[256] Nasby's "Ekoes from Kentucky" and "Swingin' round the Circle" are full of the keenest political sarcasm. Lincoln was so impressed with Nasby's power, that he said he had rather possess such gifts than be President of the United States. (U. S., 19th cent.)
[257] "Artemus Ward His Book," is funny, but lacks purpose beyond the raising of a laugh. (U. S., 19th cent.)
[258] "Caudle Lectures," "Catspaw," etc. Jerrold is one of the sharpest of wits. (Eng., 19th cent.)
[259] Voltaire was the Ingersoll of France, only more so. His "Dictionnaire" is full of stinging sarcasm and fierce wit. (France, 18th cent.)
"English Bards and Scotch Reviewers." The sharpest edge of Byron's keen mind. (Eng., 1788-1824.)
[260] "Hudibras." A tirade against the Puritans. (Eng., 17th cent.)
"Gulliver's Travels," "Tale of a Tub," etc. Coarse raillery. (Eng., 18th cent.)
[261] "Gargantua and Pantagruel." Immense coarse wit. (France, 16th cent.)
"Tristram Shandy." Not delicate, but full of humor. (Eng., 18th cent.)
[262] Juvenal is one of the world's greatest satirists. (Rome, 1st cent.)
Lucian is the Voltaire of the Old World. In his "Dialogues of the Gods" he covers with ridicule the religious notions of the people. (Greek Lit, 2d cent. a. d.)
FABLES AND FAIRY TALES.
Fables and fairy tales are condensed dramas, and some of them are crystal drops from the fountains of poetic thought. Often they express in picture language the deepest lessons that mankind have learned; and one who wishes to gather to himself the intellectual wealth of the nations must not neglect them. In the section of the book devoted to remarks upon the Guidance of Children, the literature of this subject receives more extended attention. Among the books that will most interest the student of this subject may be mentioned the works of Fiske and Bulfinch, named below, Baldwin's "Story of the Golden Age," Ragozin's "Chaldea," Kingsley's "Greek Heroes," Cox's "Tales of Ancient Greece," Hanson's "Stories of Charlemagne," Church's "Story of the Iliad" and "Story of the Æneid," and the books mentioned in connection with the "Morte D'Arthur," note 323 following:—
[263] "Fairy Tales," "Shoes of Fortune," etc. (Denmark, 19th cent.)
[264] The inimitable French poet of Fable. (France, 17th cent.)
[265] The world-famous Greek fabulist. His popularity in all ages has been unbounded. Socrates amused himself with his stories. (Greece, 6th cent. b. c.)
[266] "Household Tales." (Ger., early 19th cent.)
[267] "Reineke Fox." (Bohn Lib.) (Ger., early 19th cent.)
Kipling's "Indian Tales." (Eng., 19th cent.)
[268] "Age of Fable," "Age of Chivalry," etc. (Eng., 19th cent.)
[269] Fables in his poems. (U. S., 19th cent.)
[270] A French fabulist, next in fame to La Fontaine. (18th cent.)
[271] Greek Fables. (About com. Christ. era.)
[272] "Tales." (Ger., 19th cent.)
[273] "Metamorphoses." An account of the mythology of the ancients. Ovid was one of Rome's greatest poets. (Rome, 1st cent. b. c.)
Curtin's "Myths and Folk-Lore of Ireland," "Myths and Folk-Tales of the Russians," etc. (U. S., 19th cent.)
Fiske's "Myths and Myth Makers." (U. S., 19th cent.)
TRAVEL.
Nothing favors breadth more than travel and contact with those of differing modes of life and variant belief. The tolerance and sympathy that are folding in the world in these modern days owe much to the vast increase of travel that has resulted from growth of commerce, the development of wealth, and the cheapness and rapidity of steam transportation. Even a wider view of the world comes to us through the literature of travel than we could ever gain by personal experience, however much of wealth and time we had at our disposal; and though the vividness is less in each particular picture of the written page than if we saw the full original reality that is painted for us, yet this is more than compensated by the breadth and insight and perception of the meaning of the scenes portrayed, which we can take at once from the writer, to whom perhaps the gaining of what he gives so easily has been a very costly, tedious process, and would be so to us if we had to rely on personal observation. Voyages and travels therefore are of much importance in our studies, and delightful reading too. Stanley's opinions have been much relied on in selecting the following books:—
[274] Voyages. (Eng., 18th cent.)
