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Literary
May 15, 1790
Gazette Of The United States
New York, New York County, New York
What is this article about?
An essay in The Tablet (No. CXIV) advises on wise selection of books amid abundant literature, critiquing the idea of reading everything and suggesting scholars recommend key works to avoid wasted time on unworthy texts.
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Full Text
THE TABLET.—No. CXIV.
"If a person knows what to read, and how to read, all his studies will turn to some valuable account."
The writer commends some rules that it would be well to observe in reading. I wish the writer of that letter had extended his observations a little further, and given some directions with respect to the choice of books. His remarks were confined merely to the mode of study, and were very pertinent to the point he meant to establish.
One of the principal difficulties in selecting authors to read, consists in the multiplicity of books that are to be found on all subjects. Many people suppose that no one deserves to be called learned, unless he is acquainted with all the books his native language can furnish. This is too common an opinion. It induces us not only to read many authors which are not entitled to notice, but creates a confusion of ideas. There seems to be no standard to direct a choice of books, after a person is released from the control of education; but there is nevertheless great precaution to be observed in literary pursuits through every period of life.
The learned men of the last century could, with some propriety, undertake to peruse all the books that had then been published. It is however unreasonable to expect that a student of the present day should prescribe himself a similar task. It is not only impracticable but unnecessary. There are now a great variety of writers on the same subject. If they agree in sentiment, there can be no occasion to read them all; and if they disagree it will distract the mind to attend to all their contradictions. It would have a good effect if men, who have established a literary character, would give their sanction to the best publications in the various branches of science, and recommend them to general attention. In like manner, it would not be improper to designate the most approved pieces both moral and entertaining. By this means, the young student might direct his researches, and not so often have reason to repent his loss of time in useless reading.
Many a man closes a book with this remark; all I have learnt is that the book did not deserve to be read.
"If a person knows what to read, and how to read, all his studies will turn to some valuable account."
The writer commends some rules that it would be well to observe in reading. I wish the writer of that letter had extended his observations a little further, and given some directions with respect to the choice of books. His remarks were confined merely to the mode of study, and were very pertinent to the point he meant to establish.
One of the principal difficulties in selecting authors to read, consists in the multiplicity of books that are to be found on all subjects. Many people suppose that no one deserves to be called learned, unless he is acquainted with all the books his native language can furnish. This is too common an opinion. It induces us not only to read many authors which are not entitled to notice, but creates a confusion of ideas. There seems to be no standard to direct a choice of books, after a person is released from the control of education; but there is nevertheless great precaution to be observed in literary pursuits through every period of life.
The learned men of the last century could, with some propriety, undertake to peruse all the books that had then been published. It is however unreasonable to expect that a student of the present day should prescribe himself a similar task. It is not only impracticable but unnecessary. There are now a great variety of writers on the same subject. If they agree in sentiment, there can be no occasion to read them all; and if they disagree it will distract the mind to attend to all their contradictions. It would have a good effect if men, who have established a literary character, would give their sanction to the best publications in the various branches of science, and recommend them to general attention. In like manner, it would not be improper to designate the most approved pieces both moral and entertaining. By this means, the young student might direct his researches, and not so often have reason to repent his loss of time in useless reading.
Many a man closes a book with this remark; all I have learnt is that the book did not deserve to be read.
What sub-type of article is it?
Essay
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Reading
Books
Study
Literary Choice
Education
Learning
Literary Details
Title
The Tablet.—No. Cxiv.
Subject
On The Choice Of Books And Rules For Reading
Key Lines
"If A Person Knows What To Read, And How To Read, All His Studies Will Turn To Some Valuable Account."
Many A Man Closes A Book With This Remark; All I Have Learnt Is That The Book Did Not Deserve To Be Read.