The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-06-29

MOuTOt U 70
1t is rarity in these busting times to meet with
serene dispassionae, and independent thinker, like
the author of this agreeable volume. There would
seem to be something in the influences by which
we Americans are surrounded, unfavorable to the
habit by which such mind accompanies itself.
There is so much to tempt TO action and external
enterprise around US, that the medtatye faculties
are little practised, practised only upon themes
of selfish and fugitive interest. We are, conse-
quently, too apt to take our opinions men of
fashion do their religion, at secondhand, and upon
trust and the excuse for this Intellectual recreancy
is lack of time Is it not too often rather volun
tary neglect TO cultivate tastes which would be to
a and delight, when the mere object Of
securing competency has been attained Is it
not the greed of gain, of outward advancement,
INDUCED the expense of our moral and intellec-
tual health and staturei
As specimens Of the quality of this book, we Sc
lect few extracts, promising that the work is
print from the original London edition, and that
the American publishers, with exemplary berality
not only obtained the consent of the author to its
republication, but have agreed to allow him fair
share in the profits from the sales. The following
passage has reference to a subject upon which
much error PREVAILS especially among many classes
of our own people:
"REcREArIoN.
g have seen ii quoted, from Aristotle, that the
end of labor is to gain leisure II is great saying
We have in modern times totally wrong view of
the matter. Noble work is noble thing, but not
Il Al. l.
business is in itself something grand that to be in
tensely employed, for instance, about something
which has no truth, beauty, usefulness in it,
which makes no man happier or wiser, is still the
perfection of human endeavor, so that the work be
intense. 1t is the intensity not the nature of the
work, that men praise You see the extent of this
feeling in little things. People are so ashamed of
being caught for moment idle, that if you come
upon the most Industrious servants workmen,
whilst they standing looking at something which
interests them, fairly resting, they move off in
fright, as if they were proved, by moments re-
laxation to be neglectul of their work Yet it is the
result that they should mainly be judged by, and to
which they should appeal. But, amongst all class
es, the working itself, incessant working, is the
thing deifed. Now, what is the end and object of
most work. To provide for animal wants Nota
contemplate thing by any MEANS but still it is not
the pressure Of bread-gettng is fairly past, we do
not often find mems exertons essened on that
count These enter into their minds as motives
ambition, love of boarding, or fear of leisure,
things which, in moderation, may be defended
even justified, but which not so peremptoriy,
or upon the face of them excellent that they at
once dignity excessive labor.
'.The truth is, that to work insatiably requires
much less mind than to work judicously, and less
courage than TO- refuse work that cannot be done
honestly. For hundred men whose appetite for
work can be driven on by vanity, avarice, ambi-
ton, or a mistaken notion of advancing their fam-
lies, thereis about one who is desirous Of expand
ing his own nature and the nature Of others, all
directions, Of cultvating many pursuits; of bringing
himself and those around him In contact with the
universe in many points, of being and not a
machine.
'sThere is theory which has done singular mis-
chief to the cause of recreation and of general cu
tivation. Ii is, that men cannot excel in more
things than one and that, if they can, they had
better be quiet about IT. Avoid music, do not
cultivate art, be not known TO excel in any craft
but your own says many worldly parent, there
by laying the foundation of narrow, greedy char
acter, and destroying the means of happiness and
of improvement, which success, or even real
ceence, in one profession only cannot give. This
is, indeed, sacrifice of the end Of living for the
means.
Again, there people who would say, La
Dor is not all we do not object TO the cessation of
labor-a mere provision for bodily ends I; but we
2
atom Do these people take heed of the swiftness
I OF thought--of the Impotence of thought! What
will the great mass of men be thinking of, if they
taug TO shun amusemsnts, and the thoughts OF
amusement II any sensuality is left open TO them
they will think of that; il not sensuaty, then
svarce or ferocity for the cause Of God as they
would call il. People who have had nothing else
10 amuse them have been very apt TO indulge them
selves in the excitement of prosecuting their fellow
I creatures"
BEAUTY AND UeLIHEss.
Here is hint for our utilitarians and prosaists in
architecture, which they will do well to ponder:
"What, then, are a nations possessionsi The
great words that have been said in IT; the great
deeds that have been done in il; the great buildings
and the great works OF art that have been made in
II. A man says noble saying-it is a possession,
\ first to his own race, then to mankind. A people
I get a noble building built for them il is an honor
10 them; also daily delight and instruction. IL
4 perishes; the remembrance Of Il is st posses
sion. II It was, indeed, pre-eminent there will be
more pleasure in thinking Of II than in being with
others Of inferior order and design.
"on the other hand, thing Of ugliness is potent
for evil Ii deforms the taste Of the thoughiless il
freu the man who knows how bad il is; il is a dis
grace to the nation who raised it; an example and
AN occasion for monstrosities. If is greai
building, in great city, thousands Of people pass II
daily, and the worse for IT, at least not the
better. IL must be done away with. Next 10 the
folly Of doing bad thing is that Of fearing TO undo
a. We must not look at what il has cost, but at
what it is. Millions may be spent upon some
foolish device, which will not the more make it
into possession, but only a noticeable detr-
ment."
DECLINE THE DRAMA.
"Dunyrd-What are the causes, then, Of the
decline Of the drama
".Niiperton.--ln England, or rather in London,
for London is England for dramatic purposes-in
London, then, theatrical arrangements seem TO be
framed to drive away people Of sense. The noisofne
atmosphere, the difficult approach, the oversize Of
the great theatres, the intoerable length Of per-
formances.
] "ELlaners. Hear hear
".Nilrerfon. crowding together OF theatres
in one part Of the town. the lateness Of the hours
"Eusmers,-The folly Of the audience, who al
ways appnud in the wrong place
"Dimsford.-There rs no occasion to say any
more / am quite convinced
".Niiperton,-But these snnoyances need not be.