The herald., 1896-12-06

great nation to which we belong. yet, At
the same time, we may recognize with
equal clearness the desirability of be-
coming socially and intellectually inde-
pendent In order that, freed from the
Intellectual SubServiency of the colonial
state, we may rise Independently to par
;icipate in the thought of the world and
! count no community as our feudal su-
perior and such position may be
achieved by the Society of California
versity which will satisfy the highest
| educational demands of the age
Possessing the physical qualities Of
Greece, Italy and Spain, California
seems to suggest the development of
such a culture as has given southern
Europe its high rank in civilization. All
! the external conditions are present, the
infinite variety of hills and mountains
and valleys, the delicate shades of col
oring on cliff and field and sea- and over
all the mildness of a semi-tropical sky
Under the severe conditions of northern
Europe. the higher forms of art are al
most confined to literature and music.
but the warmer regions of the south
creative genius finds a more varied ex-
preston and manifests itself not only
in music and literature, but also in the
richer forms of painting and sculp-
ture. BY its physical environment,
therefore, the population of California is
apparently destined. in later genera
lions, to stand as conspicuous repre-
sentative of the worlds finer cultivation
and artistic achievement. In or,Nr that
this supreme goal of national ambition
may De reached here, it only remains
that man should contribute his part in
tne accomplishment of the purpose in
oicated by nature. And of all the forces
that have worked, or may be expected to
work, to the attainment of this end.
none is more powerful than that which
may proceed. either directly or Indirect
~ from the university The university
py help1ng to make a higher standard
oL %. educational achievement current in
the commonwealth stimulates the local
schooIs to cooperate in this undertake
ing. Inc higher standard of knoWledge.
dlscipl1ne and taste will impose upon
the creative genius of Californians the
Necessity or more perfect expression.
othe whhesHer IN literature, painting or any
otner Iorm OF art. 1t is not to be supposed
tnat the products of scientific ACTIVITY
Will al proceed from the university hmt
the standard of knowledge and critical
Juosment established in the community
.nrough the leading influence of that in
stitutlon Will determine which of these
products will be approved and rescued
from oollvion and transmitted to foster
the taste OF coming generations. II is
oy these products that our rank as
eNiIiHed community is ultimately to be
nAeo, ana decision rendered as to how
enlightened community.
IN view or our physical conditions, and
tne history of the higher forms of ar
tlstlc cultivation in lands of a similar
nature 1t is not extravagant to expect
tnat the artistic life of this nation viii
cuiminate In California. But to insure
this result it will be necessary that nuh-
lie instruction shall provide not oniv
nlgh standard of general knowledge in
the community, but also a. certain
amount of technical knowledge in the
arts whose development is here antici-
pated The brilliant period Of artistic
creation in Greece did not come without
conscious effort directed to laborious
preparation for the great achievements
Ihe brilliant period of artistic creation
IN Italy was attended by opportunities
Tor instruction in painting and sculp-
ture which few other ages of the world
have enjoyed. Already a beginning
along similar lines has been made here
In the school Of art affiliated with the
university, which will necessarily ex-
pand with the growth of the state and
the expansion of the university; and the
higher production of the artistic talents
here cultivated will stand, as stood the
masterpieces of Grecian and Italian |
work, to teach the unschooled and lift |
the tone of cultiva1 ON In the whole peo-
pie. The ordinary Greek who went to
his daily toll in the presence of the great |
monuments of the artistic genius Of his |
nation. acquired unconsciously, from OBJ
servation of these works, a degree of
taste which will never come to those who
dwell on the fiat lands and in the ugly
cities OF the Mississippi valley. And the
citizens Of Florence. for whom the mas
terpieces of italian art were constantly |
In view, were subject continually to a
refining influence. Moreover, the day Is |
not far distant when there will arise on
the magnificent site of the University of |
California group of buildings emhody-
ing the highest available architectural |
skill and taste. under the influence of |
which thousands Of young men and |
young women of this state, in the coming |
decades. will silently receive some meas
ure of artistic cultivation, and be taught |
to- appreciate. the nobler forms OF archi-
tecturla art. Then the university will |
teach not only through the lips of its
professors, but also through the beauti-
full and imposing forms in which its
spirit shall have found physical express
sion