Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1880-06-17
UNCLE DANIEL ON POETRY.
He Dsnos.ees the ssun Onen Pub.
lished ~ Poetry, asd Gives
Advice 20 Publishers or hsws-
papers.

"Do I like poetry 2" repeated Uncle
Daniel in reply to the same question
asked by the writer. "Do I like the
music OF q waterfall. or that OF the
winds as they stir the trsstops In sum.
mer when Nature is painting under the
heat Of the MONDAY sun 2 Do I like the
music Of the roar Of old ocean when
her waves dash upon q rock.bound
shore? Yes, I am passionstely fond Of
poetry, whether heard in Nature around
me, or read from the printed page. But
perhaps your ideas Of poetry and mine
may not agree. Poetry to me 10 some
thing almost beyond description. I
know II when I hear IL. or when I read
II, a. we feel the shock OF electricity
without having Q clear understanding Of
its philosophy. but I might as well
attempt to describe the subtle processes
OF thought. or to fully define the philos-
ophy Of light, a. to undertake to tell
what poetry 10. Poetry 10 born with
mon, and, unless Il 10 an element OF
ones nature, not all the tesshings Of the
schools can at one TO write poetry.
"I ian tell you what 10 not poetry,
however, but perhaps you may not care
to hear. You have published In the
News 30 much stuff which has borne the
label OF poetry, and which has not pos
sessed even q spark OF the genuine article,
that I fear you will not thank me for my
opinion OF II. You seem to think that
mere rhyme and jingle and measured
feet mako poetry. A very great mis-
taksl Why, my dear sir. you have not
published in the NEws for q year past
more than one or two pieces OF original
poetry. I know you have Published
much rhyming stun. yes. sir. stuff; but,
according to my recollection, not more
than n or two pieces OF original
poetry. To illustrate my meaning. per.
init me TO refer to q saying OF Victor
Hugo, the celebrated French author and
poet. Hugo. when asked II II was .
difficult thing to write good poetry. said:
NO, II one can write poetry at oil he
can write good poetry meaning that all
poetry must bs good.
"You SEQ, sir. that mere jingle In
Hugo's opinion 10 not poetry. Poetry
is o. far beyond the comprehension and
| capacity OF mere rhymsters as the deli
| cate tints OF q Raphael or . Rubens are
beyond the capacity OF q common house
painter. There arc, no doubt, poets In
Nevada, but I have never known but q
and hs IL now editor Of o paper in Utah.
"But stop sir. do not attempt to leave
until I have finished. You opened the
discussion Of this question. and you
must hear me through. I'm not going
to let you of 10 easily. ! hold that by
the continued publication OF such vile
stuff a. has been published In the News
under the name Of poetry you have done
the world Of letters an irreparabls injury.
You have not only perverted the literary
taste OF the younger portion Of the read.
ers OF the News. but you havs encouraged
idleness and shittlessness In your con-
tributors. But for you, your sentimsn.
tai female and spooney male contributors
OF poetry (?) might have been ploughing
or sowing or reaping. or attending to
household duties. and consequently in
the way Of woll doing. when they were
writing rhyming stuff. at for nothing
but to show their complete lack
OF the divine afiatus, as we'll
az O lack OF knowledge OF what consi.
tutss poetry. Your offensss, sir, are
rank, and nothing but psnanoe and .
promise to do better can obtain absolu.
ton for you. And, take my advice; In
future publish nothing bearing the name
Of poetry that does not deserve that
name, unless a. Q business proposition
at ten cents . line. By following this
advice you will help to preserve the
peace Of families, benefit tho treasury OF
your institution, and merit . crown OF
glory in that land where pure poetry Ii
sung to the music OF golden harps."