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Literary
January 6, 1884
Mohave County Miner
Mineral Park, Mohave County, Arizona
What is this article about?
George D. Prentice's prose reflection warns young, friendless men in a city of evening loneliness and temptations, advising them to turn to books and reading for companionship, wisdom, and solace, likening it to medieval exorcism with book and candle.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
George D. Prentice once wrote:
"To a young man away from home, friendless and forlorn in a great city, the hours of peril are those between sunset and bedtime; for the moon and the stars see more evil in a single hour than the sun in his whole day's circuit. The poet's visions of evening are all composed of tender and soothing images. It brings the wanderer to his home, the child to his mother's arms, the ox to his stall and the weary laborer to his rest. But to the gentle-hearted youth who is thrown upon the rocks of a pitiless city, and stands homeless amid a thousand homes, the approach of evening brings with it an aching sense of loneliness and desolation which comes down upon the spirit like darkness upon the earth. In this mood his best impulse becomes a snare to him, and he is led astray because he is social, affectionate, sympathetic and warm hearted. If there be a young man thus circumstanced within the sound of my voice let me say to him that books are the friend of the friendless, and that a library is a home to the homeless. A taste for reading will always carry you to converse with men who will influence you with their wisdom and charm you by their wit, who will soothe you when weary, counsel you when perplexed and sympathize with you at all times. Evil spirits in the middle age were exorcised and driven away by bell, book and candle and you want but two of these agents the book and the candle."
"To a young man away from home, friendless and forlorn in a great city, the hours of peril are those between sunset and bedtime; for the moon and the stars see more evil in a single hour than the sun in his whole day's circuit. The poet's visions of evening are all composed of tender and soothing images. It brings the wanderer to his home, the child to his mother's arms, the ox to his stall and the weary laborer to his rest. But to the gentle-hearted youth who is thrown upon the rocks of a pitiless city, and stands homeless amid a thousand homes, the approach of evening brings with it an aching sense of loneliness and desolation which comes down upon the spirit like darkness upon the earth. In this mood his best impulse becomes a snare to him, and he is led astray because he is social, affectionate, sympathetic and warm hearted. If there be a young man thus circumstanced within the sound of my voice let me say to him that books are the friend of the friendless, and that a library is a home to the homeless. A taste for reading will always carry you to converse with men who will influence you with their wisdom and charm you by their wit, who will soothe you when weary, counsel you when perplexed and sympathize with you at all times. Evil spirits in the middle age were exorcised and driven away by bell, book and candle and you want but two of these agents the book and the candle."
What sub-type of article is it?
Essay
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Friendship
What keywords are associated?
Loneliness
Youth
City Life
Reading
Books
Moral Advice
Friendship
What entities or persons were involved?
George D. Prentice
Literary Details
Author
George D. Prentice
Subject
Advice To Friendless Youth In The City On Loneliness And The Solace Of Reading
Key Lines
To A Young Man Away From Home, Friendless And Forlorn In A Great City, The Hours Of Peril Are Those Between Sunset And Bedtime; For The Moon And The Stars See More Evil In A Single Hour Than The Sun In His Whole Day's Circuit.
Books Are The Friend Of The Friendless, And That A Library Is A Home To The Homeless.
A Taste For Reading Will Always Carry You To Converse With Men Who Will Influence You With Their Wisdom And Charm You By Their Wit, Who Will Soothe You When Weary, Counsel You When Perplexed And Sympathize With You At All Times.
Evil Spirits In The Middle Age Were Exorcised And Driven Away By Bell, Book And Candle And You Want But Two Of These Agents The Book And The Candle.