The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1872-02-22
SHORT ESSAYs-4.N0, ).
TIE BEAUTIFULIN NATURE AND
ART

lIlkkt lIt lbNf VI tllt b'tullluI lut HhD-
icc; Of this. The people Of this gene
ration in their hcadlong rush after mann
mon, too often lose sight Of the bcauti4
ful in Nature and Art. In all manner of
works whicl, characterize this progress
sivc age, utility is chiefly considered,
often to the dispRragcment, If not to
the exclusion of the beautiful. The
busy laborcrs in most fields that occupy
the attention of our contemporaries re-
gard rs the question of paramount i'm
portancc, when dcibcrating on any
new departure contemplated will it
pay? We are Of those who do not be-
love it will recompcnse man to sacri-
flee one of the llcavcn-born principles
of human nature in the hot race to be
rich or famous. We are aware that our
steamboats,, our hotols and sleeping.
cars are splcndidlv and uXuriously
furnished, rivaling the oauleMt appoint
mcnts of Eastern grandeur, The deco
rations of the modern opera house and
other places OF public resort, far sur
pass in mugmiticcncc the garnilurc of
other times. The same may be said OF
some private residences. The cmbeli-h-
mcnt of places designed for the accom-
modation of the public Is often an in
voluntary or unconscious tribute to the
power of beauty, used for the purpose
Of cnticing patronage by appealing to
the intuitive feeling of humanity, which
in persons of refinement and educated
taste requires to be gratiticd. When
good taste is blended with liborality in
the arrangement and adornment of pri-
vatc estates, such an exhibition tells IA
vorably the character Of the owners
! We rejoice that in our country there
are some who thus make their presence
u joy--their own good fortune happi-
ness to others.
Notwithstanding all we have admit
tod thcro Is grirvous inattention TO
beauty. We use the term in its largest
sense, meaning to include symmetry
and that peculiar Iiino.s Of things which
i better appreciated when seen than de-
scribcd. We think the child should bo
taught to cherish the innate love Of tho
beautiful. which Is natural to innocence
and youth, We are satisfied that no
wiser expenditure can be made by tho
parent than the money or labor used in
making home attractive. If ones mcanS
admit OF it. we would urge the purchase
of statuary. paintings, instruments of
music, aud indeed everything which
will contribute to tho embcl lshment,
the comfort, the beauty of home, in
doors and out, There are few things
which contribute more to the enjoyment
of mankind than the beautiful, whether
it be of the character furnished by tho
.tar-dcckcd iirmamcnt of u cloudless
night, or the picturesque landscape,
comprising mountain, plain and river,
with trees, grass, flowers nnd nocks.--
These all may be made uniaiing sources
of pleasure to the humblcst cOttager, as
they should be to the most lordly nabob.
/ The variety and extent of happiness
afforded by the concordance found in
Nature will be best appreciated by those
who have been educated to comprehend
the qualities deserving of admiration,
possessed in unequal degrees by various
objects, and often modified by position,
combination or other circumstances
Many persons who pass through this
world seemingly comprehend no excel
lcncc in anything which may not be
made to yield money. In other words,
they discover no good in that which has
not n commercial value. We envy not
the man who listens to the carol of tho
"robin-rcd breast without n responsive
emotion Of JOY. We pity him who can
find no pleasure in the bright and fra
grant petal of the rose. We should fear
to trust the friendship of one who de-
lights never IN the melody of modulat-
ed sounds. The cntcrt .inmcnt afforded
by the contemplation of any subject Is
commensurate with the ability to dis
Germ in il attributes Of attraction which
accord with some inherent princip ga of
human nature possessed bv the observer
in cou,ciou, dcg:cc. These qualities
may remain latent through life. or they
may be developed during childhood.
The power or influence of favorable as
>ociatonS in their evolution Is early
manifested. and adverse circum stances
not unircqucntIy suppress or pcrvert
them. The ultimate character of every
individual is unquc.tonably affected.
for veal orwo, by the early influences
which surround him. Ay. after this life
is over, the spirit which has been mould
ed or trained while journcying from the
cradle to the grave by its earthly sur
ronndings. will forever. we believe. bear
the impress made by influences affecting
ii when tenant Of the earthly tabcrna-
clc. OF the mission or ultimate destiny
of the soul we know but lttlo-but wo
are satisfied that tho grandeur of its iu-
turc career will he proportionatc to the
>ublmity OF the aspirations il cntcrtains
before its discnthraIlcd course COM
mcnccs. If low and grovclling. it NAV
be more bcastly than the brute. II God
like. 1t may surpass the glorious pro-
grc-s of angels, surrounded with the
Heavenly splcndor of evcr-increasing
light that emanatcs from the eifulgent
center of all good, where alone pcrfcc-
ton dwells, the happy soul ever moving
pathways of radiant beauty.
T.