,,! ,,novel ,,& ,,! ,,common ,,s*ool    
,by ,*>les ,dudley ,w>n]  ,!re has be5 a
 great improvem5t 9 ! physical condition
 ( ! p ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates )9 two         
g5]ations4 ,?is is m noticeable 9 ! ,we/
 ?an 9 ! ,ea/1 b x is m>k$ ev]y:]e2 & ! 
=eign travel] :o once detect$ a race    
det]ioration1 :i* he attribut$ to a dry 
& /imulat+ atmosph]e & to a fev]i%      
anxiety1 :i* 0 evid5t 9 all classes1 = a
 rapid *ange ( condition1 f9ds v little 
n[ to su/a9 8 !ory4 ,al?\gh ! re/less   
en]gy cont9ues1 ! mix$ race 9 ,am]ica   
has c]ta9ly *ang$ physically = ! bett]4 
,speak+ g5]ally1 ! cont\rs ( face & =m  
are m r\nd$4 ,! *ange is mo/ m>k$ 9     
regions once not$ = leanness1 angul>ity1
 & sall[ness ( complexion1 b ?r\gh\t !  
c\ntry ! types ( physical manhood are m 
num]\s2 & if wom5 ( r>e & exceptional   
beauty are n m num]\s1 no d\bt ! av]age 
( comel9ess & beauty has be5 rais$4 ,?us
 f>1 ! increase ( beauty due to bett]   
developm5t has n be5 at ! exp5se (      
delicacy ( complexion & ( l9e1 z x has  

be5 9 "s ,european c\ntries4 ,physical  
well-be+ is almo/ entirely a matt] (    
nutrition4 ,some?+ is due 9 our case to 
! accumulation ( money1 to ! decrease 9 
an increas+ numb] ( our population ( !  
daily anxiety ab\t food & clo!s1 to m   
leisure2 b abundant & bett]-prep>$ food 
is ! direct ag5cy 9 our physical *ange4 
,good food is n only m abundant & m     
widely di/ribut$ ?an x 0 two g5]ations  
ago1 b x is to be _h 9 immeasurably     
great] v>iety4 ,no o!r p exi/+1 or t ev]
 did exi/1 c\ld comm& su* a v>iety (    
edible products = daily consumption z ! 
mass ( ! ,am]ican p habitually use      
today4 ,9 consequ5ce !y h ! opportunity 
( be+ bett] n\ri%$ ?an any o!r p ev] 74 
,if !y are n bett] n\ri%$1 x is because 
_! food is badly prep>$4 ,:5ev] we f9d1 
ei!r 9 ,new ,engl& or 9 ! ,s\?1 a       
community ill-favor$1 dyspeptic1 lean1 &
 fad$ 9 complexion1 we may be p]fectly  
sure t its cook+ is bad1 & t x is too   
ignorant ( ! laws ( heal? to procure t  
v>iety ( food :i* is s easily obta9able4

 ,p :o /ill diet on sodd5 pie & !       
products ( ! fry+-pan ( ! pione]1 & !n1 
9 ord] to promote dige/ion1 attempt to  
imitate ! pati5t c[ by ma/icat+ "s      
ela/ic & fragrant gum1 are do+ v little 
to br+ 9 t univ]sal physical heal? or   
beauty :i* is ! natural h]itage ( our   
opportunity4  ,n[1 :at is ! relation (  
our intellectual developm5t to ?is      
physical improvem5t8 ,x w be said t !   
g5]al intellig5ce is rais$1 t ! habit ( 
read+ is mu* m widespread1 & t !        
increase ( books1 p]iodicals1 &         
newspap]s %[s a great] m5tal activity   
?an exi/$ =m]ly4 ,x w also be said t !  
opportunity = education 0 nev] be=e s   
ne>ly univ]sal4 ,if x is n yet true     
ev]y:]e t all *ildr5 mu/ g to s*ool1 x  
is true t all may g to s*ool free ( co/4
 ,)\t d\bt1 also1 great advance has be5 
made 9 ,am]ican s*ol>%ip1 9 specializ$  
le>n+ & inve/igation2 t is to say1 !    
proportion ( s*ol>s ( ! fir/ rank 9     
lit]ature & 9 sci5ce is mu* l>g] to !   
population ?an a g5]ation ago4  ,b :at  

is ! relation ( our g5]al intellectual  
life to popul> education8 ,or1 9 o!r    
words1 :at effect is popul> education   
hav+ ^u ! g5]al intellectual habit &    
ta/e8 ,!re are two ways ( te/+ ?is4 ,"o 
is by obs]v+ :e!r ! mass ( m9ds is bett]
 tra9$ & discipl9$ ?an =m]ly1 less      
liable to delusions1 bett] able to      
detect fallacies1 m logical1 & less     
likely to be l$ away by novelties 9     
speculation1 or by !ories t are         
unsupport$ by hi/oric evid5ce or t are  
contradict$ by a k ( human nature4 ,if  
we 7 tempt$ to pursue ?is te/1 we %\ld  
be =c$ to note ! seem+ anomaly ( a      
sci5tific age peculi>ly cr$ul\s2 ! ease 
) :i* any *>latan f9ds foll[]s2 ! common
 read9ess to fall 9 ) any !ory (        
progress :i* appeals to ! sympa?ies1 &  
to accept ! wilde/ notions ( social     
reorganization4 ,we %\ld be oblig$ to   
note also1 among sci5tific m5 !mselves1 
a disposition to come to conclusions on 
inadequate evid5ce--a disposition       
usually due to "o-sid$ education :i*    

lacks metaphysical tra9+ & ! philosophic
 habit4 ,multitudes ( fairly intellig5t 
p are afloat )\t any base-l9e ( ?\ght to
 :i* !y c ref] new sugge/ions2 j z _m   
politicians are fl\nd]+ ab\t = want ( an
 appreh5sion ( ! ,con/itution ( ! ,unit$
 ,/ates & ( ! hi/oric developm5t (      
society4 ,an hone/ acceptance ( ! law ( 
gravitation w\ld bani% _m popul>        
delusions2 a compreh5sion t some?+ _c be
 made out ( no?+ w\ld dispose ( o!rs2 & 
! application ( ! ord9>y pr9ciples (    
evid5ce1 su* z m5 require to e/abli% a  
title to prop]ty1 w\ld end mo/ ( !      
rema9+4 ,h[ f> is our popul> education1 
:i* we h n[ enjoy$ = two full g5]ations1
 responsible = ?is /ate ( m9d8 ,if x has
 n enc\rag$ x1 has x done mu* to correct
 x8  ,! o!r te/ ( popul> education is 9 
! k9d ( read+ s\ght & enjoy$ by !       
majority ( ! ,am]ican p4 ,z ! great] "p 
( ?is read+ is admitt$ to be fiction1 we
 h be=e u ! relation ( ! novel to !     
common s*ool4 ,z ! common s*ool is our  
univ]sal me?od ( education1 & ! novels  

