The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-10-21

flowed in ever broader and deeper food. until
now il waters the whole civilized globe. IL
bears upon it's bosom religion, Law and art. aud
offers ~draugnts from all the great thinkers OF
the world tn our thirsty souls.
Writing, il is said, is the art preservstive, and
this il true in more than one sense. The book,
indeed, preserves the authors thought: but %
goes further. it often confers q shadowy immor-
tality by n dedication; 1t perpetuates the record
of the deeds of warriors and statesmen; il throws
a charm about its authors name, his workshop.
his career, his friends and his grave. Strike out
the literary illusions In Bsedeker and who would
prize the book2 It is the literary landmarks
that endure. We cast a curious eye upon the
cross-lecped crusaders in the temple church,
read of their stature, strength and mighty deeds,
and pass YEARLY on; but at the grave OF Gold
smith. lust outside the wall, We seat ourselves
and mediate. And yet the crusaders were
greater men 10 their time than Goldsmith was in
his. In the rich old hall Of the middle temple We
fnc a thousand names eograven on the walls; q
dozen marble bcsts arranged about; but the eye
is clos ed to them all. and we listen TO catch the
lingering tones of sweet Viola, which have
haunted the venerable room since the first per-
Torrance OF Twelfth Night was given on its
stage.
MANY illustrations Of the ~fraternal spirit In
literature arise without seeking. The literary
club. which existed IN some form In Athens aud
in Rome. has fourished down to our own time,
and of one In our own city our honored guest 10
an houored member.
The literary academy Is the club on q larger
scale.
The university is a fraternity of scholars, and
the line between scholarship and literature Is
often passed. The fairest spot IN the fairest
college of venerable Oxford is still known a.
Add,son's walk.
The American Association Of Writers
is conspicuous to all our minds tonight.
| would not embitter this happy con- psny by
the introduction of politics, yet / will venture
to throw out the query whether or not 10 liter
allure We are troubled by a "surplus." And in
view OF q recent case in New York in which Q
parish was made to pay a heavy fine for import.
Ing a clergyman, the question may arise whether
We have free trade in poets. The frequent eff
forts TO remove the dnty on works of art would
hardly favor them. A poet cannot be called a
work of art. as we all know that he is born, not
made. The case for international copyright is
well put, / think. by Mr.. Lowell. who remarks
that as authors are permitted to wear lsurels On
their brows. they ought no less TO be allowed TO
browse upon their laursls.
If this argument. or anything else in my re-
marks, seems inconclusive, you will please
remember that no one in his senses
wants TO have anything proved in
an after-dinuer toast. any more than on the
Fourth OF July. The man who calls for proof
may know by that token that he is out Of place.
Dir. Lathrop very prettiiy says of Hawthorne:
"From amid a simple. practical, energetic communi-
", remarkable for its activity in affairs of state and
religion, but by no means given to dreaming. this far
enough. breaking the cold New England sod for tho
emission of a light and fragrance as pure and pensive
as that of the arbutus in our woods in spring
May We not, by the simple substitution OF ain
diana for Now England, ~ apply the passage to
the poet whom we greet tonight And from
whom should the word of praise be more well
come than from Us who know him in his daily
walksl
1.-THE style is the man. says Button. If this
be true, what a charming man our friend must