The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-05-14

the statue is bodied forth In marble the
thought OF the painting, in color, and
literature is bodied forth in language.
beautiful thought should be clothed in a
dress suitable to its simplicity, its ma1es-
~ or grandeur. In judging statue we
note its form, symmetry. proportion and
balance; in literature we note the skill in
construction, harmony of words, vivldness
OF illusions, appropriateness of suggestion,
rhythm and rhyme.
Literature, therefore, presents in a con-
crete form a theme OF universal interest,
ia an idealized form which appeals to the
emotions.
shall make brief application to tho
foregoing laws using Longfelow's poem,
| Excelsior as a basis
The first step should result In the pupils
getting a clear vivid picture of the bold
outline OF the story. Then he will reCog-
nize with a feeling of awe how great was
the courage OF the youth who. undaunted
by the darkness, the avalanche, the tenn
pest, and the roaring torrent, climbed TO
the top of the dangerous Alps. The pupil
will then discern that the youth showed
not only great physical courage, but sub
lime moral couraSs--hs could be per-
suaded neither by the old mans warning,
nor allured by the cleaning household
FIRE, nor enticed by the maidens tender
entreaties On, on he went until upon the
heights, even with the sacrifice OF his
| life. he planted the banner, with the
strange device Excelsior"
The second step should result in the
pupils seeing the significance of this dar-
ing deed would soon be lost. II there was
not deeper. more serious meaning to the
poem-the act would become foolhardy and
the youth crank. The pupil himself
feels there is more meant than meets
the eve" and seeks the hints that lie be-
N hA IL Ind hat lie dar
Ing, answering physical act typines a
daring, answering spiritual act He, too
has tried to climb Alps to reach the high.
est good OF his soul. but unlike the brave
I youth he has often been overcome by
thu trials, the dangers. the temptations
Here Is youth who is strong, who sacri-
fees his life for a principle.
The third step is to note the form and
the language in which this beautiful
thought is clothed and test II they are
adequate to the thought. The physical act
wae so difficult as to require the sacri-
fee Of life and the spiritual climbing re-
quires moral courage that will last tC
the very end. The physical act was bese
! with dangers, case, allurements, ana /.
our spiritual experiments the love OF ease
the seduotions of temptations and the dan
gers of insincerity are barriers in oul
way, The youth with his sad, earnest
! brow did not heed the old mans warning
and the maiden's fearful entreaties--lt Il
only by steadiness and persistency OF pur-
pose that we can climb to heights Of good
ness. The banner bore strange device
| written in an unknown tongue; this wa.
not unknown because It was Latin.
i because Excelsior" is not the customary
motto on the banner of life. The china,
is reached. not when the youth, faithful
to the last. plants his banner amid snow
and ice OF the Alps, but when voice, Xix,
a falling star, bears witness OF the youth.
triumph to the world. his life may hay,
seemed a failure as most men rank sue.
cess. but no life is lost built on self-re.
lance. determination and answering de.
yotion to principle.
Cara S. Redwood.