titles which, in our own or in recent times, have reached some distinction-whether permanent or not, time must tell. These lists have not aimed at what could be called completeness. They are believed, however, to represent by far the largest part of the great survivals from past years, as well as many really notable contributions to contemporary literature. FRANCIS W. HALSEY. NEW YORK, January 13, 1912. THE HIGHWAYS OF LITERATURE, CHAPTER I. BOOKS IN GENERAL. IN treating of the reading of books, we will not refer to all kinds of books. We will limit our remarks to what are called literary works, or works that are expected to be characterized by art and taste in composition. Guided by that definition, we will include books relating to mental philosophy, history, biography, poetry, fiction, and descriptions of men and scenery; and we will omit treatises concerning scientific subjects, particular callings and trades, and theological doctrines and sentiments. Every intelligent person in the present day is impressed with the great advantages to be derived from reading. We need not, therefore, waste any time in showing these advantages. But we will try to revive your impression by drawing a contrast between the man of no culture and the man of high cul ture. Look first at the poor unlettered rustic. He has never been taught to think or read. His intellect is still confined in his five senses. It takes in nothing but dull images of the byways along which he plods, the beasts of the field, the forms of his relatives and neighbors, and the slow-paced routine of agricultural life. The distant and the past are to him a complete void. His soul is tied to the present, and to that small spot of the earth's surface on which he moves in his daily rounds. |