Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-02-13
Educated Eyes.

VERY few people, even though entirely
uneducated, can look upon a fine antique
statue without being impressed by it.
Take, for instance, the classic Apollo, as
he stands in the naughty and magnificent
strength of young manhood, having Just
sent the death dealing arrow into the
heart of his victim-who can gaze upon
this figure unmoved? For not only are
the beautiful, symmetrical proportions of
a perfect human form presented, but
| there is significance, a meaning in the
attitude and expression which is apparent
to the most careless observer.
So forcibly and clearly does this statue
reveal itself to the sense of right, that a
strong and lasting impression is produced
on the mind and in proportion as the
person bebolding il is able to perceive
and appreciate It's beauty and merit, lust
in such proportion has his taste become
cultivated and refined. For the emotions
have been aroused, the imagination
awakened by the contemplation of this
hero, so superbly free and dauntless; our
sympathies are given to him and his
cause, and when we turn away and seek
to be ourselves again, we find that it is
not possible, at least for a time. to de-
scend to our former level-we have been
upllfted to more refined atmosphere.
and prefer to remain there.
1t is chiefly because the Belvidere Apol-
10, with other renowned statues, is fixed
forever in one significant and impressive
attitude and expression that uneducated
eyes can perceive its beauty. The same
eyes look upon, without seeing, the love-
illness of earth and air, of water and fire.
those elements which are constantly
forming for US the most beautiful pictures
and forms, ever new, never firing. How
much they lose, those dark, half-blinded
eyes. l see their owners rush through
the crowded street., fastening to daily
toll in the morning, to daily rest in the
evening, seeing nothing but the grim
pavements, or the faces of other moles
like themselves; while overhead the feecy
clouds go by, yelling and softening the
azure dome, and in the far eastward the
morning sun CLOVIS like a priceless ruby
OF the Orient, or in the far westward
lights half the heavens with scarlet and
gold, and softly fades to rose and amber.
and gently dies away into pale purple
flush before the rising moon.
10 those who are able to see, life is
never wearisome, seldom sad. To them
All nature speaks of beauty, of hope, of
lie. For them the glorious sun is shin.
Ing, and dew-drops'glittcr in his rays; yes,
even IN the crowded city a little patch of
grass or climbing vine will make picture
Tor their eyes-a picture where light and
shadow and reflected lights-ch iaroscuro
and points of brilliancy-arenotw wanting;
where even bizarre and incongruous ar
chltecture is softened and mellowed by
the misty atmosphere into stately pic
turesqueness, while the thronging, NOV
ing human forms constantly appeal to the
imagination and the heart
Such one-the owner of educated
eyes-on journey, is like child; all
thlngs are new, all beautiful. Shut him
into crowded ships cabin during
storm, and while others are fretting mis-.
erably he will spend a pleasant hour in
admlrlng the delicate complexion of a
girl, whose rounded cheek displays the
rose and lily blended, that the old poets
were so fond of describing; or the silken
tresses, like spun gold, or like the glossy
raven $ wing, of some fair lady. Put him
on deck IN the same storm, and the terri
Die subllmity of air and ocean will fill his
spirit with unspeakable emotion. He
"anders over desolate moorland where
another would feel solitary indeed, and
reJolces in the soft, broad stretches of