The Arkansaw traveler. (Little Rock, Ark.) 1882-1???, 1883-04-07
THE BRIGHT AND THE DARK.

Ralph Waldo Emerson. in speaking OF
book, said that it was CHASTITY. and not
calculated TO make life more pleasant,
but tended to life's depression. He
thought that every cheerful sentence de-
served thanks at the hands of the public.
but tina, every idea expressed in view of
causing the world to remember its sor-
rows instead Of its joys. was an actual in
jury rather than a help to mankind. This
is the true philosophy Of literary life. II
is the man who can tighten rather than
the man who can increase the burden of
life. who benefits the human family
The man who discourages good humor
is not friend TO the public. He is the
spinal meningitis of society's anatomy.
He would rather tell bad than cheering
news He would walk a mile to speak
10 a friend Of a fault. but would no, turn
around TO tell him of a virtue Nearly
every man can lead brighter life
Many and many time do we discourage
eheerfalness. Here the humorous paper
comes in 10 discharge its mission. Its
editor. whether he feels buoyant or de-
pressed. strains every nerve OF cheerful
intellectually TO cause people to smile.
He may fail. He may not change the
countenance of the man whe is deter
raned to be cynical. but with half the
effor, on the part OF the public a, lar ge.
society would soon find itself in more
healthy state. II is often said tina, the hu-
morous writer deserves no credi, for his
work because pleasantly is an easier style
OF composition. This is mistake. II
IS harder. Nearly any man can write
column OF facts. Statistics are within the
reach OF every one; but humorous inven-
ton requires ceaseless study. In humor-
Gus writing lack of originality is imme-
diately discovered and consequently con-
iemned. In ma,ter-of-faet work. the
same basis is used time and again with
out the leas, exhibition of being worked
over
/; is said :ha; the ME of the hunorist
IS short. SO much the better for him. The
majority of writers live 100 long: live
long and accomplish nothing The
grea, writer speculates upon the existence
which is 10 come. He reasons ike a
sage from school boy foundation.
People speak of the wonderful work he
is performing. He establishes philos-
ophy which is all speculation. He writes
grea, gloomy sentences. He wants to
show you that life is much more serious
han you have supposed i, to be- When
ne dies the people says that great man
has gone
The humorist has no particular philoso-
ply. His belief is in the faith that every
thing will come on, as nearly right as
possible. He tries to turn up rather than
20 turn down the light. He would rather
see smile than i frown He would
rather see light hearted common people
than heavy hearted sages. With him
everything has a pearl as well as an ebon
side. When he dies, the people say.
Well. the poor fellow is gone
They do not think OF the work
he has performed. They cannot
trace to him any heavy work He
has made them feel better. but they
do no, remember him nearly so
long as they do the man who has made
them feel worse
Emerson left heavy thought. Gold is
heavy. bu, it is bright. Every though,
of the great man. properly uuderstood<
tended toward elevation. When he
made man dissatisfied with his station
IN life. he showed him how he could bet
ter it. He hao nigh and strong sense
of humor. and his humor made every one
who read i, feel a sense OF elevation.