The University daily. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 18??-????, 1883-06-11
JUNIOR { EXHIBITION.
synopsis Of Performances DEE
liyei.ed nj the w. Va. Uni.
VersitY. Thursday Even.
ing, February 22nd 50.
THE MAN OF LITERATURE,
BIZ w. F. ANDERSON.

I worlds history leadership has been
conferred upon different classes Of
men: Priest, prophet, orator and
soldier have had their days Of popu-
larity, and as each has accomplished
his mission, he has given place to
one better fitted to meet the demands
and supply the wants Of the progress
Nsive man. The work, and to large
extent the fame of each, have been
limited to his own time and country,
hence his influence has been in the
man, temporal and local.
Among the most potent factors in
tho Ndeyelopement Of the worlds
/ civilization is the man Of literature.
He differs from all others in the wider
extent Of his influence and the more
permanent character of his work.
Instead Of decades and sections his
era is centuries and his field Of
operations the civilized world. To
him has been given the undisputed
right of leadership almost to the pres
ent time. The pre- eminent popular
! ity which the literary man has en-
loyed stands without q parallel in
the history Of any other profession.
The retention of homage of his fell
low men for so long time would
MISUNDERSTANDING merit, and we
claim that it does signify command
ing superiority. His influence for
good upon the world entities him to
q place second to none. The work
fofthe ancient man Of letters inrthes
restoration and preservation of the
seIFeet texts of tIe ola md New
- Il Slf aatcld sluo md
lneiiss sincere gratitude eof alla
mankind When nations have
been arrayed against each other,
when countries have been rent BIZ
civil discord, when vice, crime, ig-
norance and superstition have pre-
vailed, the better. class ofwriters have
labored together to obliterate these
pc Tversities, by commencing the pure
and the noble and by deprecating
the impure and the degrading. Thus
they have elevated the standard Of,
public opinion and have stimulated
the people to virtuous action. When
traditions, laws, customs and ip-
situations have been sinking into
/ oblivion, the magic pen of author
tandspoet has been employed to trans
init in enduring and attractive form
the heroic deeds and worthy achieve
ments Of ancestors to. their remote
posterity None will deny that this
philanthropist has been a power in
eleTating efhuman race to the high
state of civilization and Culture which
exists today. A comparison Of for
mer authors with those Of later times
is not too favorable to our own age.
The epicslo Of Homer and Milton, the
dramas Of Shakespeare, the philo-
sophical writings Of Pascal and Ba-
con were written, not for money, but
ITO crafty a strong inward desire
TO fulfil an appreciated duty, to in
troduce great ideas and to accomplish
q work beneficial to mankind. On
the other hand the modern literary
man has no special object in view
beyond the remuneration he may re-
ceiye for his work. The earliest
writer's unselfishly gave to the world
the best results % brain and mind
that others might through them, live
nobler and worthier lives, while their
modern successors write chiefly that
they, themselves, may live. A good
reason may be urged for his,intensfy
practical view Of. his profession
in the fact that there Is not the op.
portunity for immortal fame ii this.
direction that there once Nas. The
- = %ARf .N4 Z, 1.
field Of thought has been % thorough,
III searched, and different shades ",
feeling % beautifully and s.. -, u,