mo/ 9 dem& are ^? lea/ wor?y to be read1
 we may consid] ?is subject 9 two       
aspects3 ! enc\ragem5t1 by neglect or by
 tea*+1 ( ! ta/e t dem&s ?is k9d (      
fiction1 & ! t5d5cy ( ! novel to become 
:at ?is ta/e dem&s4  ,be=e consid]+ !   
common s*ool1 h[ev]1 we h to notice a   
ph5om5on 9 lett]s--namely1 ! evolution (
 ! mod]n newspap] z a vehicle = g5]al   
read+-matt]4 ,n cont5t ) giv+ ! news1 or
 ev5 ) creat+ news & increas+ its       
s5sational "*1 x grasps at ! wid] field 
( supply+ read+ mat]ial = ! million1    
usurp+ ! place ( books & to a l>ge ext5t
 ( p]iodicals4 ,! effect ( ?is new      
dep>ture 9 j\rnalism is beg9n+ to       
attract att5tion4 ,an increas+ numb] ( p
 read no?+ except ! newspap]s4          
,consequ5tly1 !y get little except      
scraps & bits2 no subject is consid]$   
?or\ghly or exhau/ively2 & !y are       
furni%$ ) n mu* m ?an ! small *ange =   
sup]ficial conv]sation4 ,! habit (      
excessive newspap] read+1 9 :i* a great 
v>iety ( topics is inadequately treat$1 

has a curi\s effect on ! m9d4 ,x becomes
 demoraliz$1 gradually loses ! p[] (    
conc5tration or ( cont9u\s ?\ght1 & ev5 
loses ! incl9ation to read ! long       
articles :i* ! newspap] pr9ts4 ,! eye   
cat*es a ?\s& ?+s1 b is deta9$ by no "o4
 ,v>iety1 :i* 9 limitations is :olesome 
9 lit]>y z well z 9 physical diet1      
creates dyspepsia :5 x is excessive1 &  
:5 ! lit]>y vi&s are badly cook$ & badly
 s]v$ ! evil is increas$4 ,! m9d loses !
 p[] ( discrim9ation1 ! ta/e is l[]$1 & 
! appetite becomes diseas$4 ,! effect ( 
?is scrappy1 desultory read+ is bad     
en\gh :5 ! ha%$ comp\nd select$ is      
tol]ably good4 ,x becomes a v s]i\s     
matt] :5 ! read+ itself is vapid1       
frivol\s1 or bad4 ,! responsibility (   
select+ ! m5tal food = millions ( p is  
s]i\s4 ,:51 9 ! la/ c5tury1 9 ,engl&1 ! 
,society = ! ,diffusion ( ,useful       
,in=mation1 :i* accompli%$ s mu* good1 0
 organiz$1 ?is responsibility 0 felt1 & 
compet5t h&s prep>$ ! popul> books &    
pamphlets t 7 *eap 9 price & widely     

diffus$4 ,n[1 x happ5s t a hundr$ ?\s&  
p1 p]haps a million 9 "s cases1 surr5d] 
! "r ( ! all-important selection ( !    
food = _! m9ds to "s unkn[n &           
irresponsible p]son ^: bus9ess x is to  
*oose ! miscellane\s read+-matt] = a    
p>ticul> newspap]4 ,8 or h] ta/e may be 
good1 or x may be immature & vici\s2 x  
may be us$ simply to create a s5sation2 
& yet ! million ( read]s get no?+ except
 :at ?is "o p]son *ooses !y %all read4  
,x is an a/oni%+ abdication ( individual
 pref]5ce4 ,day aft] day1 ,sunday aft]  
,sunday1 !y read only :at ?is unkn[n    
p]son selects = !m4 ,in/ead ( go+ to !  
libr>y & cultivat+ _! own ta/es1 &      
pursu+ "s subject t w increase _! m5tal 
vigor & add to _! p]man5t /ock ( ?\ght1 
!y fritt] away _! "t ^u a ha% (         
lit]ature *opp$ up = !m by a p]son      
possibly v unfit ev5 to make good ha%4  
,! m]e /atem5t ( ?is surr5d] ( "o's     
judgm5t ( :at %all be 8 intellectual    
life is al>m+4  ,b ! mod]n newspap] is  
no d\bt a natural evolution 9 our social

 life4 ,z ev]y?+ has a cause1 x w\ld be 
wor? :ile to inquire :e!r ! encyclopa$ic
 newspap] is 9 response to a dem&1 to a 
ta/e creat$ by our common s*ools4 ,or1  
to put ! "q 9 ano!r =m1 does ! sy/em (  
education 9 our common s*ools give !    
pupils a ta/e = good lit]ature or mu*   
p[] ( discrim9ation8 ,d !y come out (   
s*ool ) ! habit ( cont9u\s read+1 (     
read+ books1 or only ( pick+ up scraps 9
 ! newspap]s1 z !y might snat* a ha/y   
meal at a lun*-c\nt]8 ,:at1 9 %ort1 d ! 
s*ools contribute to ! creation ( a ta/e
 = good lit]ature8  ,great anxiety is   
felt 9 _m qu>t]s ab\t ! mod]n novel4 ,x 
is fe>$ t x w n be reali/ic en\gh1 t x w
 be too reali/ic1 t x w be ins9c]e z to 
! common aspects ( life1 t x w n        
suffici5tly idealize life to keep itself
 )9 ! limits ( true art4 ,b :ile !      
critics are busy say+ :at ! novel %\ld  
be1 & attack+ or def5d+ ! fiction ( !   
previ\s age1 ! novel obeys pretty well !
 laws ( its era1 & 9 _m ways1 especially
 9 ! v>iety ( its developm5t1 repres5ts 

