Novel-reading produces a morbid appetite for excitement. The object of
the novelist, generally, is to produce the highest possible degree of
excitement, both of the mind and the passions. The object is very
similar to that of intoxicating liquors on the body: hence, the
confirmed novel-reader becomes a kind of _literary inebriate_, to whom
the things of _entity_ have no attractions, and whose thirst cannot be
slaked, even with the water of life. And as intoxication enfeebles the
body, and engenders indolent habits, so this unnatural stimulus
enfeebles the intellectual powers, induces mental indolence, and unfits
the mind for vigorous efforts. Nothing less stimulating than its
accustomed aliment can rouse such a mind to action, or call forth its
energies; and then, being under the influence of mental intoxication,
which dethrones reason and destroys the power of self-control, they are
always misdirected.
It also promotes a sickly sensibility. Dr. Brigham, speaking of the too
powerful excitement of the female mind, says: "In them the nervous system
naturally predominates. They are endowed with quicker sensibility and
far more active imagination than men. Their emotions are more intense,
and their senses alive to more delicate impressions. They therefore
require great attention, lest this exquisite sensibility--which, when
properly and naturally developed, constitutes the greatest excellence of
woman--should either become excessive by too strong excitement, or
suppressed by misdirected education." Novel-reading produces just the
kind of excitement calculated to develop this excessive and diseased
sensibility; and the effect is, to fill the mind with imaginary fears,
and produce excessive alarm and agitation at the prospect of danger, the
sight of distress, or the presence of unpleasant objects; while no place
is found for the exercise of genuine sympathy for real objects of
compassion. That sensibility which weeps over imaginary woes of imaginary
beings, calls forth but imaginary sympathy. It is too refined to be
excited by the _vulgar_ objects of compassion presented in real life, or
too excitable to be of any avail in the relief of real distress. It may
faint at the sight of blood, but it will shrink back from binding up the
wound. If you wish to become weak-headed, nervous, and good for nothing,
read novels. I have seen an account of a young lady, who had become so
nervous and excitable, in consequence of reading novels, that her head
would be turned by the least appearance of danger, real or imaginary. As
she was riding in a carriage over a bridge, in company with her mother
and sister, she became frightened at some fancied danger, caught hold of
the reins, and backed the carriage off the bridge, down a precipice,
dashing them to pieces.
This excessive sensibility renders its possessor exquisitely alive to
all those influences which are unfriendly to human happiness, while it
diminishes the power of endurance. Extreme sensibility, especially in a
female, is a great misfortune, rendering the ills of life insupportable.
Great care should therefore be taken that, while genuine sensibility is
cherished, its extremes should be avoided, and the mind fortified by
strengthening the higher powers.
Novel-reading strengthens the passions, weakens the virtues, and
diminishes the power of self-control. Multitudes may date their ruin
from the commencement of this kind of reading; and many more, who have
been rescued from the snare, will regret, to the end of their days, its
influence in the early formation of their character.
It is, too, a great waste of time. Few will pretend that they read
novels with any higher end in view than _mere amusement_; while, by the
strong excitement they produce, they impose a heavier tax on both mind
and body than any other species of mental effort. If any thing valuable
is to be derived from them, it can be obtained with far less expense of
time, and with safety to the morals, from other sources. No Christian,
who feels the obligation of "redeeming the time, because the days are
evil," will fail to feel the force of this remark. We have no more right
to squander our time and waste our energies in frivolous pursuits, than
we have to waste our money in extravagant expenditures. We are as much
the stewards of God in respect to the one as the other.