The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-10-11
POEMS AND VACCINATIONS.

It is only a trite observation to point
out that we lose the use Of those powers
which we fall to exercise. The man with
his arm in a sling finds he has a weak
aim when it is taken out, and the man
with his head in the clouds Is VIGOROUSLY
Unfit for the exact reasoning of daily bus
iness. But how often do the smart bus
mess men or the deep thinking philoso-
piers pause to consider that they are
daily weakening by non-use one of the
most valuable and beautiful faculties Of
the human lind-the power of magma
ton. Even from hard and fast mercan-
tile standards. imagination has been Of
more value than any other asset that
man has, the religious instinct alone ex-
cepted. Every invention that the world
has seen, every discovery of new lands.
every advance in science, every step up
wards from the acorn-eatinG, fur-clad
savage to the civilized man of to-day, has
been the direct product of some, advanced
thinkers ina gination
1t pays to use the Imagination. 1t pays
to look at thoughts. whose value is in
the beauty of their imagination and the
truth of these statements has been proven
out of the mouths Of all sorts and condi-
tjcns of men,
In celebrated passage in his autobi-
ography. Charles Darwin says that in
looking back over his life he Is astounded
to note the change in his own attitude to-
ward music poetry and scenery. He said
that as child he read with interest and
delight the poets. especially Shakespeare,
but when he wrote his autobiogra ply he
rot only found no pleasure in such an
occupation but the reading Of poetry was
positively distasteful to him. Also his
love for music was entirely lost, and
while music used once to sooth and re-
fresh him, it seemed now only to excite
and stimulate his mind into further ef-
forts Even sunsets and scenery had lost
their charm. Indeed, said Mr.. Darwin,
my mind appears to be only a machine
for acquiring great numbers Of facts and
| grinding out general laws from them. II
| l had my life to live over again, should
| certainly make it my duty to read some
poetry and hear some music at least once
/ every week"
| Surely there could not be greater tr-
butte to the actual value of literature and
music than this tribute from this great
and over-mnstering genius in the field OF
science We recall that Matthew Arnold
says in one Of his letters: Though my
day had been very busy and firing.
read one hundred lines Of the Odyssey
before going to bed, just to keep my
mind from stagnation." Professor Charles
Elliott Norton says: Whatever your oc.
cupation may be, and however crowded
your hours with affairs, do not fail tc
secure at least few minutes every day
for refreshment of your inner life with
bit. Of poetry"
The Times Dispatch has. therefore. de-
cided to inaugurate the daily publication
of carefully selected piece of poetry
from the great masters of the world, ant
We urge upon our readers to avail them
selves of this opportunity to get the ben
eft OF communing with the great minds
of all ages. We would suggest that
scrap-book be kept In which these poem
car be placed, and 50 In the course o
time valuable and beautiful collection
OF poetry can be acquired But especially
do we urge upon our readers not to lie
day 90 by without giving some fey
minutes for the use Of those facult!e
which ordinary routine business does nc
call into play.
Every one cannot be Darwin In IT
ttlect, but If the spirit Is left uncare
for we can all become Darwin in OF
: lack of ability to appreciate and feel til
!. beautiful.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES