The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-03-10
JUDGE WILLIS ON ART.
Interesting Lecture Delivered Under
the Auspices of the ST. Paul
Palette Club.

The assembly room Of the Hum boldt
school was filed last night for the mus
fcal and literary entertainment given
under the auspices Of the St Paul
Palette club Not only the leading peo-
pie Of West st. Paul were present, but
number of people went over from
here to listen to the really interesting
programme given.
The leading feature was the talk de-
livered by Judge John w. Willis, of the
district court, on 1.-The Fundamental
Principles Of Art" The judge treated
his subject in a simple manner, and
the members of the club who We're
present listened with much attention
to the end. The judge said in part:
Mature is the term which indicates
our conception of all that presents it
self to human perception, that does not
find it's origin in human effort. In the
entire realm of nature man is the only
being who is conscious of the majesty
of nature. He rea sons upon his en-
vfronment. He becomes awed by ma
ture. He seeks to reproduce by his
own acts the impressions which nature
prints upon his consciousness. Thus
art begins.
art, in it's generic sense, means to
do, the word art being derived from a
Greek verb which has that radical
meaning. The gradual restriction of
the term art to aesthetic affairs proves
that the fire arts are considered by the
common judgment of mankind to be
the grandeSt form of human effort. Art
aids nature. Art, while true to nature
should never reach the degenerate
stage, and should not lead to misun-
derstanding Of it's best meaning. When
art ceases to ennoble it ceases to be a
blessing, but is rather a curse.
"All fads tending to degenerate art
must be eliminated or the fundamental
principles of art are distorted or lost
sight of altogether
art portrays the might and majesty
Of God, and the fact that art is en-
nObling may be shown by a circum-
stance that is significant. The mystic
forces, the vague unintelligent ideas of
divinity wrought with a solemn sense
of higher power, are shown in re-
ligious thought as carried out in tenn
pies of Worship
Judge Willis went at some length into
the Platonic and Aristotelian theories Of
aesthetics, and his remarks evidenced
an intimate acquaintance with his sub
ject.
He spoke of Christian art and char
acteriZed 1t as the field in which the
better minds of today dwell. He urged
that those people who appreciate art
must resent the Indifference with which
it is sometimes considered in these
times. He paid his respects to the real
lists, and contended that real art was
too beautiful and magnificent to be
subordinated to the view of those who
called themselves realiSts.
In conclusion he added that art is a
sublime influence whose true principles
should sink into the heart and animate
the mind of every man, bringing with
it better and firmer appreciation of
the maker.
In addition to the talk on art, Prof
N. R. Brewer gave a stereopticon lee
ture, throwing upon a big screen re-
productions of the Old and modern mas
ters, some forty in number. He spoke
at length of each.
Miss Clara Slotterbec gave dramat
ic reading and there were some very
excellent musical selections given by a
band of youthful musicians called the
Hope Junior symphony.