The Dunstan Times. FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 1868.

Dunstan Times, Issue 307, 13 March 1868, Page 2

The Dunstan Times.

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 1868.

Beneath the Rule of Men entirely just, the pen is mightier than the sword.

In our last issue we published a letter from a correspondent, in which the writer asks the very natural question —" What has become of the money subscribed some time since as the nucleus of a Public Library at Clyde ?" We must confess that we have many times held similar thoughts with our correspondent, and wondered at the apathy displayed by the people of C yde in the establishing of such a genuine and profitable source of intellectual amusement as a public library. Nothing is so badly wanted by the townspeople here as some rational means of passing away their spare time, and what would pro v e more mutually advantageous to young and old than a ready access to a judiciously assorted collection of books. Most of the other goldfields townships possess their public library, and it is really a matter of surprise to us that a township like Clyde, which has always been foremost in promoting objects of charity and public utility, and whose-inhabitants have seemingly never tired of giving, have not provided themselves with a library, especially when the fact is so generally understood that a paternal Government will not only supply them with books at a trifle above English cost price, but will actually subsidise their efforts by giving books to double the value of subscriptions raised. Such inducements to self improvement are not to be found in any other country under the sun, and where it only requires an effort to be made on the part of those desirous to be benefitted to be successful in securing such important social advantages, it seems a great pity that such effort should not be made. Every person who spends an evening at Clyde fully realises the difficulty of passing his time in a rational manner. There is positively no choice

except retiring to rest-or an adjournment to an'hotel. In his legitimate ■sphere the hotelkeeper is doubtless a necessary member- of society, but we must'aim at'something higher than a constant recourse to the good offices of that individual for amusement during 'the hours of relaxation from the cares and toils of business, and we are sure that the advent of a public -libraiy and reading room would be hailed by every right-thinking man as a real blessing. It must also be borne in mind that we owe certain duties to those who are to come after us. There are a considerable number of young people resident here, who will soon be merging into manhood, and we are morally bound to place them in the position of becoming thinking men and women, and, as far as possible, ensure their becoming worthy members of society. Prom a public library will spring many advantages, quite unnecessary to particularise here, and too well known to need comment. We must confess ourselves decidedly of opinion that, while the establishment of public libraries is possible elsewhere, there should be no difficulty in establishing one at Clyde.