[275] Cosmos; Travels. (Ger., 1762-1832.)
[276] Naturalist on the Beagle. (Eng., 19th cent.)
[277] Travels. (Venice, 14th cent.)
[278] Arctic Explorations. (U. S., 19th cent.)
[279] South Africa. (Eng., 19th cent.)
[280] Through the Dark Continent; In Darkest Africa. (U. S., 19th cent.)
[281] Travels in Africa. (France, 19th cent.)
[282] On Egypt. (Germany, 19th cent.)
[283] Abyssinia. (Eng., 19th cent.)
[284] India.
[285] Niger.
[286] South America.
[287] Upper Niger.
[288] Persia.
[289] Central Africa.
[290] West Coast of Africa.
[291] Travelled for thirty years, then wrote the marvels he had seen and heard; and his book became very popular in the 14th and 15th centuries. (Eng., 14th cent.)
[292] The Nile.
GUIDES.
In this column of "Guides" are placed books that will be useful in arriving at a fuller knowledge of literature and authors, in determining what to read, and in our own literary efforts.
[293] "What to Read on the Subject of Reading," by William E. Foster, Librarian of the Providence Public Library. Every one who is interested in books should keep an eye on this thorough and enthusiastic worker, and take advantage of the information he lavishes in his bulletins.
[294] The "Pall Mall Extra," containing Sir John Lubbock's "List of the Best Hundred Books," and letters from many distinguished men.
[295] English Literature.
[296] English Literature.
[297] "English Literature." The most philosophic work on the subject; but it is difficult, and requires a previous knowledge of the principal English authors.
[298] Handbook of Universal Literature.
[299] Dictionary of Authors.
[300] Bartlett's "Familiar Quotations" is one of the most famous and valuable of books.
[301] "Edge-Tools of Speech." Brief quotations arranged under heads such as Books, Government, Love, etc.
[302] "Library of Poetry and Song;" but for the general reader Palgrave's exquisite little "Golden Treasury" is better.
[303] "Primer of English Literature." The best very brief book on the subject.
[304] Bibliographical Aids.
[305] "Motive and Habit of Reading."
[306] "Choice of Books."
[307] "Sesame and Lilies."
[308] "The Love of Books."
[309] "History of Prose Fiction."
Baldwin's "Book Lover" is valuable for its lists of books bearing on special topics.
C. K. Adams' "Manual of Historical Literature" is invaluable to the student of history. There ought to be similar books relating to Philosophy, Fiction, Science, etc.
MISCELLANEOUS.
In the column "Miscellaneous" are placed a number of books which should be at least glanced through to open the doors of thought on all sides and to take such account of their riches as will place them at command when needed.
[310] One of the noblest little books in existence; to read it is to pour into the life and character the inspiration of hundreds of the best and most successful lives. Every page should be carefully read and digested. (U. S., 19th cent.)
[311] An exquisite book; one of Robert Collyer's early favorites. Put its beauty in your heart. (U. S., 19th cent.)
[312] A book that should be read for its breadth. (Eng., early 17th cent.)
[313] Edward Bellamy's "Looking Backward" is one of the same class of books to which Bacon's "New Atlantis," More's "Utopia," etc., belong, and may be read with much pleasure and profit along with them. It is really a looking forward to an ideal commonwealth, in which the labor troubles and despotisms of to-day shall be adjusted on the same principle as the political troubles and despotisms of the last century were settled; namely, the principle that each citizen shall be industrially the equal of every other, as all are now political equals. It is a very famous book, and has been called the greatest book of the century, which, happily for the immortality of Spencer and Darwin, Carlyle and Ruskin, Parkman and Bancroft, Guizot and Bryce, Goethe and Hugo, Byron and Burns, Scott and Tennyson, Whittier and Lowell, Bulwer and Thackeray, Dickens and Eliot, is only the judgment of personal friendship and blissful ignorance. But while the book cannot feel at home in the society of the great, it is nevertheless a very entertaining story, and one vastly stimulative of thought. The idea of a coming industrial democracy, bearing more or less analogy to the political democracy, the triumph of which we have seen, is one that has probably occurred to every thoughtful person; and in Bellamy's book may be found an ingenious expansion of the idea much preferable to the ordinary socialistic plans of the day, though not wholly free from the injustice that inheres in all social schemes that do not aim to secure to each man the wealth or other advantage that his lawful efforts naturally produce. (U. S., 19th cent.)
