《03-reading》

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for a Lyceum in the winter is better spent than any other equal sum

raised in the town。  If we live in the Nineteenth Century; why

should we not enjoy the advantages which the Nineteenth Century

offers?  Why should our life be in any respect provincial?  If we

will read newspapers; why not skip the gossip of Boston and take the

best newspaper in the world at once?  not be sucking the pap of

〃neutral family〃 papers; or browsing 〃Olive Branches〃 here in New

England。  Let the reports of all the learned societies come to us;

and we will see if they know anything。  Why should we leave it to

Harper & Brothers and Redding & Co。 to select our reading?  As the

nobleman of cultivated taste surrounds himself with whatever

conduces to his culture  genius  learning  wit  books 

paintings  statuary  music  philosophical instruments; and the

like; so let the village do  not stop short at a pedagogue; a

parson; a sexton; a parish library; and three selectmen; because our

Pilgrim forefathers got through a cold winter once on a bleak rock

with these。  To act collectively is according to the spirit of our

institutions; and I am confident that; as our circumstances are more

flourishing; our means are greater than the nobleman's。  New England

can hire all the wise men in the world to come and teach her; and

board them round the while; and not be provincial at all。  That is

the uncommon school we want。  Instead of noblemen; let us have noble

villages of men。  If it is necessary; omit one bridge over the

river; go round a little there; and throw one arch at least over the

darker gulf of ignorance which surrounds us。




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