! "t4 ,reg>d$ simply z a "w ( art1 x may
 be said t ! novel %\ld be an expression
 ( ! g5ius ( its writ] consci5ti\sly    
appli$ to a /udy ( ! facts ( life & (   
human nature1 ) little ref]5ce to !     
audi5ce4 ,p]haps ! great works ( art t h
 endur$ h be5 s compos$4 ,we may say1 = 
example1 t ,don ,quixote _h to create   
its sympa!tic audi5ce4 ,b1 on ! o!r h&1 
works ( art wor?y ! "n are sometimes    
produc$ to suit a dem& & to please a    
ta/e already creat$4 ,a great deal ( :at
 passes = lit]ature 9 ^! days is 9 ?is  
category ( supply to suit ! dem&1 &     
p]haps x c be said ( ?is g5]ation m     
fitly ?an ( any o!r t ! novel seeks to  
hit ! popul> ta/e2 hav+ become a means (
 livelihood1 x mu/ sell 9 ord] to be    
pr(itable to ! produc]1 & 9 ord] to sell
 x mu/ be :at ! read+ public want4 ,!   
dem& & sale are widely tak5 z ! crit]ion
 ( excell5ce1 or !y are at lea/         
suffici5t enc\ragem5t ( fur!r "w on !   
l9e ( ! success4 ,?is crit]ion is       
accept$ by ! publi%]1 ^: bus9ess x is to

 supply a dem&4 ,! consci5ti\s publi%]  
asks two que/ions3 ,is ! book good8 & ,w
 x sell8 ,! publi%] )\t a consci5ce asks
 only "o "q3 ,w ! book sell8 ,! reflex  
influ5ce ( ?is ^u au?ors is imm$iately  
felt4  ,! novel1 m$iocre1 banal1 m]ely  
s5sational1 & wor?less = any purpose (  
intellectual /imulus or elevation ( !   
ideal1 is ?us enc\rag$ 9 ?is age z x    
nev] 0 be=e4 ,! mak+ ( novels has become
 a process ( manufacture4 ,usually1 aft]
 ! fa%ion ( ! silk-weav]s ( ,lyons1 !y  
are made = ! c5tral e/abli%m5t on       
individual looms at home2 b if dem& = ! 
sort ( goods furni%$ at pres5t cont9ues1
 !re is no reason :y !y %\ld n be       
produc$1 ev5 m *eaply ?an !y are n[1 9  
great factories1 :]e !re c be division (
 labor & economy ( tal5t4 ,! %oal (     
,engli% novels consci5ti\sly review$ e  
sev5? day 9 ! ,london weeklies w\ld     
pres]ve _! pres5t "* & ga9 9 firmness ( 
texture if !y 7 made by ma*9]y4 ,"o has 
only to m>k :at sort ( novels rea* !    
l>ge/ sale & are mo/ call$ = 9 !        

circulat+ libr>ies1 to gauge pretty     
accurately ! public ta/e1 & to measure !
 influ5ce ( ?is ta/e ^u mod]n           
production4 ,) ! exception ( ! novel n[ 
& !n :i* t\*es "s religi\s problem or "s
 sociali/ic speculation or uneas9ess1 or
 is a special freak ( s5sationalism1 !  
novels :i* suit ! greate/ numb] ( read]s
 are ^? :i* move 9 a plane ( absolute   
m$iocrity1 & h ! slighte/ claim to be   
consid]$ works ( art4 ,!y repres5t !    
*romo /age ( developm5t4  ,!y mu/ be    
*eap4 ,! almo/ univ]sal habit ( read+ is
 a m>k ( ?is age--n[h]e else s          
conspicu\s z 9 ,am]ica2 & consid]+ !    
tra9+ ( ?is comp>atively new read+      
public1 x is natural t x %\ld insi/ ^u  
*eapness ( mat]ial1 & t x %\ld require  
quality less ?an quantity4 ,x is a note 
( our g5]al intellectual developm5t t   
*eapness 9 lit]ature is almo/ z mu*     
insi/$ on by ! ri* z by ! poor4 ,! ta/e 
= a good book has n kept pace ) ! ta/e =
 a good d9n]1 & multitudes :o h         
comm5dable judgm5t ab\t ! table w\ld ?9k

 x a piece ( extravagance to pay z mu* =
 a book z = a d9n]1 & w\ld be a%am$ to  
smoke a cig> t co/ less ?an a novel4    
,inde$1 we seem to be z yet f> away f ! 
appreciation ( ! tru? t :at we put into 
! m9d is z important to our well-be+ z  
:at we put into ! /oma*4  ,no d\bt !re  
are m p capable ( appreciat+ a good     
book1 & !re are m good books read1 9 ?is
 age1 ?an 9 any previ\s1 ?\gh ! ratio ( 
good judges to ! numb] :o read is less2 
b we are consid]+ ! va/ mass ( ! read+  
public & its ta/es4 ,i say its ta/es1 & 
probably ?is is n unfair1 al?\gh ?is    
travel+1 re/less1 read+ public meekly   
takes1 z 9 ! case ( ! read+ select$ 9 ! 
newspap]s1 :at is mo/ p]si/5tly ?ru/ ^u 
its att5tion by ! great news ag5cies1   
:i* f9d x mo/ pr(itable to deal 9 t :i* 
is *eap & ephem]al4 ,! h\ses :i* publi% 
books ( m]it are at a disadvantage ) !  
di/ribut+ ag5cies4  ,criticism :i*      
condemns ! common-s*ool sy/em z a nurse 
( sup]ficiality1 m$iocrity1 & conceit   
does n ne$ s]i\s att5tion1 any m ?an    

