READING FOR THE BOYS.

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 342, 18 June 1894, Page 2

READING FOR THE BOYS.

TO THE KDITDIt OF TIIU STAII. Sir. With a view to ventilating this subject, and securing the establishment of a iirnt-rato circulating library for youngsters under tho most favourable auspices, I would ask you to kindly afford space for its discussion. The only questions so far presenting themselves are •whether it will give better results under the mauagement of the public library committee or that of the public school teachers. I have already been met with theso objections to the proposal : — l, Fiction is good for neither old nor young ; 2, Sabbath school libraries provide suitable reading for the young ; 8, Sectarian difficulties will en sue. I can ouly reply : — 1, George Macdonald, Walter "Besant, and such as these have more influence for good than any literature extant, excepting the Bible. If we do not provide sound reading for the lads they will read rubbish. Few people have any idea of the cart loads of " blood aud thunder " sold to bo 3's at the local booksellers. Or, let any man look back to his young days of insatiable reading, when all " novels " were said by the old folks to be deadly poison, and he will remember how he planted even his dearly-loved Robinson Crusoe within the mattrass of his cot because it had yellow covers ; 2, Sabbath school libraries reach only the smaller lads and such as attend ; just as some of our best institutions produce their good effect mainly on those who least need it ; '6, Healthy literature is above the insignificant distinction of creed. I will be glad of sympathy in the object in the form of money, books, or suggestions. I am, Sec., Jas. H. Stevens. Feildiug, 18th June, 1894.