[314] Everywhere a favorite. It opens up wide regions of imagination. Ruskin says he read it many times when he might have been better employed, and crosses it from his list. But the very fact that he read the book so often shows that even his deep mind found irresistible attraction in it. (First introduced into Europe in 17th cent.)
[315] The most colossal lies known to science. (Ger., 18th cent.)
[316] The poem of "Beowulf" should be looked into by all who wish to know the character of the men from whom we sprang, and therefore realize the basic elements of our own character. (Eng., early Saxon times.)
[317] Should be glanced at for the light it throws on English history and development. (9th-12th cents.)
[318] Froissart's "Chronicles" constitute a graphic story of the States of Europe from 1322 to the end of the 14th century. Scott said that Froissart was his master. Breadth demands at least a glance at the old itinerant tale-gatherer. Note especially the great rally of the rebels of Ghent.
[319] This masterpiece of Old German Minstrelsy is too much neglected by us. Read it with the three preceding. (Early German.)
[320] Saga means "tale" or "narrative," and is applied in Iceland to every kind of tradition, true or fabulous. Read the "Heimskringla," Njal's Saga, and Grettir's Saga, (9th-13th cents.)
[321] Along with the last should be read the poems of the elder Edda. (Compiled by Samund the Wise, 12th cent.)
[322] The epic of Spain, containing a wonderful account of the prowess of a great leader and chief. (Spain, before the 13th cent.)
[323] A collection of fragments about the famous King Arthur and his Round Table. They crop out in every age of English literature. Read the book with Tennyson's "Idylls of the King,"—a poem inspired by Malory's "Morte D'Arthur,"—Cervantes' "Don Quixote," and Twain's "Yankee in the Court of King Arthur," Lanier's "Boy's King Arthur," Ritson's "Ancient English Metrical Romances," Ellis' Introduction to the Study of the same, Preston's "Troubadours and Trouvères," Sismondi's "Literature of Southern Europe," Chapon's "Troubadours," and Van Laun's "History of French Literature" may be referred to with advantage by the student of Malory.
[324] A collection of Chinese odes.
[325] This and the last are recommended, not for intrinsic merit, but for breadth, and to open the way to an understanding of and sympathy with four hundred millions of mankind who hold these books in profound veneration. (China, as early as 5th cent. b. c.)
[326] This is the Bible of the Sufis of Persia, one of the manifestations of that great spirit of mysticism which flows like a great current through the world's history, side by side with the stream of Rationalism. It found certain outlets in Schelling, Swedenborg, Emerson, etc., and is bubbling up even now through the strata of worldliness in the United States in the shape of Theosophy. (7th cent.)
[327] Read Saint Hilaire's "Buddha" and Arnold's "Light of Asia." They will open great regions of thought.
[328, 329] These are epitomized by Talboys Wheeler in his "History of India." Very interesting and broadening. (Very ancient.)
[330-332] Not valuable reading intrinsically, but as opening the doors of communication with the minds and hearts of whole races of men, most useful. The Vedas are the Bible of the Hindus, and contain the revelation of Brahma (15th cent.). The Koran is the Mohammedan Bible (6th cent.). The Talmud belongs to the Rabbinical literature of the Jews, and is a collection of Jewish traditions (3d cent.).
[333] The works of Hooker, Swedenborg, Newton, Kepler, Copernicus, Laplace, should be actually handled and glanced through to form a nucleus of experience, around which may gather a little knowledge of these famous men and what they did. This remark applies with more or less of force to all the names on the second shelf. Few can hope to read all these books, but it is practicable by means of general works, such as those mentioned in Column 13, to gain an idea of each man, his character and work; and there is no better way to put a hook in the memory on which such knowledge of an author may be securely kept, than to take his book in your hands, note its size and peculiarities (visual and tactual impressions are more easily remembered than others as a rule), glance through its contents, and read a passage or two.
