Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-04-17

Observations OF a Philosophical Friend
Of Ours)

"re cum habita-"-Perseus.
"sir. stay at home. and take an old
mans counsel"
James, the Apostle, was a most pracu-
cal and observing man. His epistle is
the plainest and strongest sense, human
and divine He compares the theoilst
and visionary to a man who beholds his
natural face in d glass, and straightway
| forgets what manner of man he was.
| The reflection does not suit himself: lie
is not what he would like to be: and 50
he gives his attention 10 being something
| else. and forgets how he really looks
| and is Isn't it likely this self-oblivion
and Identifying ourself with another one
is the secret Of the pleasure we take in
| novel reading? 1t is not only the OBJ
| iective study or contemplation Of the
| hero, and our interest in his doings and
what befalls him: but it is the being
that person and suffering his sufferings.
enjoying his enjoyments and triumphs
that pleases US. Our own life is duh and
stupid: The life we live in the hero or
heroine, IS alive bright, heroic, and
| charming. IN reading fiction, We inebriate
ourselves with 1t, and live fictitious lives
entire substitutes for our undressing
round. our earthly tabernacle IS never
occupied by the true and real proprietor
II is. for the most part neglected: and IS
seldom, on its own account pleasing. \
large portion Of US are only human
shows. We are run By what IS called
life. instead of steam or electricity: we
have no personality or individuality. We
don't grow or produce anything. We are
taught social and conventional tricks, and
We play our parts. All the men and
women are but actors. And We are per-
fectly satisfied II We can be applauded
for our acting. The best and highest
dramatic art is that which uses the
sacredest and profoundest passions and
emotions Of the soul for the entertain
ment Of the crowd. And what is left
OF the man or woman when the soul i.
given up to art? They are disposed Of
They are turned wrong side out.
Some have objected TO dramatic art or
5 this very account that it not only de-
stroys true manhood and womanhood II
! the player himself. but that IL cultlyate'
q acting I'm the general world, and make.
5 common tho love OF the heroic and spec
81 tacular-just as novel reading cultivate
] | lives of fancy: that the drama and Actlo.
= entertain, minister to, and magnify
e the lust Of the flesh, the lust Of the eyes
and the pride of life: the outside. tn
d superficial man, instead Of the heart an'
l soul and real life.
q But our natural parts and our indi
|
e this world. We are either dissatisfied
Z with ourselves as God has made Us, ant
= try 10 substitute something for our poo
5 gifts or We oyerestimate ourselves an
T waste our longings and efforts on thing
d beyond US We are too small or 10
L large for ourselves: see ourselves in a
artificial coloring, paint ourselves red o
j. sombre: and are altogether unwilling I
: take our chances with the hucs that over
y spread US from the spring Of being with
q US. the heart: that makes us right o
! wrong. 1t is really a pitiful thing 10 Sc
! how, when We take our cases in our ow
. hands. We do wrong or patch and botcl
:, compress or distort ourselves outward
. and inwardly. The mOnstrositles int
-. which the beautiful and graceful natura
= shape OF i woman. or the honorable Iori
- OF a man, is converted, are deplordbN
:, And yet they are nothing compared VIII
, | the impOSltlOnS ana ul.uSultlitlA-9
! which the heart and mind are subjected
81 What a wretched thing Is a distorted an
& perverted heart and mind, deforme
e soul! And yet we meet these miseraO
n caricatures Of humanty-self-made me
lie and women. or tabernacle, or schoo
lie made manufactures constantly. Con
ID paring themselves with themselves the
- are not wise: are turning their naluI'
10 selves out OF doors-they arc clouds an
l. wind without rain. They are mel
10 curios: with nothing live or interesui
Is about them.
& An honest man the world all Ger
es king OF men for a that. the man
Id woman who is content 10 be honest
mean the thing he says: not DO or -
IS something absurd just TO prove
n honesty, as q drunken man Goes 20 pro-
Of he is sober. Such man OF VIVA. -,
T. always acceptable and agresapie.
h. French call II naivste. which is the nea