Cmap. XIX.] Romances and Novels. 3f)9 



best is not unadviseable*; that in selecting these, 

 however, o-rcat vii2:ilance and caution should be 

 exercised by those to whom the delicate and dilli- 

 cult task is committed; that the perusal of a lar^^c 

 number, even of the better sort, has a tendency too 

 much to engross the mind, to fill it with artificial 

 views, and to diminish the taste for more solid read- 

 ing ; but that a young person habitually and indis- 

 criminately devoted to novels is in a fair way to 

 dissipate his mind, to deprave his taste, and to 

 bring on himself intellectual and moral ruin. 



* The author has no hesitation in saying, that, if it were j)ossi' 

 hie, he would whully prohibit the reading of novels. Not because 

 there are none worthy of being perused} but because tlie hope 

 that, out of the polluted and mischievous mass continually pre- 

 sented to the youthful mind, a tolerably wise choice will, in many 

 instances, be made, can scarcely be thought a reasonable hoi^e. 

 As, however, these fictitious productions are strewed around us in 

 such profusion, and will more or less excite the curiosity of youth, 

 the plan of total exclusion is seldom practicable. In this case it is, 

 perhaps, the wisest course to endeavour to regulate the curiosity 

 which cannot be prevented, and to exercise the utmost vigilance in 

 making a proper choice for its gratification, and in restraining this 

 gratification within small bounds. For it may, with confidence, 

 be pronounced, that no one was ever an extf.nsive and 



ESPECIALLY AN HABITUAL READER OF NOVELS, EVi:N 

 SUPPOSING TIIF.M ALL TO BE WELL SELECTED, WITHOUT 

 fUFFERING BOTH INTELLECTUAL AND MORAL INJUKY, ANB 

 ©f COURSE INCURUI^O^ DIMINUTION OF HAPPINESS. 



ADDITIONAL 



