This latter
consideration makes the reading of novels a more pernicious employment
than many others. For though there may be amusements, which may
sometimes produce injurious effects to those, who partake of them, yet
these may be counteracted by the perusal of works of a moral tendency.
The effects, on the other hand, which are produced by the reading of
novels, seem to admit of no corrective or cure; for how, for instance,
shall a perverted morality, which is considered to be one of them, be
rectified, if the book which is to contain the advice for this purpose,
be so uninteresting, or insipid, that the persons in question have no
disposition to peruse it?
CHAP. VII-SECT. I.
_Diversions of the field--diversions of the field forbidden--general
thoughtlessness on this subject--sentiments of Thomson--sentiments of
George Fox--of Edward Burroughs--similar sentiments of Cowper--law of
the society on the subject._
The diversions of the field are usually followed by people, without any
consideration, whether they are justifiable, either in the eye of
morality or of reason. Men receive them as the customs of their
ancestors, and they are therefore not likely to entertain doubts
concerning their propriety. The laws of the country also sanction them;
for we find regulations and qualifications on the subject.
Pages:
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139