The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-05-06

in homely phrase as being nothing more
than the whistle or medium through which
come to us such ravishing strains OF
sInsers a are r pEesS BIRDS. We are fortunate
if we have one or two in a century. Physl-
clans who have had occasion to look mo
Nilsson and Parepa tell us that in the
formation Of their larynxes and vocal
Bower which enables such singers to hold
and thrill their audiences. / suppose that
the throat of a nightingale or a skyiark
is not constructed on the same plan as
that of the jackdaw or jay bird, and no
amount Of tongue splitting or training viii
enable jack or Jay 70 rival ms girted IeaI
10 the bird and excruciating TO others to
force him into such UNEQUAL and hopeless
trying to discourage the efforts Of young
poets. If they have the genuine gift IL will
reveal itself not only to themselves but to
sure that taey have 1t. Tt is pitiful,'. says
a French critic. to see so many volumes
Of poetry written item with fbs SO b much srouP Ses ana
where they have been nurtured and
caressed, into a world of indifference.
few great names, how much have they
written which lacks the element OF perma-
hence? Mr.. Arnold has done an immense
service to Wordsworth's fame by collecting
and condensing into one small volume most
of the poets work which is truly classic.
And Robert Browning, realizing, before he
died. that many readers would be appalled,
at the numerous volumes he had published,
had the wit to put In a eompact and con-
his productions. In all that L have been say
ing I realize what was said of Schlegels
criticism of Euripides-that one who enters
upon such a work should do it on Blended
knees; and so 1 feel in saying aught, by
way of f~aultfinding, Of the poets.
a There eon is one he e saiS;;ar r1"e TSey Save hem I'm
called the lazaretto poets. who, 1t has been
said. write as if they, were i'll; A COM
panion who, unsolicited, pours into your
ever well intentioned his efforts. does little to
mitigate the asperities of railway travel.
And the grooming poet who is always tell
ing us how miserable he T els. and is fer
ever trying TO analyze and explain t. MS
the pain he experiences in his ain insides,'
est esting to others. It Is said that nightingaies
sing sweeter for eating caterpillars, but
the nightingale doe, not sing about his
caterpillar diet. Shelley could say that:
Most wretched men
Are Graded into poetry by wrong,
They learn in suffering what they teach in
song
but when they sing their best they appeal
TO universal human experience, and do not
dilate Upon their personal grievances.
But must close; Il is my purpose to
airy taste. When and as long as we can
have the best, there is no excuse for fritz
tering away our time upon what is com,
mon and inferior. / am not concerned
about the fate OF our national literature
due time. If we cannot to-day point TO
much In the way or achievement, let us
consider that we are young. and that our
field OF opportunity is boundless. Above
all things. let us cultivate the habit of
keeping our minds open; let us be hospit-
ABLE and receptive TO all that is true, and
honest and pure, and lovely, and OF good
report: let US be unsparing in our condem-
nation OF what is false and meretricious.
Judgment says Rivarol. approves or con-
demns; taste enjoys. suffers, Its laws are
delicate and sacred It gives its vote upon
a glance OF the eye Its loves, its hates, its
enthusiasms. It's indignations are quick.
Men Of taste are the high justiciars of lit
erature; the spirit OF criticism is a spirit
or order. II knows the offenders against
good taste and carries them 10 the tri-
bunal of ridicule; IL Is ravished by beauty,
transported by the sublime and Is furious
against mediocrity.'