does ! criticism t ! univ]sal           
opportunity ( individual welf>e (f]$ by 
a republic fails to make a p]fect       
gov]nm5t4 ,b ?is is n say+ t ! common   
s*ool does all t x c d1 & t its results 
answ] to ! !ories ab\t x4 ,x mu/ be     
p>tly due to ! want ( prop] tra9+ 9 !   
public s*ools t !re are s few read]s (  
discrim9ation1 & t ! g5]al ta/e1 judg$  
by ! sort ( books n[ read1 is s m$iocre4
 ,mo/ ( ! public s*ools tea* read+1 or h
 taught x1 s poorly t ! s*ol>s :o come f
 !m _c read easily2 h5ce !y mu/ h spice1
 & blood1 & vice to /imulate !m1 j z a  
man :o has lo/ ta/e pepp]s 8 food4 ,we  
ne$ n agree ) ^? :o say t !re is no m]it
 :atev] 9 ! m]e ability to read2 nor1 on
 ! o!r h&1 c we jo9 ^? :o say t ! art ( 
read+ w pretty surely enc\rage a ta/e = 
! nobl] k9d ( read+1 & t ! habit ( read+
 tra% w by-&-by lead ! read] to bett]   
?+s4 ,z a matt] ( exp]i5ce1 ! read] ( ! 
namby-pamby does n acquire an appetite =
 any?+ m virile1 & ! read] ( !          
s5sational requires con/antly m highly  

flavor$ vi&s4 ,nor is x reasonable to   
expect good ta/e to be recov]$ by an    
indulg5ce 9 bad ta/e4  ,:at1 !n1 does ! 
common s*ool usually d = lit]>y ta/e8   
,g5]ally !re is no ?\ght ab\t x4 ,x is n
 9 ! m9ds ( ! majority ( tea*]s1 ev5 if 
!y possess x !mselves4 ,! bus9ess is to 
tea* ! pupils to read2 h[ !y %all use ! 
art ( read+ is little consid]$4 ,if we  
exam9e ! read+-books f ! l[e/ grade to !
 highe/1 we %all f9d t _! object is to  
tea* words1 n lit]ature4 ,! l[]-grade   
books are commonly inane 7,i w n say    
*ildi%1 = t is a libel on ! op5 m9ds (  
*ildr57 beyond description4 ,!re is an  
impression t advanc$ read]s h improv$   
mu* 9 quality )9 a few ye>s1 & d\btless 
"s ( !m d conta9 specim5s ( bett]       
lit]ature ?an _! pr$ecessors4 ,b !y are 
on ! old plan1 :i* mu/ be radically     
modifi$ or entirely ca/ aside1 &        
d\btless w be :5 ! new me?od is         
compreh5d$1 & tea*]s are well en\gh     
furni%$ to cut loose f ! ma*9e4 ,we may 
say t to le>n h[ to read1 & n :at to    

read1 is confess$ly ! object ( ^! books2
 b ev5 ?is object is n atta9$4 ,!re is  
an endeavor to tea* h[ to call ! words (
 a read+-book1 b n to tea* h[ to read2 =
 read+ involves1 c]ta9ly = ! old]       
s*ol>s1 ! comb9ation ( kn[n words to =m 
new ideas4 ,?is is lack+4 ,! ta/e = good
 lit]ature is n develop$2 ! habit (     
cont9u\s pursuit ( a subject1 )         
compreh5sion ( its relations1 is n      
acquir$2 & no conception is ga9$ ( !    
entirety ( lit]ature or its importance  
to human life4 ,consequ5tly1 !re is no  
p[] ( judgm5t or faculty (              
discrim9ation4  ,n[1 ?is radical defect 
c be easily rem$i$ if ! s*ool au?orities
 only cle>ly appreh5d "o tru?1 & t is t 
! m9ds ( *ildr5 ( t5d] age c be z       
readily int]e/$ & p]man5tly int]e/$ 9   
good lit]ature z 9 ! dre>y feebl5ess ( !
 juv5ile read]4 ,! m9d ( ! ord9>y *ild  
%\ld n be judg$ by ! m9d t produces /uff
 ( ?is sort3 ,little ,jimmy _h a little 
:ite pig4 ,did ! little pig "k ,jimmy8  
,yes1 ! little pig knew ,jimmy1 & w\ld  

come :5 he call$4 ,h[ did little ,jimmy 
"k 8 pig f ! o!r little pigs8 ,by ! twi/
 9 8 tail4 7,*ildr51 asks ! tea*]1 :at  
is ! mean+ ( 'twi/'87 ,jimmy lik$ to    
/ride ! little pig's back4 ,w\ld !      
little pig let him8 ,yes1 :5 he 0       
absorb$ eat+ 8 d9n]4 7,*ildr51 :at is ! 
mean+ ( 'absorb$'87 ,& s on4  ,?is      
intellectual ex]cise is1 p]haps1 read to
 *ildr5 :o h n got f> en\gh 9 ^w-build+ 
to read !mselves ab\t little ,jimmy & 8 
absorb$ pig4 ,x may be cont9u$1 toge!r )
 ^w-le>n+1 until ! *ildr5 are able to   
say 7is x read+87 ! entire volume ( ?is 
preci\s /uff4 ,to :at end8 ,! *ildr5 are
 only languidly int]e/$2 _! m9ds are n  
awak5$2 ! imag9ation is n appeal$ to2 !y
 h le>n$ no?+1 except probably "s new   
words1 :i* are le>n$ z signs4 ,(t5      
*ildr5 h only "o book ev5 ( ?is sort1 at
 :i* !y are kept until !y le>n x ?r\gh  
by he>t1 & !y h be5 he>d to read x ) !  
book bottom side up or %ut6 ,all ^!     
books cultivate inatt5tion &            
intellectual vacancy4 ,!y are--! be/ (  

!m--only read+ ex]cises2 & read+ is n   
p]ceiv$ to h any sort ( value4 ,! *ild  
is n taught to ?9k1 & n a /ep is tak5 9 
in=m+ him ( 8 relation to ! _w ab\t him4
 ,8 education is n begun4  ,n[ x happ5s 
t *ildr5 g on ) ?is sort ( read+ & !    
ord9>y text-books ?r\gh ! grades ( !    
di/rict s*ool into ! high s*ool1 & come 
to ! ages ( sev5te5 & eighte5 )\t ! lea/
 conception ( lit]ature1 or ( art1 or ( 
! cont9uity ( ! relations ( hi/ory2 are 
ignorant ( ! great names :i* illum9ate !
 ages2 h nev] he>d ( ,socrates1 or (    
,phidias1 or ( ,titian2 d n "k :e!r     
,frankl9 0 an ,engli%man or an ,am]ican2
 w\ld be puzzl$ to say :e!r x 0 ,b5     
,frankl9 or ,b5 ,jonson :o inv5t$       
lightn+--?9k x 0 ,b5 ,somebody2 _c tell 
:e!r !y liv$ be=e or aft] ,*ri/1 & inde$
 nev] h ?\ght t any?+ happ5$ be=e ! "t (
 ,*ri/2 d n "k :o 0 on ! ?rone ( ,spa9  
:5 ,columbus discov]$ ,am]ica--& s on4  
,^! are n imag9$ in/ances4 ,! *ildr5    
ref]r$ to are 9 good circum/ances & h _h
 fairly intellig5t associations1 b _!   

