The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-02-01

y
teristic of pumps.
No star shines with so clear and impos.
ing lUstre as that OF accurate knowledge,
but knowledge cannot be taken all at once
like pill, and its highest point is an emil.
nence beyond the each of many struggling
souls. To attempt to conhne an ardent,
but perhaps an undefended nature, within
the region of demonstrated facts, is a pro-
ceeding certainly unnecessary, possibly
cruel. 1t is alwsys agreeable
TO HEAR THE "GoDs'
enthuse when Claude Melnotte- Mourier
outbids 'yon sordid huckster for that
priceless jewel. The delight of seeing the
best man win, anc the interest in the re-
ward OF merit, is quite human, and al.
though little crude. altogether decidedly
pleasant. The fact that the pocketbook so
literally handled contains blank paper,
and that the priceless eEeln is, perhaps,
the wife of the uninteressed notary, does
not diminish the beneficial effect of the
sentiment. They reyel in the illusion OF
the scene. They are not concerned with
the actors except as the necessary instru-
ments 10 the effect produced, The more
profoundly people believe in the posslbili-
~ of the exalted standard of human vir-
tue often wildly portrayed on the stage,
the N ore likely are they to approximate
that perfection. The more the goblet of
life is wreatbed with the flowers of fancy.
the more nourishing and beneficial will
tEe contents be. That little
OLD FELLOW IN THE GALLERY,
in his worn and shabby coat has never,
probably, passed beyond the line of his
own narrow groove. Limited in resources,
bachelor, perhaps sewing on his own but
tons by means Of a darning needle and a
piece of linen thread, he is a fair illustra-
ton of victim of the commonplace. Bat
tonight he has wandered through the
streets of Verona, feasted with the Capu-
let's, and Joined in the designations of ro-
mantle high life without malice aud with
out remorse. His scope of thought Is
widened, and monotony is conquered for
q while. The soft music, the changing
lights, the beauty of the pageant, haunt
his memory for many days, and are food
of a delicate ana satisfying nature to his
poorly.fe mind. Certainly, my luxurious
friend Of the Union League, you could not
appreciate the enormous benefit of mild
spree by proxy for q dollar, but amuse-
ments should be considered on Benthamite
principles, and you, with your lavish op.
portunities, represent the minority. II the
stage can, even for an hour shed variety
and innocent pleasure into dreary lives,
its mission is most honestly fulfilled. II,
in so doing, it also adds practica instruc.
ton, then welcome is the Information So
conveyed, but such benefits are no. ohjsc.
tive, but are accessory. There is no urgent
necessity 10 improve humanity on Grad
grind principles, and x there is, the stage
has not secured the contract to DO il. Many
would keep the face of Isis covered, If,
when revealed, they ghzsd upon q c0rpas.
II is difficult in so abrupt a reference 10
such subject to escape misconstrucsion
II should not appear that this ASSUMPTION
of the purpose OF the drama is an affront
to the dignity of the art, or a deterioration
OF its value. Victor Hugo did not bluuder
when be said, The beautiful is as useful
as the usefnl, perhaps more So"
''FoT all that we witness OF beauty
All grandeur affecting us most,
Passes into eternal possession
And Can neYermore be lost"
TITrraN OrCoTT