas and abilities in a state of stagnation, we are neglecting those talents for which we shall one day have to account. To look at it from another point of view it is also one of the necessaries of life ; the mind naturally requires some relaxation after the anxieties of business or the cares of a household, as the case may be, are over ; and in small country-towns where there is so little rational amusement, and so few opportunities of exercising and improving our intellectual faculties, and profitably spending the leisure hour, this inexhaustable resource cannot be too highly prized, and those who undervalue it desere unlimited pity. Can We picture a more pitiful object than a gentleman, having no taste for reading, who is confined to the house for any length of time through slight indisposition or any other cause. He is a nuisance tp himself and every one about him:; when if in hisVparly gays, a taste for reading had been culti vated.and properly directed, he might have to, such ' minor discomforts. Not that I mean to assert that a taste for reading should be cultivated merely to kill time. Our practical-minded writer, “Brooks,” says—“ He that hath a good book in his hand, and not a lesson, of it in his heart or life, is like an ass. that carrieth a rich , burden and feeds upon thistles.” The thing is to apply what we, read, and to read only what: we can safely apply. In doing this we not only amuse ourselves for the time being,, but we lay , up for ourselves treasures for a rich old age, and secure for ourselves the friendship and esteem of all around us.

I earnestly advise all those who wish to become useful and agreeable members, of society,., and; to, keep, pace with the times, to. taste, for'reading; and next to this—for Who can be insensible to, its moralisinginflueaice, leaving unquestioned the intense us. A large family who have been.drought.up, - as it were, in a circle of-harmony, are.'alndjat, ’sure to be respectable and united, the girls gentle,

and womanly, and the boys not “billiard players ” —this hateful bane of morality amongst the young men of New Zealand, I don’t believe any man who has been brought up among music can ever become totally lost to what is due to himself; go where he will he is almost certain to hear the songs and melodies of :his youth, and he is at once carried back to “ home,” its pure joys snd loving inmates, and such memories will soften his nature, and help to keep him in the right path. There is many a rough weather-beaten looking man to whom one would never give credit for possessing an atom of sentiment or feeling, will silently brush away a tear as the notes of some well-remembered song steals on his ear; you might hear him say, “ Ah ! ray poor sister Mary used to sing that ” What a life’s-history is contained in this one simple remark. If we could see into his heart, \ye should find there lots of good thoughts and feelings, that all the good example and preaching in toe world would not so effectually have aroused as this one little song. Music seems to draw us irresistibly together —old and young are alike under its influence—we even hear of animals who cannot resist its power. I would not trust anyone over';a pin’s head who said they did not like music ; I'would as soon hear them express a hatred for flowers. Those whose ears and hearts are closed to music, you will also find with pockets determinately closed to charity, and their doors to suffering humanity. Music acta upon the heart like words upon the understanding, while it expands, invigorates, and exalts our natures, it gently and pleasantly helps us along the railroad of life Ask any lady who has had two or three years experience in keeping servants, if a musical servant won’t get througu the work twice as quick as one who Uas no music in her. See how much quieter those children are who have musical nurses, and they acquire a knowledge of music when they grow up far more readily than children who have always been jolted into silence and sleep in one of those detestable perambnlators Give me a girl who can “whistle,” if she cannot use her voice in a more musical manner —even this is a guarantee for goodnature —the best at all events one can have, unless by experience. I always feel inclined to burst out on this theme when I hear parents grumbling about the expense of giving their children a musical education ; let them think for one moment of all the good that may come of it, and picture themselves lulled off to sleep in the easy chair of an evening taking their “ forty winks,” while some sweet young voice is warbling forth “ Home, Sweet Homewell may they be pardoned for “dreaming they were in a better land.” 1 have heard people—very good people—object to music as being a snare—a temptation to wed us to the pleasures of the world. I don’t quite see the force of this ; the most innocent of all innocent pleasures are wrong when carried to excess and abused. I would like to stifle their objections by rushing off to some wild woodh, and planting them down in the very midst of nature’s minstrels, put this simple question to them:—“Would God give these lively little coloured warblers such voices if He never meant that they should use them?” No ! Music is a divine gift; and while we remember the giver and use it to His glory, it is a happy and harmless amusement. Then fill your homes with harmony, and your book-shelves with good, sound, interesting works, and you can afford to pity those who cannot and will not do likewise, and perhaps you may be able to help those who know how to value these priceless treasures, “ READING AND MUSIC.” Q. Blenheim, September 4th, 1868.