education has be5 intru/$ to ! s*ools4  
,!y "k no?+ except _! text-books1 & !y  
"k ^! simply = ! purpose ( exam9ation4  
,su* pupils come to ! age ( eighte5 ) n 
only no ta/e = ! be/ read+1 = ! read+ ( 
books1 b )\t ! ability to be int]e/$ ev5
 9 fiction ( ! fir/ class1 because x is 
full ( allusions t convey no?+ to _!    
m9ds4 ,! /ories !y read1 if !y read at  
all--! novels1 s call$1 t !y h be5      
br\ght up on--are ! dilut$ & feeble     
fictions t flood ! c\ntry1 & t sc>cely  
rise above ! intellectual level ( ,jimmy
 & ! absorb$ pig4  ,x has be5 demon/rat$
 by exp]im5t t x is z easy to beg9 )    
good lit]ature z ) ! sort ( read+       
describ$4 ,x makes little diff]5ce :]e !
 beg9n+ is made4 ,any good book1 any    
real book1 is an op5 door into ! wide   
field ( lit]ature2 t is to say1 (       
hi/ory--t is to say1 ( int]e/ 9 ! entire
 human race4 ,read to *ildr5 ( t5d]     
ye>s1 ! same day1 ! /ory ( ,jimmy & a   
,greek my?1 or an episode f ! ,odyssey1 
or any g5u9e bit ( human nature & life2 

& ask ! *ildr5 next day :i* !y wi% to   
he> aga94 ,almo/ all ( !m w call = !    
repetition ( ! real ?+1 ! v]ity ( :i* !y
 recognize1 & :i* has appeal$ to _!     
imag9ations4 ,b ?is is n all4 ,if !     
subject is a ,greek my?1 !y spe$ily come
 to compreh5d its mean+1 & by ! aid ( ! 
tea*] to trace its developm5t else:]e1  
to und]/& its hi/oric significance1 to h
 ! m9d fill$ ) images ( beauty1 & wond]4
 ,is x ! ,hom]ic /ory ( ,nausicaa8 ,:at 
a picture6 ,h[ spe$ily ,greek hi/ory    
op5s to ! m9d6 ,h[ readily ! *ildr5     
acquire k ( ! great hi/oric names1 & see
 h[ _! de$s & _! ?\ghts are relat$ to   
our de$s & our ?\ghts6 ,x is z easy to  
"k ab\t ,socrates z ab\t ,frankl9 &     
,g5]al ,grant4 ,hav+ ! m9d op5 to o!r   
times & to ! significance ( great m5 9  
hi/ory1 h[ mu* m cle>ly !y compreh5d    
,frankl9 & ,grant & ,l9coln6 ,nor is ?is
 all4 ,! "y m9d is op5 to noble ?\ghts1 
to high conceptions2 x foll[s by        
association easily along ! hi/oric &    
lit]>y l9e2 & n only d great names & f9e

 pieces ( lit]ature become famili>1 b ! 
mean+ ( ! cont9ual life 9 ! _w beg9s to 
be appreh5d$4 ,?is is n at all a fancy  
sket*4 ,! writ] has se5 ! :ole assembly 
( pupils 9 a s*ool ( six hundr$1 ( all !
 eight grades1 intellig5tly int]e/$ 9 a 
talk :i* conta9$ classical & lit]>y     
allusions t w\ld h be5 incompreh5sible  
to an ord9>y s*ool br\ght up on ! ord9>y
 read]s & text-books4  ,b ! read+ ne$ n 
be conf9$ to ! classics nor to !        
ma/]-pieces ( lit]ature4 ,natural       
hi/ory--g5]ally ! mo/ fasc9at+ (        
subjects--c be taught2 int]e/ 9 fl[]s & 
trees & birds & ! habits ( animals c be 
awak5$ by read+ ! essays ( lit]>y m5 on 
^! topics z !y nev] c be by ! dry       
text-books4 ,! po9t ,i wi% to make is t 
real lit]ature = ! "y1 lit]ature :i* is 
almo/ absolutely neglect$ 9 ! public    
s*ools1 except 9 a scrappy way z a read+
 ex]cise1 is ! be/ op5 door to !        
developm5t ( ! m9d & to k ( all sorts4  
,! unfold+ ( a ,greek my? leads directly
 to art1 to love ( beauty1 to k (       

hi/ory1 to an und]/&+ ( ourselves4 ,b   
:atev] ! beg9n+ is1 :e!r a classic my?1 
a ,hom]ic epic1 a play ( ,sophocles1 !  
/ory ( ! life & dea? ( ,socrates1 a     
m$iaeval leg5d1 or any g5u9e piece (    
lit]ature f ! "t ( ,virgil d[n to our   
own1 x may n s mu* matt] 7except t x is 
bett] to beg9 ) ! anci5ts 9 ord] to ga9 
a prop] p]spective7 :atev] ! beg9n+ is1 
x %\ld be ! be/ lit]ature4 ,! be/ is n  
too good = ! y\nge/ *ild4 ,simplicity1  
:i* commonly *>act]izes greatness1 is ( 
c\rse ess5tial4 ,b nev] 0 a great]      
mi/ake made ?an 9 ?9k+ t a y\?ful m9d   
ne$s wat]+ ) ! slops ord9>ily f$ to x4  
,ev5 *ildr5 9 ! k9d]g>t5 are eag] =     
,:itti]'s ,b>efoot ,boy & ,longfell['s  
,hiawa?a4 ,x requires1 ,i repeat1 little
 m pa9s to create a good ta/e 9 read+   
?an a bad ta/e4  ,x w\ld seem t 9 !     
complete organization ( ! public s*ools 
all education ( ! pupil is turn$ ov] to 
!m z x 0 n =m]ly1 & x is possible t 9 ! 
/ress ( text-book education !re is no "t
 = read+ at home4 ,! compet5t tea*]s    

