Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-02-20
PRES. BUTLER
Not At All Disturbed by
Boston Press Criticisms
On Recent Address Before the School,
masters Club in That City.
Willing That They Should Cr'tcise and Still
Firm in Position.

Waterville, Feb. 19.-(SpcciaD.-Thc
criticisms of President Buffers address
delivered in Boston, last Friday and as
published in the Boston papers Of Sunday,
having attracted such widespread atten-
ton, the subject still going the rounds,
and DR.. Butler remaining silent, the
Journal has sought to vary the monotony
of criticism to the spirit of reply, ana to
that end, Wednesday called upon DR.. But
Ter to learn what, if.anythirg, he had to
say upon the subject
President Butler appeared to be not in
the least disturbed over the comments of
the Boston press, but eyinccd pleasant
willingness to an interview. He allows
that the columns Of the newspapers are
the mediums of the greatest benefit to all
classes in the frank and honest discussion
of matters of Importance.
In reply to the question "How do YOU
account for the criticisms in the Boston
papers of last Sunday and later Of your
address of last Saturday DR.. Butler re
piled;
These comments arc due partly to
difference in opinion in reference to mat
tiers upon which men and women may
fairly differ, but more largely to the fact
that in every instance save one the opin
ions were expressed by those who did not
hear the address, but based their judge
ment upon the account printed IN the
Boston journal of Sunday morning. That
account was incomplete in one or two
vital particulars, and anyone forming his
Judgement of the address without a
knowledge of these omitted points would
receive an adverse impression of the doe
trines laid down.
The chief point of objection appears
to have been the estimate set upon Mrs.
Humphrey Ward book, entitled Robert
Elsmcre. The printed report repre-
scented that this book was classed
with THE Quick and the Dead.
She, and books by The Duchess. AS q
matter Of fact these books were classed
together expressly upon the one ground
that they were all temporary in value,
and therefore not to be classed rs litcra
ture. In this opinion several Of my most
strenuous critics concurred, ohiecting only
to the grouping of Robert Elsmerc with
these other books in all respects, but the
grouping was not done upon any other
basis than that of the want of permanent
and lasting value
This of course is not to say that nc
book is worthy OF careful reading, which
does not possess this quality no one
would say that we must hang upon oul
walls no pictures except those by the old
masters, or that we should enjoy no music
save that by the classical composers
Many books which do not attain NOR,
than temporary popularity arc undoubt
cdly of great value for IA time.
q" From the opinion expressed, that it i,
too severe and narrow Il definition OF
literature, to gay that the tern
applies only to that which lasts. I shoult
most strenuonsly differ, and III this posi-
tion | have the concurrence Of several Of
those who most earnestly objected to my
position on the point just discussed
1t may be regarded as point definitely
settled in literary criticism that the term
Literature is to be applied only to that
which for some reason survives the day
and time in which it was written.
g The objection that too severe and narrow
definition Of literature seemed to have
been laid down in my address proceeded
from Harvard, but on the other hand
hup" vi NJ IhIEt II4lI duu tAtlilNlNt
definition of literature than that which
has been furnished by the English &c
partment of Harvard University itS-lf
II have felt great interest in he com
ments which my address before the
Schoolmasters Club has called out.
am confident that only good can comc
of agitation among intelligent people
upon subjects of this kind. In view OF
the present widespread interest in jh,
study Of English nothing Is more TO be
desired than froc and franl, cXchargc OF
opinions leading to clear and correct
ideas"
DIR, Butler granted the above interview
Tor the sole purpose Of stating his position
10 the people ana was decidedly opposed
TO going into anything that would pro
yoke further discussion as thas lie will
not@entcr upon.