PENNY READINGS.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXII, Issue 2669, 18 April 1868, Page 5

PENNY READINGS.

(to the editor op the independent). ) j Sie,— - Among the modern institutions for tho im- j provemenfc and recreation of tho peoplo at large, ' penny readings havo attained an extensive and I well-merited popularity. It is not because a ' scheme of improvement is simple and easy that its working is the less salutary. Tho objection commonly urged against penny readings is that the information gained from them may bo equally well, if not belter, obtained by reading books at homo ; that the reading is, generally speaking, but indifferent ; and so forth. r Shc answer to those objections is that wo must take people as we find them. It is a remarkable fact thnt, notwithstanding the choapness and universality of literature of all kinds, a number of persons do prefer to hear a subject read aloud, even when not read in tho best manner, to reading it in books at their own houses. Many, no doubt, go to hear peni'iy readings, which afford them an opportunity of gaining information which they would othcrwiso not have ; either because they are unable to purchaso books, or beeauso they cannot read. But tho larger proportion, as before observod, are those who can read and can obtain books, but who prefer listening to another's reading. Their motives for this preference may be varied. They* may come to the penny reading room from a dosire of change — from a wish to meet their friends — or some such reason ; and it may bo added that some may come because it is so much less trouble to sit and hear somebody else, who acquaints you with tho contents of a boek without your having to turn over the leaves, than to read yourself. The above is sufficient to show that penny readings arc n useful institution, and that some good is done, even though the readers are deficient in taste and lack a correct onunciation. When so much exists to show tho advantages of penny readings a3 they are at present, what encouragement is ulforded to the philanthropist who reflects upon what they may become. When a reading from "Pickwick," even by one unacquainted with the latest approved rules of pronunciation, and who is by no means particular in emphasising the right syllable, is sufficient to elicit sympathetic laughter, or when- an extract from the works of such pooto as Wordsworth or Scott, read in the saruo manner, can excite the feelings of tho audience in an opposite direction, what excellent material for improvement is afforded by their means. When a phlegmatic or unimaginative reader is able to awaken in some degree a sympathy for the lofty sentiments of Shakespeare, or even to beguile an hour or so with the pleasant humor of Dickens, what might penny readings not become when some regard to dramatic effect, and to tho rules of good enunciation. — in short, when some attention was given to the importance— to uso a hackneyed expression — of " the right man in tho right place," when he reads beforo the public. If the man of light and buoyant wit would confine himself chieQy to his proper department — if the grave and learned man would not attempt readings involving quickness of repartee, droll dialogues, or humorous attitudes — in short, if the reader would consider what he is about to read and his aptitude for it, the advantages accruing from these readings would be increased tenfold. A fact, an idea, or a moral sentiment, whether conveyed in a forcible and appropriate manner or not, of course, to some extent carries its own weight with it ; but when tho sumo fact, or idea, or moral sentiment is clothed in the garb of wit, or borne on tho wings of eloquence, its course is marked by a truer aim, and its influence is moro permanent. While sonio pevsous contend for penny readings being entirely devoted to instruction, and others for their being exclusively amusing, it may bo safely asserted that the mean between theso extremes is the more suitable for their success. Thoy should be both grave and gay. The useful fact, tho moral sentiment, and the light-hearted jest should in turn havo a place. Make penny readings entirely of a grave character, and you shut out the less serious, and the juvenile portion of tho community ; make them solely of a superficial or droll nature, and you deprive them of ono of the most important übcs for which they were established . The positive advantages of penny readings being acknowledged, it is not difficult to recognise their merit in a negative point of view, if, as is often tho case, especially in country districts, the penny reading room is the only resource of instruction or recreation the people possess. If even no worse results accrued in the absence of any moans of instruction, than perpetual marble playing on the part of tho youthful portion of the community, or lounging about on the part of the grown up population, it would be matter for regret ; and if no other argument were wanting to show tho advantages of penny readings than that of giving the mind some rational employment, their necessity and usefulness would in some degree be realised. — I am, &c, Beta.