cont5d n m]ely ) ! difficulty ( ! lack (
 books & ! defici5cies ( ^? 9 use1 b ) !
 m s]i\s difficulty ( ! errone\s ideas (
 ! function ( text-books4 ,!y w cease to
 be a comm]cial commodity ( s mu* value 
z n[ :5 tea*]s tea*4 ,if x is true t !re
 is no "t = read+ at home1 we c acc\nt =
 ! deplorable lack ( ta/e 9 ! great mass
 ( ! read+ public educat$ at ! common   
s*ools2 & we c see exactly :at ! rem$y  
%\ld be--namely1 ! tea*+ ( ! lit]ature  
at ! beg9n+ ( s*ool life1 & foll[+ x up 
broadly & intellig5tly dur+ ! :ole s*ool
 p]iod4 ,x w n cr[d out any?+ else1     
because x und]lies ev]y?+4 ,aft] _m ye>s
 ( p]v]sion & neglect1 to take up ! /udy
 ( lit]ature 9 a compreh5sive text-book1
 z if x 7 to be le>n$--l ari?metic1 is a
 ludicr\s proce$+4 ,?is1 is n tea*+     
lit]ature nor giv+ ! s*ol> a love ( good
 read+4 ,x is m]ely /uff+ ! m9d ) names 
& dates1 :i* are n se5 to h any relation
 to pres5t life1 & :i* spe$ily fade out 
( ! m9d4 ,! love ( lit]ature is n to be 
atta9$ 9 ?is way1 nor 9 any way except  

by read+ ! be/ lit]ature4  ,! notion t  
lit]ature c be tak5 up z a bran* (      
education1 & le>n$ at ! prop] "t & :5   
/udies p]mit1 is "o ( ! mo/ f>cical 9   
our s*eme ( education4 ,x is only mat*$ 
9 absurdity by ! o!r curr5t idea1 t     
lit]ature is some?+ sep>ate & ap>t f    
g5]al k4 ,"h is ! :ole body ( accumulat$
 ?\ght & exp]i5ce ( all ! ages1 :i*     
inde$ =ms our pres5t life & expla9s x1  
exi/+ p>tly 9 tradition & tra9+1 b m    
l>gely 9 books2 & mo/ tea*]s ?9k1 & mo/ 
pupils are l$ to believe1 t ?is mo/     
important =m] ( ! m9d1 mak] ( "*1 &     
guide to action c be acquir$ 9 a c]ta9  
numb] ( lessons out ( a textbook6       
,because ?is is s1 "y m5 & "y wom5 come 
up to college almo/ absolutely ignorant 
( ! hi/ory ( _! race & ( ! ideas t h    
made our civilization4 ,"s ( !m h nev]  
read a book1 except ! text-books on !   
specialties 9 :i* !y h prep>$ !mselves =
 exam9ation4 ,we h a say+ conc]n+ p ^:  
m9ds appe> to be made up ( dry1 isolat$ 
facts1 t !y h no atmosph]e4 ,well1      

lit]ature is ! atmosph]e4 ,9 x we live1 
& move1 & h our be+1 intellectually4 ,! 
fir/ lesson read to1 or read by1 ! *ild 
%\ld beg9 to put him 9 relation ) ! _w &
 ! ?\ght ( ! _w4 ,?is _c be done except 
by ! liv+ tea*]4 ,no text-book1 no "o   
read+-book or s]ies ( read+-books1 w d  
x4 ,if ! tea*] is only ! text-book      
orally deliv]$1 ! tea*] is an un9spir$  
ma*9e4 ,we mu/ revise our notions ( !   
function ( ! tea*] = ! beg9n]s4 ,! tea*]
 is to pres5t evid5ce ( tru?1 beauty1   
art4 ,:]e w he or %e f9d x8 ,:y1 9      
exp]im5tal sci5ce1 if y please1 9       
hi/ory1 b1 9 %ort1 9 good lit]ature1 us+
 ! ^w 9 its broade/ s5se4 ,! object 9   
select+ read+ = *ildr5 is to make x     
impossible = !m to see any evid5ce      
except ! be/4 ,t is ! tea*]'s bus9ess1 &
 h[ few und]/& _! bus9ess6 ,h[ few are  
educat$6 ,9 ! be/ lit]ature we f9d tru? 
ab\t ! _w1 ab\t human nature2 & h5ce1 if
 *ildr5 read t1 !y read :at _! exp]i5ce 
w v]ify4 ,i am told t publi%]s are      
l>gely at fault = ! quality ( ! read+   

us$ 9 s*ools--t s*ools w\ld gladly      
receive ! good lit]ature if !y c\ld get 
x4 ,b ,i d n "k1 9 ?is case1 h[ mu* !   
dem& has to d ) ! supply4 ,i am c]ta91  
h[ev]1 t educat$ tea*]s w\ld use only ! 
be/ means = =m+ ! m9ds & enlight5+ !    
und]/&+ ( _! pupils4 ,x mu/ be kept 9   
m9d t read+1 sil5t read+ done by !      
s*ol>1 is n le>n+ signs & call+ words2 x
 is gett+ ?\ght4 ,if *ildr5 are to get  
?\ght1 !y %\ld be s]v$ ) ! be/--t :i* w 
n only be true1 b appeal s naturally to 
_! m9ds t !y w pref] x to all mean]     
/uff4 ,if x is true t *ildr5 _c acquire 
?is ta/e at home--& x is true = ! va/   
majority ( ,am]ican *ildr5--!n x mu/ be 
giv5 9 ! public s*ools4 ,to give x is n 
to int]rupt ! acquisition ( o!r k2 x is 
lit]ally to op5 ! door to all k4  ,:5   
?is tru? is recogniz$ 9 ! common s*ools1
 & lit]ature is giv5 its prop] place1 n 
only = ! developm5t ( ! m9d1 b z ! mo/  
easily-op5$ door to hi/ory1 art1 sci5ce1
 g5]al intellig5ce1 we %all see ! ta/e (
 ! read+ public 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates und]go

