BOOKS WANTED.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XI, Issue 674, 23 April 1859, Page 5

BOOKS WANTED.

To the Editor of the { Lyttelton Times.

Sir, —The long dark evenings are drawing on, and I would gladly be instructed how" lonely beings like myself are to dispose of ourselves and pass tlie j time away throughout the winter. Public amuse- ' ments there are none to be had. It is true that I and such I am might gOjto the>public-house to pass our evenings, snatch glasses or nobblers of spirits from the barman as if we considered the fire-water to be nectar and ourselves banquetting in Elysium. But it won't do—people.spend the money they work hard for in these places, get the head-ache, and occasionally delirium tremens, and walkinto a river, or the sea, or flounder into a swamp, or in some other miserable manner put an end to their own existence. Now, I have no predilection whatever for this sort of amusement or its consequences. But somebody will tell me I might read ? Well— but where am I to get the books, worth the reading? Possibly I might (but even that is doubtful from what I see in the province) get some of the blue, green, or orange covered books cooked up for light readers (I think that's the phrase) arid kill the time with them; but I can kill the time by sleeping or.playing with the cat, and for aught I know with just as much advantage to myself mentally or morally as I could derive from reading these book 3 —and the money saved into the bargain; Now,: Mr. Editor, I believe that there are other, persons feeling the same on this subject, and therefore don't you twit and pooh-pooh it. You yourself perhaps being no fellow-sufferer cannot feel with as,, but you yet may let your readers hear of us. If; you don't feel with me, hear me. Books worth the reading are scarcely to be had in Christchurch—l speak not of whatmay be in private hands. Could not this evil be remedied? I think it might. I know that there is a library of books somewhere connected with the college or the clergy. : There is also, I understand, an agricultural library about to be founded by the members of the Farmers' Club. Theology is a good thing enough, so also is agriculture, but we don't always understand either theology oragriculture, and.those who do would pi'bbably wish for some information on other things besides; nor, although necessary to the clergy and the farmers, are they exactly the studies that alone will satisfy the wants of British Islanders and their descendants. We want to know how the world in general progresses—how the land we spring from holds her place in the present mighty race of nations —how art advances, . and what are-the discoveries which science is adding to the world's knowledge, that we may think how to turn these advances and discoveries to our own advantage. We want to know what advances ethical knowledge is making, and how far the creature man has progresssed on the road to true civilization. We want to hear of the statistical progress of our own and of other peoples, and how their physical condition is affected, whether for better or worse, as time and things pass on., This is.-to us, requiring, as we do, the services of good men from other lands to whom -we can offer good homes, a matter of infinite importance. We surely also would not be left altogether behind in the knowledge and enjoyment of writings exhibiting to our view the wise and.the beautiful, whether proceeding from the moralist, the orator, the expounder of God's wonderful works, or the true poet in verse or prose; and as men here have hitherto had neither the means nor the opportunity of forming libraries for themselves, we do require a certain amount of standard literature and also of books for reference on general subjects. I speak, I believe, of not one atom more than is requisite and ought to be obtained if it can. We come from a noble stock. In eloquence, in arts, in sciences, in poetr-y, in their knowledge of man. and how his happiness, comfort and; liberty, individual and public, may be best promoted^ our race stands equal with the first, or is taken, all together, the very first of nations. Is it not then our duty to keep alive that knowledge which we brought here Avith us, and to do our best that our children may enjoy an equal advance with: the children of our brethren at home or in the colonies? This can only be achieved by keeping up our stock of knowledge and giving them the means of fully furnishing themselves. It is sheer nonsense and fatuity to suppose that wisdom, virtue, and social happiness can be attained without the requisite means being used for the purpose.

My prologue has been long. I will now shortly suggest means by which I believe that the adults of the city and province may be emabled to keep up the stock of knowledge which they have acquired, and the youth be furnished with the opportunity of gaining valuable nay indispensable, instruction, and such as is not to be had in schools, but is in fact a continuation of scholastic education.

I would propose the establishment of a book clnb or reading association upon a rather extensive basis: its object being first to provide a few books of reference, which cannot be expected to be in any but a very few persons' hands. Such books, for instance, as lire's Dictionary of Arts—l think that is the proper title—also original works of bulk and character, .including, perhaps some of the voluminous historians, as Gibbon or Allison, not forgetting Blackstone, some parts of whose commentaries are really amusing reading. This is a department that would require much thought; so as to get enough without spending too much. Next, I should suggest the continual adding of hew books of interest, considered to be really original either in matter or elucidation. A limited outlay annually would soon make a respectable library. Here tlie advice of a really independent literary man in England would be highly desirable. Many of the booksellers are excellent judges, or those who they employ; but,booksellers have an interest in their own publications. •There is.one other department, certainly of equal importance to the adult population of readers'with either of those named, and that is a regular supply of periodicals—not restricted to one party or class in any way whatever. To men busily employed in the'-world's business these works furnish a ready means of obtaining information upon such parts of general knowledge as they are more particularly acquainted witli. They also—if not read in the narrow spirit of partizanship —shew, usually with much lucidity;' the progress that is making in whatever may be interesting general society at the time. The leading periodicals of each party on all questions should be taken; at all events not the one side only: men to decide with satisfaction to themselves must hear both: it i 3 from our opponents that we frequently derive the greatest advantages either in the rubs of life or the rubs of authorship, '

Let us not be alarmed at- the price which the books would cost. They could be furnished here, if the business was properly conducted, at the published price in England. But they should—such as require it—be strongly bound there—not gaudily. I have seen a great deal of-money-thrown away on such trumpery matter within the four seas of New Zealand. •

All the details of a scheme of this sort would be best arranged by a committee appointed for the purpose. I will however beg leave to suggest some points which have occurred to me.—-A room to be opened in Christchurch for the receiving of the books—the books of reference to remain there, being only taken home to the houses ofthe subscribers by special' leave granted by the managing committee. The room would of course be a'reading room for their use only, and of strangers or friends of subscribers (not residents) for a limited time. The reading books, if I may so name the second class specified above, to be allowed to circulate among: all" the subscribers for times named by the said committee. The periodicals to continue in the reading room for a certain time after receiving them and then to circulate among all the subscribers according to a routine to be laid down and strictly adhered to. The success of - the institution would much depend on this very point—strictness in causing the books to, be returnedto the reading '. room or passed onwards—and no mitigation of fines allowed on any account.: To make a start at the first would be perhaps the most difficult thing. For this a public meeting must be called, a few public spirited men with some influence having first sanctioned the matter. Such public meeting would possibly in the first place think it rightafter passing resolutions sanctioning arid adopting the formation of such institution, to, appoint a committee to make preliminary arrangements, draw up rules, &c, and, agree-to a small subscription for the few but necessary expenses.! Got on this far I think there would be but little fear for the success of.the measure. With good hopes I leave it, ;'"'"'' And am yours, &c, - ■'■ ■' A.NEW'CHUM. April 18, 1859.