Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1863-10-27
FICTION.

ton without having a corresponding
real existence in the objective and real
world, nor in the inherent truth of Ger
tain abstract ideas, or its is the exagera
ton of ideas based upon a consonance
with nature, in such measure that their
association with what is true in nature
will give to them certain plansibiiity.
which may often lead the mind Of the
uowary reader into a beliefin their gan.
uine consistency with the estar,,,, s1 - s.
der anu holnogene...e,y5 oftrnth. Ttisno
aes.a''-a 10 write Philippe agains
fiction, though like many things contain
ing certain elements of good, It has beer
ost egregiousiy abused by thost
authors who fail to reach the sublime
and beautiful aud pure in the human
Imagination, and who debase the true
mission of the sense of the beautiful ano
the powers OF conception implanted in
us by divinity, to the production d
works whose popularity depends notup
on the consistency other creation viii
the more ennobling truths of nature
nor of ideal truth, but upo calling III.
to play the -conmoner sentiments ofthe
heart, that are based upon principles ex-
Using in our earthly and not our spirit
tlal natures. The truth of this ebserya
ton will only be admitted by those who
by a careful introspection are capable Of
observing and analyzing the workings Of
their own minds and emotions in the be.
rusal of such works, of the kind to which
we allude, as are so prevalent in this
age, and especially in this country :
The extreme popularity of a book is
pra7aa facae evidence of its want of mer.
it, and of its beirg based upon princi-
pies which neither originate in the no
lier inspirations of OR spiritual nature,
nor in the sublime and difficult attain.
ments of the human reason. 1t is often
said that trutt is stranger than fctiou,
and such may be the fact. If an an
cient writer had spoken Of the transmits
sion of thought by calling into use the
subtle fluid which creates the imposing
splendors of the sky when lighted BY
its sudden flash, or had intimated that
it was within the reach of the human
intellect to divine by the exercise ofrea-
son, the existence Of. an unknown plan
ct in a certain region of space, it would
have been regarded by those wholly ig-
norant of the facts, as a mytha as mere
fanciful imagining of the human mind.
The revelations of the telescope in Him
table space, or those of the microscope
in the inferior world, attest the wonder
full and mysterious truths that exist be-
yond the sphere OF man and that lie EN-
bedded in the creation which surrounds
him. The human mind is prone to seek.
that which is novel and strange, either
in its lower manifestations in some of
the works of men, or in the revelations
Of a supreme Being OF the consonance
cf the true, the beautiful and the good,
with universal order and with all that is
enabling to man in his relations to tina
and eternity.
But in the divine order of Times,
truth Ike all ofthe gifts of God, is to be
attained by an energetic exercise of the
powers he has bestowed upon as for the
accomplishment of the desired object
We little appreciate in the present con-
dition of man the all wise dispensation which by
reducing him to tbs necessity of labor, menta'
or physical tends to preserve him from the temp
tations of an idle and improvident life, and to ex-
alt him to combining with nature, which when
interpreted, plainly indicates to him,
though imperfectly, the will and supreme attrib
utes of its divine author.
But there is strong natural tendency to leth-
argy and indoieAce of mind, as well as of body,
and hence few are willing to prosecute the
study Of nature in any of its manifestations,
whether in the psychological, moral, social, or
natural world until they arrive at point when
a further effort and further extension of know
ledge becomes no longer an uninviting labor but
a source of the highest qualification and pleasure
Thus only certain class of men, of inquiring
minds and good natural parts, become initiated
into the higher regions of thought, and pursue a
course OF study requiring the closer and more
aborions consecutiyeness of effort necessary to
attain to a knowledge of the hidden mysteries
and principles underlying the phenomena pre-
sented to view in the world which surrounds US.
whilst the imbecile, from whatever carae, Tolls
upon his couch aud disdaining the creation of in
Unite wisdom IN all its beauty, and harmony, and
'plendor, and adoption both to the reason and
imagination of man, prefers the novelty and ex-
element Of work of fiction, inconsistent with
;rath, bringing into play most frequently.
thoughts OF pleasure aud qualification of the low
srskind, and limiting them to all the influences
If mere stage scene. In truth there is much
learer relationship between the influence of such
works as are most commonly read by our youth.
md that of the stage, than most persons would
Re willing to admit. Both represent the. same
PASSIONS and motives of the actors, the same
Methods, of adapting means to an end, and both
lave, in different degrees however, the same
ensualistic tendencies. Both appeal to the
anne classes for popularity and support; but the
heatre as it exists, brings into practical life in
is consequences, those principles which the or
inary and lower works of fiction only present to
he Imagination, under circumstances less ars-
cious for causing them to be acted upon. We.
xclude from these structures certain works of
rue genius and purity Of thought and imagina.
ion, and speak only ofsthe most numerous and
lost popular class of works of the kind to which
re allude. Some of the works with their Incl
ents and characters faithfully preserved, could
nth very slight alterations ofform be adapted to
be stage, that pure minded and intelligent PEG.
lie are afraid to conntenance as being too great
power, exertlng too great an influence for evil.
We are placed in this world to adapt ourselves
, the realities which surround US, which SO far