Connecticut Western News

Something About Books.—'Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness to the flesh.' So said Solomon of old. The immediate occasion of the above remark is not definitely known; but it is fairly presumed by the theological writers that it was called forth upon hearing that the school committee of Jerusalem had introduced a new set of books into their public schools. This of course was a serious matter to Solomon, for if his offspring were proportioned to the number of his wives and concubines, his booksellers' bill must have been a large item of his expense account. If such were the language of the wisest of men, under conditions that probably didn't occur frequently in those golden times, it is not surprising that the foolish mortals of this 19th century should swear quite audibly at being obliged to purchase new school books for their progeny every six months merely to gratify the whim of some school visitor who hasn't any 'young ideas' to be taught to shoot and never expects to have, and to fill the pockets of our booksellers. I am not personally interested, Mr. Editor, for my children are well provided with all the books they'll need for some time to come; but there is a large number in each school district that are vitally interested, who can ill afford each term to buy new books for their numerous children.

This introducing of new books is nothing but a mere speculative scheme to fill the pockets of some one at the expense of the public. A 'drummer' for some publishing house perambulates the country, calls upon our school visitor, easily convinces him of the excellency of his book, (especially if he is in a situation to sell the same,) next calls upon some theological college professor for his opinion as to the subject matter, and pays him—$25 for his favorable opinion. This isn't a bribe of course, (well ministers are only mortals after all; we have one or two now in our state prison, and they're not there as chaplains either,) and so the bargain is struck and the book is introduced. The district has no voice in it, knows nothing about it. And right here let me say concerning our present books, just introduced, that in the opinion of good judges they are miserably poor in typography and no better than the old ones in subject matter.

This has become a crying evil, and cries aloud for a remedy. In an educational point of view, this constant change of books is a great detriment to the young scholar, and it certainly is a great burden and hardship to the poorer portion of the community.

ALIQUIS.