An interesting discussion progresses in Chicago. Mr. Sam T.
Clover has asked this startling question:
"If you were bound for a desert island, and could take with
you only ten books, which ten books would you select?"
Whoever is refined and well read in Chicago seems to have
answered Mr. Clover's question. Mr. Clover introduces each
guesser with a graceful speech; then the guesser solemnly names
ten books.
The selections are, from the moral viewpoint, admirable. The
Bible is omitted rarely, and the Rubaiyat never. It is amazing
to see how many inhabitants of Cook County would be unhappy on a
desert island without Col. Omar. ----
It may not be permissible for a Yellow Editor to break into a
Cook County literary fiesta. We dislike to run the risk--but we
shall run it.
First we remark that a man living on a desert island needs no
books at all.
Reading books is an idle occupation unless you make your reading
profitable to other human beings, and that you cannot do on a
desert island.
The trouble with many readers is this: They read as though they
WERE on a desert island. They sop up literature or facts as a
sponge sops up water; then, like human sponges, do nothing with
their wisdom. They read for themselves; they read to increase
their egotism and self-approval, and for no other purpose. ----
But, after walking into an intellectual parlor above our station
in life, it certainly does not become us to be finicky.
We'll tell as quickly as possible what it is that surprises us: