FRANCIS CHARPENTIER, 1620-1702.

I could not help laughing at the expression, though I agree in the sentiment of Heinsius, who with a simple frankness, very natural to a Dutchman, declares, that on reading Plato, he felt so much delight and enthusiasm, that one page of that philosopher's work operated upon him like the intoxication produced by swallowing ten bumpers of wine.

SIR WILLIAM TEMPLE, 1628-1698.

Books, like proverbs, receive their chief value from the stamp and esteem of ages through which they have passed.

ISAAC BARROW, 1630-1677.

Is not Aristotle as renowned for teaching the world with his pen, as Alexander for conquering it with his sword? Is not one far oftener mentioned than the other? Do not men hold themselves much more obliged to the learning of the philosopher, than to the valor of the warrior? He that loveth a book will never want a faithful friend, a wholesome counsellor, a cheerful companion, an effectual comforter. By study, by reading, by thinking, one may innocently divert and pleasantly entertain himself, as in all weathers, so in all fortunes.

The reading of books, what is it but conversing with the wisest men of all ages and all countries, who thereby communicate to us their most deliberate thoughts, choicest notions, and best inventions, couched in good expression, and digested in exact method?

ROBERT SOUTH, 1633-1716.

The pleasure and delight of knowledge and learning

far surpasseth all other in nature.

Of knowledge there

is no satiety, but satisfaction and appetite are perpetually interchangeable.

He who has published an injurious book, sins, as it were, in his very grave; corrupts others while he is rotting himself.

JOHN DE LA BRUYÈRE, 1644-1696.

Where a book raises your spirit, and inspires you with noble and courageous feelings, seek for no other rule to judge the event by; it is good and made by a good workman.

A SEVENTEENTH CENTURY DIVINE.

Consider that there be daily duties to be well performed which do not exclude innocent recreations and the privileged opportunities of silent conversation with the greatest minds and spirits, in their most chosen words, in their books, that lie ready and offer themselves to us if we would.

JEREMY COLLIER, 1650-1726.

By Reading a Man does as it were Antedate his Life, and makes himself contemporary with the Ages past.

In conversing with Books we may chuse our Company, and disengage without Ceremony. Here we are free from the Formalities of Custom: We need not undergo the Penance of a dull Story; but may shake off the Haughty, the Impertinent, and the Vain, at Pleasure.

Books are a Guide in Youth, and an Entertainment for Age. They support us under Solitude, and keep us from being a Burthen to ourselves. They help us

to forget the Crossness of Men and Things; compose our Cares, and our Passions; and lay our Disappointments asleep. When we are weary of the Living, we may repair to the Dead, who have nothing of Peevishness, Pride, or Design, in their Conversation. A Man may as well expect to grow stronger by always Eating, as wiser by always Reading. 'Tis Thought and Digestion which make Books serviceable, and gives Health and Vigor to the Mind.

CHARLES BLOUNT, 1654-1697.

Men's Natural Abilities, like Natural Plants, need pruning by Study: Thus we see that Histories make Men wise; Poets, witty; Mathematicks, subtle; Natural Philosophy, deep; Moral Philosophy, grave; Logick and Rhetorick, able to dispute; all which Excellencies are to be acquired only from Books; since no Vocal Learning is so effectual for Instruction, as Reading; for that written Discourses are better digested, and support themselves better on their own weight, than Words disguised by the manner of Expression, cadence or gesture, which corrupt the simplicity of things; when also the suddenness of Pronunciation allows not the Audience time sufficient to reflect upon what was said.

Having thus demonstrated how much the World owes to Learning and Books, let me not be altogether unmindful of Faust and Guttenburg, the promoters of both; who by their Ingenuity discovered and made known to the World, that Profound Art of Printing, which hath made Learning not only Easie but Cheap; since now, any Person may accommodate himself with a good moderate Library, at the same Price, as hereto

fore Plato payed for Three Books of Philolaus the Pythagorean, viz., Three Hundred Pounds.

JOSEPH ADDISON, 1672-1719.

Books are the legacies that a great genius leaves to mankind, which are delivered down from generation to generation.

Knowledge of books in a man of business is a torch in the hands of one who is willing and able to show those who are bewildered, the way which leads to prosperity and welfare.

ALEXANDER POPE, 1688-1744.

At this day, as much company as I have kept, and as much as I love it, I love reading better.

BARON MONTESQUIEU, 1689-1755.

Love of reading enables a man to exchange the weary hours which come to everyone, for hours of delight.

LADY MARY WORTLEY MONTAGU, 1690-1762. No entertainment is so cheap as reading, nor any pleasure so lasting.

LORD CHESTERFIELD, 1694-1773.

Throw away none of your time upon those trivial, futile books, published by idle or necessitous authors, for the amusement of idle and ignorant readers: such sort of books swarm and buzz about one every day. Knowledge is like power, in this respect, and those who have the most, are most desirous of having more. It does not cloy by possession, but increases desire; which is the case with very few pleasures.

MATTHEW GREEN, 1696-1737.

And shorten tedious hours with books.

HENRY FIELDING, 1707-1754.

We are as liable to be corrupted by books as by companions.

SAMUEL JOHNSON, 1709-1784.

A young man should read five hours in the day, and so may acquire a great deal of knowledge.

General principles must be had from books. In conversation you never get a system.

Books that can be held in the hand, and carried to the fireside, are the best after all.

Knowledge is of two kinds. We know a subject ourselves, or we know where we can find information upon it. When we inquire into any subject, the first thing we have to do, is to know what books have treated of it.

DAVID HUME, 1712-1776.

I passed through the ordinary course of education with success, and was seized very early with a passion for literature, which has been the ruling passion of my life, and the great source of my enjoyments.

OLIVER GOLDSMITH, 1728-1774.

The first time I read an excellent book, it is to me just as if I had gained a new friend; when I read over a book I have perused before, it resembles the meeting with an old one.