 a mighty *ange3 ,x w n c>e = ! fiction 
x likes at pres5t1 & :i* does little m  
?an enfeeble its p[]s2 & !n !re c be no 
d\bt t fiction w rise to supply ! dem& =
 some?+ bett]4 ,:5 ! tra% does n sell1 !
 tra% w n be produc$1 & ^? :o are only  
capable ( supply+ ! pres5t dem& w p]haps
 f9d a m useful occupation4 ,x w be aga9
 evid5t t lit]ature is n a trade1 b an  
art requir+ peculi> p[]s & pati5t tra9+4
 ,:5 p "k h[ to read1 au?ors w ne$ to "k
 h[ to write4  ,9 all o!r pursuits we   
c>efully /udy ! relation ( supply to    
dem&4 ,:y n 9 lit]ature8 ,=m]ly1 :5     
read]s 7 comp>atively few1 & 7 ( a class
 t _h leisure & ! opportunity (         
cultivat+ ! ta/e1 books 7 g5]ally writt5
 = ?is class1 & aim$ at its real or     
suppos$ capacities4 ,if ! age 0 co>se 9 
spee* or specially affect$ 9 mann]1 !   
books foll[$ ! lead giv5 by ! dem&2 b1  
co>se or affect$1 !y _h ! quality ( art 
dem&$ by ! be/ exi/+ cultivation4       
,naturally1 :5 ! art ( read+ is acquir$ 
by ! great mass ( ! p1 ^: ta/e has n be5

 cultivat$1 ! supply = ?is increas$ dem&
 w1 m or less1 foll[ ! level ( its      
intellig5ce4 ,aft] our civil w> !re 0 a 
patriotic desire to commemorate ! h]oic 
sacrifices ( our soldi]s 9 monum5ts1 & !
 de$s ( our great capta9s 9 /atues4 ,?is
 noble desire 0 n usually accompani$ by 
arti/ic discrim9ation1 & ! l& is fill$ )
 monum5ts & /atues :i* express !        
gratitude ( ! p4 ,! com+ age may wi% to 
replace !m by images & /ructures :i* w  
express gratitude & patriotism 9 a high]
 because m arti/ic =m4 ,9 ! matt] ( art 
! developm5t is di/9ctly reflex4 ,!     
exhibition ( works ( g5ius w sl[ly      
in/ruct & elevate ! popul> ta/e1 & 9 "t 
! cultivat$ popul> ta/e w reject        
m$iocrity & dem& bett] ?+s4 ,only a     
little :ile ago few p 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates 
knew h[ to draw1 & only a few c\ld tell 
good draw+ f bad4 ,to realize ! *ange t 
has tak5 place1 we h only to recall !   
illu/rations 9 books1 magaz9es1 & comic 
newspap]s ( less ?an a qu>t] ( a c5tury 
ago4 ,=eign travel1 =eign /udy1 & !     

importation ( works ( art 7/ill bl9dly  
re/rict$ by ! ,am]ican ,congress7 7 !   
lessons t began to "w a *ange4 ,n[1 9   
all our l>ge t[ns1 & ev5 9 hundr$s (    
villages1 !re are well-e/abli%$ art     
s*ools2 9 ! great] cities1 unions &     
associations1 "u ! guidance ( skillful  
arti/s1 :]e five or six hundr$ "y m5 &  
wom5 are dilig5tly1 day & night1 le>n+ !
 rudim5ts ( art4 ,! result is already   
app>5t4 ,excell5t draw+ is se5 9        
illu/rations = books & magaz9es1 9 !    
satirical & comic publications1 ev5 9 ! 
adv]tisem5ts & !atrical po/]s4 ,at our  
pres5t rate ( progress1 ! draw+s 9 all  
our amus+ weeklies w soon be z good z ^?
 9 ! ',flieg5de ,blatt]4' ,! *ange is   
m>vel\s2 & ! popul> ta/e has s improv$ t
 x w\ld n be pr(itable to g back to !   
ill-drawn illu/rations ( tw5ty ye>s ago4
 ,b z to fiction1 ev5 if ! writ]s ( x 7 
all tra9$ 9 x z an art1 x is n s easy to
 lift ! public ta/e to _! arti/ic level4
 ,! be/ supply 9 ?is case w only v sl[ly
 affect ! quality ( ! dem&4 ,:5 ! poor  

novel sells va/ly bett] ?an ! good      
novel1 ! poor w be produc$ to supply !  
dem&1 ! g5]al ta/e w be /ill fur!r l[]$1
 & ! p[] ( discrim9ation fade out m & m4
 ,:at is true ( ! novel is true ( all   
o!r lit]ature4 ,ta/e = x mu/ be         
cultivat$ 9 *ildhood4 ,! common s*ools  
mu/ d = lit]ature :at ! art s*ools are  
do+ = art4 ,n e "o c become an arti/1 n 
e "o c become a writ]--?\gh ?is is      
contr>y to g5]al op9ion2 b k to di/+ui% 
good draw+ f bad c be acquir$ by mo/ p1 
& !re are probably few m9ds t _c1 by "r 
me?ods appli$ e>ly1 be l$ to pref] good 
lit]ature1 & to h an enjoym5t 9 x 9     
proportion to its s9c]ity1 naturalness1 
v]ity1 & tru? to life4  ,x is1 p]haps1  
too mu* to say t all ! ,am]ican novel   
ne$s = its developm5t is an audi5ce1 b x
 is safe to say t an audi5ce w\ld       
greatly assi/ x4 ,evid5ce is on all     
sides ( a fre%1 new1 wond]ful arti/ic   
developm5t 9 ,am]ica 9 draw+1 pa9t+1    
sculpture1 9 in/rum5tal music & s++1 & 9
 lit]ature4 ,! promise ( ?is is n only 9

