Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Editorial
March 28, 1771
The Virginia Gazette
Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
Editorial advises female readers to limit romance novels, which corrupt imagination, modesty, and heart, leading to errors; promotes solid books for moral strength instead of total prohibition.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
We have inserted the following, for the Perusal of our female Readers.
THE reading of Romances is pernicious. I would have but very little Use made of them. They falsify the Understanding; because, being never founded upon Truth, and only on Illusions, they warm the Imagination, weaken the Modesty, disorder the Heart, and, if the young Readers are of delicate Feelings, hasten their Disposition, and precipitate them headlong into Errors. I would, however, not suppress them totally. All Prohibitions lay a Restraint on Liberty, and only augment the Desire; but one ought, as much as possible, to read solid Books, which adorn the Mind, and give Vigour to the Heart. Those, which leave behind them unruly Impressions, and are difficult to be erased, may only be read by People who fancy Happiness can consist in the Pursuit of Vice.
THE reading of Romances is pernicious. I would have but very little Use made of them. They falsify the Understanding; because, being never founded upon Truth, and only on Illusions, they warm the Imagination, weaken the Modesty, disorder the Heart, and, if the young Readers are of delicate Feelings, hasten their Disposition, and precipitate them headlong into Errors. I would, however, not suppress them totally. All Prohibitions lay a Restraint on Liberty, and only augment the Desire; but one ought, as much as possible, to read solid Books, which adorn the Mind, and give Vigour to the Heart. Those, which leave behind them unruly Impressions, and are difficult to be erased, may only be read by People who fancy Happiness can consist in the Pursuit of Vice.
What sub-type of article is it?
Moral Or Religious
What keywords are associated?
Romances
Reading
Female Readers
Morality
Vice
Modesty
Imagination
Solid Books
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Dangers Of Reading Romances
Stance / Tone
Cautionary Against Romances, Advocating Solid Books
Key Arguments
Reading Romances Is Pernicious
Romances Falsify The Understanding
They Warm The Imagination And Weaken Modesty
They Disorder The Heart And Precipitate Errors In Delicate Youth
Do Not Suppress Romances Totally As Prohibitions Increase Desire
Prefer Solid Books That Adorn The Mind And Give Vigor To The Heart
Romances Leave Unruly Impressions Suited Only For Those Pursuing Vice