Middletown transcript., 1874-04-11
For the Transcript.
On the Value Of the Rare.

On the Value Of the Rare.
Familiarity breeds contempt" is an old
and well-worn aduge; SO old and we'll
worn as to have itself fallen into contem pt.
We Al e accustomed to smile somcw hat de-
risively at these trits sayings as only fit
for copy-books. But is this because they
have ceased to be true? Or is it not rath-
er that truth presented to US constantly
under the same aspect becomes common-
place. and is consequently little regarded.
It seems but seDseless ambition to be
the possessor Of objects. valuable solely on
account Of their rarity. independently of
any other quality intrinsic or extrinsic. A
unique copy Of an utterly useless book.
coin throwing no light upon history or art,
hideous piece of china that has happened
fortunately never to have been reproduced
these may be but the whimsical fancies
Of the collector.
Nevertheless, in rarity lies certain
value. The word rare" not only means
scarce, uncommon, bat also excellent, in
comparable; and the two meanings are
not SO dissimilar as at the first glance
would appear.
However humiliating the fact may be,
it is undoubtedly the case that the strange
forms one great element Of beauty We
have to be surprised into admiration and
If we think of it, this word is also con-
vertible. Wonder, surprise. and admir-.
alton, are words which. though often con-
founded, denote in our language sentiments
that are indeed allied" That which e,-
cites admiration in any degree, must also
excite wondcr-that is to say. in other
words, must be raised above the dead level
of commonplace.
Nature acts upon this law. as if aware
of the dulling Of our perceptions through
TOO constant use. She is niggardly of her
most splendid effects Ought we to re-
quire anything mere exquisite than the
sights daily before our eyes-thc pale blue
sky with its feecy cloudlets, or rounded
masses of countries, the fresh green Of the
fields, the lovely forms of the ordinary
weeds by the hcdgeside. the waving foliage
of the trees as the wind whispers through
its b:anches?
But simply because they are constantly
before US we give no heed to them; we re
quire the sky to be of deeper blue, the
clouds to be filled in stormy grandeur, or
bathed iu the glory of the setting sun, the
trees to be of giant growth, before we are
surprised into the exclamation. How beau
tiful! This air we breathe is SO COM
mon. We care not for it,"
Nature sets US the example of being
chary of ornament. For short time in
Spring she scatters her gay celors over the
earth with lavish hand, the fields are gol-
den with bnttcrcups; and in the Summer
is spread an azure carpet of hyacinths in
Autumn, again. mountain and heath glow
in hues of amber and purple. the trees don
a many tinted raiment-but soon this is
snatched away, before our eyes have time
to weary. 1t is but glimpse of bright
ness that is permitted to US aud then the
needfal change.
Thus decorations should be sparingly
used. The most exquisite combinations
of form and color become commonplace
aud cease to appeal to our feelings for the
beautiful, if they ara allowed to weary by
constant repetition. Simplicity. harmon
iousness, quetude. should prevail in our
ordinary surroundings; elaborate ornament
being always the exception.
In literature the same rule holds good
The poet, or even prose- writer, if he would
excite emotion in his readers, or rouse
their intellectual activity, must avoid CON-
monplace, and must bear in mind that the
choicest expressions. the most finely turned
phrases. lose their charms by too frequent
repetition. 1t is related of countryman
that after seeing Hamlet" performed, he
declared himself disappointed. at was
fine play" said he, " certainly; but
there were too many quotations" Who
does not sympathize with the poor man,
and feel that many tragic or pathetic
scene is almost marred from some phrase
or some line having been dinned into our
ears until it has become utterly common
place if not absurd? Who cares to be told
now that "a rose by any other name would
smell as sweet" or that "a custom may
be more honored in the breach than in the
observance? Who can forbear a smile
when the lines occur?
Notwithstanding the tastelsss and pc.
dantic manner in which quotations and ia.
miliar sayings in foreign languages are toe
frequently introduced in writing or speak.
ing. the desire to escape by any mean.
from the commonplace may justify theil
occasional use, even the quain,ness Of thu
Scotch or Irish dialect may catch the eal
and arrest the attention. where the sam,
sentiment expressed in ordinary Englisl
would be unheedingly passed over.
Safety is one Of the greatest evils o
life, as it has been said in ancient times
the power Of admiriug was the creates
blessing bestowed ON mankind The hab
itual tourist. year by year, visiting Italy
Switzerland. the Rhine or wherever hi
fancy may lead him, ceases to find deligh
| in yinc-clad hills. or snowv maintains a