Thus
the best books are treasuries of good words and golden thoughts,
which, remembered and cherished, become our abiding companions and
comforters. "They are never alone," said Sir Philip Sidney, "that
are accompanied by noble thoughts." The good and true thought may
in time of temptation be as an angel of mercy purifying and
guarding the soul. It also enshrines the germs of action, for
good words almost invariably inspire to good works.
Thus Sir Henry Lawrence prized above all other compositions
Wordsworth's 'Character of the Happy Warrior,' which he
endeavoured to embody in his own life. It was ever before him as
an exemplar. He thought of it continually, and often quoted it to
others. His biographer says: "He tried to conform his own life
and to assimilate his own character to it; and he succeeded, as
all men succeed who are truly in earnest." (1)
Books possess an essence of immortality. They are by far the most
lasting products of human effort. Temples crumble into ruin;
pictures and statues decay; but books survive. Time is of no
account with great thoughts, which are as fresh to-day as when
they first passed through their authors' minds ages ago. What was
then said and thought still speaks to us as vividly as ever from
the printed page. The only effect of time has been to sift and
winnow out the bad products; for nothing in literature can long
survive but what is really good.
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