ON READING.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1162, 24 June 1911, Page 11

ON READING.

There is no question so often asked, and none tb which a really satisfactory answer can bo given, as "I know you are a great reader, do tell me of something to read."

So writes a writer in "The Queen." Ihe answer is, of course, painfully obvious—'What sort of books do you caro for rnost?"-and to this the inevitable good novel" is often the selected favourite.

Still, "there are very many women who far prefer something more solid, and tho delightful works of Lady Dilke, Miss Sichel, Christopher- Hare, and Martin Humo have very many readers. -When, however, one thinks of tho great field of of ten. unexplored and yet easily readable works, it seems to me a pity that those readers- who, "gathering roses whilst they may," instead of employing- their leisure in reading a book, first about this person and then about the other, cannot be persuaded of the real delight of reading up a period of history—whether it is the French Revolution, the history of the Papacy (for those who are not afraid of a truly long task), the history of tho Renaissance, the combined three reigns of Ilenry VIII, Francis I of France, and Charles V—these lost a.fascinating study—the history of the Medici (I only mention a few). These are not all heavy reading. Some novels 'even give interesting glimpses of the time, whilst endless biographies esist, one more enthralling than the last. Mv pleading for reading on these lines is that, wherever the reader turns his steps, new and enchanting vistas of the past lie open to him, whether in England or abroad. History is no longer the dry bones reminiscent of the schoolroom, but the world is full of places wbere great men did great things, .mean things, unworthy things, but things which will live for all time, because they were tho mainsprings from which things often of great moment were evolved. • The great thing in reading is to read well and wiseiy. Lot it; not be thought I ?m scorning novel reading; far from it.

.'; Two Becoming Styles of Hair- . dressing,.one suitable for a matron, the other for a young girl. ■ padour," so thoy do' not impose too much on tho beginner's fortitude, whilst keepiug up a real interest. 'In conclusion, I would only urge this course of reading on those not only, with a real lovo of history, but often those who are lovers of architecture and the arts.as woll, for with historyione. is ever turning a corner, vjiich leads to somo new and unsuspected delight, of noble deeds, noble art, and often noble lives; and if soma deeds are base, and cruelties revolt our souls, at least we trace how out of darkness cometh light.