 ! climate1 ! free republican           
opportunity1 ! mix$ races bl5d+ !       
traditions & aptitudes ( s _m           
civilizations1 b x is 9 a c]ta9         
temp]am5t :i* we already recognize z    
,am]ican4 ,x is an arti/ic t5d5cy4 ,?is 
0 fir/ mo/ noticeable 9 ,am]ican wom51  
to :om ! art ( dress seem$ to come by   
nature1 & ! art ( be+ agreeable to be   
easily acquir$4  ,already writ]s h aris5
 :o illu/rate ?is arti/ic t5d5cy 9      
novels1 & especially 9 %ort /ories4 ,!y 
h n appe>$ to owe _! orig9 to any       
special lit]>y c5tre2 !y h come =w>d 9 !
 ,s\?1 ! ,we/1 ! ,ea/4 ,_! writ+s h to a
 great degree 7consid]+ our pupilage to 
! lit]ature ( ,great ,brita91 :i* is    
prolong$ by ! lack ( an int]national    
copyright7 ! /amp ( orig9ality1 (       
naturalness1 ( s9c]ity1 ( an attempt to 
give ! facts ( life ) a s5se ( _!       
arti/ic value4 ,_! affiliation is r ) ! 
new lit]atures ( ,france1 ( ,russia1 (  
,spa91 ?an ) ! mod]n fiction ( ,engl&4  
,!y h to compete 9 ! m>ket ) !          

uncopyright$ lit]ature ( all o!r l&s1   
good & bad1 especially bad1 :i* is sold 
= little m ?an ! co/ ( ! pap] x is pr9t$
 on1 & badly pr9t$ at t4 ,b besides ?is 
fact1 & ow+ to a public ta/e n cultivat$
 or n correct$ 9 ! public s*ools1 _!    
books d n sell 9 any?+ l ! quantity t ! 
inf]ior1 m$iocre1 o!r home novels sell4 
,inde$1 b = ! int]v5tion ( ! magaz9es1  
few ( ! be/ writ]s ( novels & %ort      
/ories c\ld e>n z mu* z ! day labor]    
e>ns4 ,9 sixty millions ( p1 all ( :om  
are1 or h be51 9 rea* ( ! common s*ool1 
x mu/ be confess$ t _! audi5ce is small4
  ,?is relation betwe5 ! fiction t is1 &
 t :i* is to be1 & ! common s*ool is n  
fanciful4 ,! lack 9 ! g5]al read+       
public1 9 ! novels read by ! great]     
numb] ( p1 & 9 ! common s*ool is !      
same--! lack ( inspiration & ideality4  
,! common s*ool does n cultivate !      
lit]>y s5se1 ! g5]al public lacks lit]>y
 discrim9ation1 & ! /ories & tales ei!r 
produc$ by or address$ to ^? :o h little
 ideality simply respond to ! dem& ( !  

times4  ,x is already evid5t1 bo? 9     
positive & negative results1 bo? 9 !    
s*ools & ! g5]al public ta/e1 t         
lit]ature _c be set aside 9 ! s*eme (   
education2 nay1 t x is ( ! fir/         
importance4 ,! tea*] mu/ be able to     
inspire ! pupil2 n only to awak5        
eag]ness to "k1 b to k9dle ! imag9ation4
 ,! value ( ! ,h9doo or ! ,greek my?1 ( 
! ,roman /ory1 ( ! m$iaeval leg5d1 ( !  
h]oic epic1 ( ! lyric poem1 ( ! classic 
biography1 ( any g5u9e piece (          
lit]ature1 anci5t or mod]n1 is n 9 ! k (
 x z we may "k ! rules ( gramm> &       
ari?metic or ! =mulas ( a sci5ce1 b 9 ! 
enl>gem5t ( ! m9d to a conception ( !   
life & developm5t ( ! race1 to a /udy ( 
! motives ( human action1 to a          
compreh5sion ( hi/ory2 s t ! m9d is n   
simply enri*$1 b becomes discrim9at+1 & 
able to e/imate ! value ( ev5ts &       
op9ions4 ,?is (fice = ! m9d acqua9tance 
) lit]ature c alone p]=m4 ,s t1 9 s*ool1
 lit]ature is n only1 z ,i h said1 !    
easie/ op5 door to all else desirable1 !

 be/ lit]ature is n only ! be/ means (  
awak5+ ! "y m9d1 ! /imulus mo/ cong5ial1
 b x is ! be/ f\ndation = broad & g5]\s 
culture4 ,inde$1 )\t its co-ord9at+     
influ5ce ! education ( ! common s*ool is
 a ?+ ( %r$s & pat*es4 ,besides1 ! m9d  
ar\s$ to hi/oric consci\sness1 k9dl$ 9  
itself by ! be/ t has be5 said & done 9 
all ages1 is m apt 9 ! pursuit1         
intellig5tly1 ( any specialty2 s t !    
%orte/ road to ! practical education s  
mu* insi/$ on 9 ^! days beg9s 9 ! awak5+
 ( ! faculties 9 ! mann] describ$4 ,!re 
is no d\bt ( ! value ( manual tra9+ z an
 aid 9 giv+ def9it5ess1 directness1     
exactness to ! m9d1 b m]e te*nical tra9+
 alone w be b>r5 ( ^? results1 9 g5]al  
discrim9at+ culture1 :i* we hope to see 
9 ,am]ica4  ,! common s*ool is a ma*9e (
 incalculable value4 ,x is n1 h[ev]1    
automatic4 ,if x is a m]e ma*9e1 x w d  
little m to lift ! nation ?an ! m]e     
ability to read w lift x4 ,x c easily be
 made to inculcate a ta/e = good        
lit]ature2 x c be a p[]ful influ5ce 9   

tea*+ ! ,am]ican p :at to read2 & ^u a  
broad5$1 elevat$1 discrim9at+ public    
ta/e dep5ds ! fate ( ,am]ican art1 (    
,am]ican fiction4  ,x is n an           
inappropriate coroll>y to be drawn f ?is
 t an elevat$ public ta/e w br+ ab\t a  
tru] e/imate ( ! value ( a g5u9e lit]>y 
product4 ,an inv5tion :i* increases or  
*eap5s ! conv5i5ces or com=ts ( life may
 be a =tune to its orig9ator4 ,a book   
:i* amuses1 or consoles1 or inspires2   
:i* contributes to ! highe/ intellectual
 enjoym5t ( hundr$s ( ?\s&s ( p2 :i*    
furni%es sub/ance = ?\ght or =          
conv]sation2 :i* dispels ! c>es &       
light5s ! burd5s ( life2 :i* is a fri5d 
:5 fri5ds fail1 a companion :5 o!r      
int]c\rse we>ies or is impossible1 = a  
ye>1 = a decade1 = a g5]ation p]haps1 9 
a _w :i* has a prop] s5se ( values1 w   
br+ a l compet5ce to its au?or4 7#ahij47