SHORT COURSES.
When the reader has a special purpose in view, it is of the greatest advantage to arrange in systematic order the books that will be most helpful in the accomplishment of his purpose, study them one after the other, mark them, compare them, make cross references from one to another, digest and assimilate the vital portions of each, and seek to obtain a mastery of all that the best minds of the past have given us in reference to the object of his effort. For example: a person who has devoted himself exclusively to one line of ideas will be greatly benefited by reading a short course of books that will give him a glimpse of each of the great fields of thought. One who is lacking in humor should get a good list of fine humorous works and devote himself to them, and to the society of fun-loving people, until he can see and enjoy a good joke as keenly as they do,—not only to quicken his perception of humor, but that the organ of fun (the gland that secretes wit and humor) may be roused into normal activity. Again, if a gentleman finds that he does not appreciate Shakspeare, Dante, Irving, etc., as he sees or is told that literary people do; if he prefers his newspaper to the English classics as a source of pleasure and profit; if he sees little difference between Tennyson and Tupper, enjoys Bill Nye as much or more than Holmes, and is able to compare the verses he writes to his sweetheart with Milton without any very distinct feeling except perhaps a disgust for Milton,—if any of these things are true, he has need of a course to develop a literary taste.
In the three tables following will be found a suggestion of several important short courses, and others will be found on page 123 et seq.
TABLE II.
A short special course, to gather ideas of practical importance to every life, and to make a beginning in the gaining of that breadth of mind which is of such vital value by reason of its influence on morals and the aid it gives in the attainment of truth.
1. Physiology and Hygiene. Read and digest the best books. See Table I. Col. 3.
2. "Our Country," by Strong; the Constitution of the United States; the Declaration of Independence, and Washington's Farewell. (All m. R. D.)
3. Mill's Logic; at any rate, the Canons of Induction and the Chapter on Fallacies, (m. R. D. C. G.)
4. Smiles's "Self-Help." (m. R. D.)
5. Wood's books on Natural History; especially his anecdotes of animals, and evidences of mind, etc., in animals (e. R. D.). Proctor's books on Astronomy, "Other Worlds than Ours," etc. (e. R. G.). Lubbock's "Primitive Condition of Man" (m. R.). Dawson's "Chain of Life" (m. R.). In some good brief way, as by using the "Encyclopædia Britannica," read about Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler, Newton, Darwin, Herschel, Lyell, Harvey, and Torricelli.
6. Spencer's "First Principles." (d. R. D. G.)
7. Green's "Short History of the English People" (m. R. D. G.). Bancroft's "History of the United States" (m. R. D. G). Guizot's "History of Civilization" (m. R. D. G.).
8. Max Müller's philological works, or some of them (m. R.). Taylor's "Words and Places" (m. R.).
9. In some public library, if the books are not accessible elsewhere, get into your hands the books named in Columns 12 and 13 of Table I., and not already spoken of in this table, and glance through each, reading a little here and there to make a rapid survey of the ground, acquire some idea of it, and note the places where it may seem to you worth while to dig for gold.
TABLE III.
A short course of the choicest selections from the whole field of general literature. It may easily be read through in a year, and will form a taste and provide a standard that will enable the reader ever after to judge for himself of the quality and value of whatever books may come before the senate of his soul to ask for an appropriation of his time in their behalf.
Very few books are requisite for this course, but it will awaken a desire that will demand a library of standard literature. No. 1, No. 2, etc., refer to the numbers of the "100 Choice Selections." Monroe's "Sixth Reader" and Palgrave's "Golden Treasury" are also referred to, because they contain a great number of these gems, and are books likely to be in the possession of the reader.
For the meaning of the other abbreviations, see the last section of the Introductory Remarks.
Group I.—Poetry.
[*] in headings denotes "Degree of Difficulty."
Group II.—Short Poetical Selections.
Group III.—Short Prose Selections.