The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1866-02-22

the eountry-he must seek some clerk
snip or arduous manual labor that he
may exc out a bare eXistence-the exist
ence which his pen viii not procurehim.
1t is this which is the shame OF our men
of wealth.
Some men appear to think that they
have accomplished their mission as pa
irons Of literature when they have pur-
chased Il few volumes Of the booksellers
They seem to consider that their duty
and privilege ends at this point, and,
they hatter themselves that the cause of
letters is advanced by their lberality.
They forget. or, If remembering, they
ignore, that in no country has the pursuit
OF letters been every way satisfactory
without the fostering help Of private or
governmental nunifieence. The only
country where individuals have dared
to essay literature with no promise Of
support is our own. The result is that
the majority Of our writer's have been
driven to unpleasant clerkshi fer a
living, until ii is ii by-word of no pleas
ant omen that man who undertakes to
earn his bread by authorship will soon
be out at the elbows; while in England
large bounties are bestowed upon talent
by private liberality-not as II charity,
but for the national credit and for per-
sonal hOnor-we have vet to learn of
the first instance in our own land where
writers have been the recipients of such
favors. That this should not he so, we
think a little reflection will convince the
reader. The man who uses his brain for
the happiness and welfare of his fellows,
ought to be beyond the annoyance Of
anxieties about living. He ought to
hav a competence, and perfect COM
mand Of his time. Under no other
circumstances can we hope for the Gre
alton of great works which may rank
with the British classics, and give us,
indeed, national literature.
There are many ways by which men
OF means can lend active support to
authors and writers. First, and chief
among these, we would name freer
personal intercourse. AS it is now,
authorship well-nigh places a man out
side the pale Of the best and most genial
society. Not that we would have every
man Of wealth throw open his doors to
all the scribblers who chance along. But
there should be some means of personal
acquaintance, some bond of common
interest and friendship, some appreci-
alton and confidence on the part of men
who are ahundantly able to aid writer
in bringing a good thing before the
public. Who does not remember the
Ivy Lane Turks Head, and Mer-
maid' clubs Of the merry days of John
son? And do we wonder when Irving
says that, in the whole kingdom, there
was not man who did not consider
himself honored by hispresence at these
gatherings of literary celebrities Many
a volume that we now cherish as classic
had its suggestion and inspiration at one
OF these coteries. They brought together,
in raternal league, the best literary
interests; they gave a freshness and
sparkle to the brilliant circle of talented
men of the day; but, most of all, tended
to bring authors into pleasant social re-
lations with men of wealth and intiu-
ence. 1t is by coming in contact with
the thoughts, life, and plans of writer's
that opulence can break down the fic-
titious barriers which it has reared, and
can throw about the profession of letters
those genial and cheerful associations
which are the true soul Of inspiration.
Most earnestly would we urge upon our
rich men that they take more pains to
bring together, in social way, kindred
literary spirits. 1t is not enough that
we have extravagant clubs, with large
memberships. The Century is good in
its way, as are others of our clubs. But
the Century has no library, and really
does more for art than for literature
Nor do we want clearinghouse clubs,
in the shadow of which brilliant men
shall march straight down to ruin. We
have one already, and wecan but shrink
from thought Of another such blight.
CAS- America has already taken the
pre-eminence among the nations for her
noble benevolence, mechanical skill de-
velopments in many of The arts, and in
her liberality to all that can foster and
encourage a grand national growth, SO
would we see her take her place in the
front rank As the promoter of art and
literature. We believe that our country
is destined to have no rival in the ere
alton of genius and the works Of mind.
The elements are all here; the inspiring
scenery is stretching away or towering
on every hand; the thought Of the
people is ful! of poetic hope and vigorous
life; tiic ari of book max ing has attain
ed the perfection Of other lands; every
thing Is ready for Il mighty era Of brilli-
ant intellectual efforts efforts that shall
as far surpass the creations of old-time
intellect as America already s.ifpasses
other nations ior vital and permanen.
growth Will our wealthy men help it.
nr w i'll fha,, rAfarI IL ~,