New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-10-30

, one very deeply, it was in a more rugged age
living. inspiring influence, and the squeamish-
ness is not poetical, because poetry was nobler,
infinitely more tender, more human, and also
more divine when manners were what we should
call rough and conversation was what we might
complain OF as coarse. If, for instance, we
nave nothing blunt and uncompromising in
our daily literature as some of the language in
Shakespeare we have nothing magnificent
his flights into pure and eternally true idealism.
Browning sought by clashng syllables to give
the clash of life; he made no concession to the
sentimentalist. but he had to regard the pref
udices of fashion. He was obliged to leave
much unsaid. His most powerful studies of men
and women are examples of partial pOrtraiture.
He presents to perfection q human mood, where
Shakespeare even Fielding, gives us, to per-
lection also, a human being. Rudyard Kipling,
by the contrast of slang with scenery, does his
utmost TO make life IT is lived more tolerabe
TO the imagination of the cultured. For instance.
ne VIII give US word painting which conveys
almost as nearly Wagnerian music conveys
the grandeur and color and form and beauty of
the visible world; then he will introduce per-
haps, squalid incident, and hi or heroine
will use expressions which are associated
wrongly, think, with the stable yard and the
barrack room.
This method, which is clearly intentional has
been called Earring by many critics. and it is
perhaps one reason why hear that his works
are more popular with men than with women
readers But the difference between the old
plain vigor and the mock delicacy is much
more radical than any ephemeral question of
what is and what is refined. Actual CONVEX
Stations in modern society are often quite as
coarse as anything in classical literature: quite
moirs OF any period, far coarser in subtlety than
many Of the illusions which objected to in
restoration comedy. We may recoil from print
ed coarseness, but the spoken word is freely ad-
mitted in very polished circles. / like the
preston polished" as applied to a set cir
Gle. 1t suggests an unnatural state; timber, for
instance. tormented into glassiness. The truth
is that healthy men and women are not so dis
gusted with life as so many earnest but highly
strung persons too often assume. This is why
great schemes for the ameioration of society
do not get immediate support: this Is why II is
so difficult TO introduce reformations and organ
lie revolts, and this is why one hears such bitter
complaints from jealous workers that people do
not want TO be helped or saved. They say they
quite comfortable as they are In the
Gos the greatest happiness Of the greatest
number" was considered very generous and
humane policy. But it is now admitted that the
end and aim of modern socialism is earthly en-
Joyment for all it is pleasure. incessant pleasure
that all seek
But the providing of enjoyment for all is not
q question of legislature. The young may pay
a great price for their amusements. yet let il
be always remembered. they pay il without
murnur, theV pay sweetly and patiently for
their little dances and inery. they make their
sacrifices cheerfully. they have instructive
philosophy which they cannot formulate. but
when the pains and responsibilities of life sur
prise them they show, a rule. a courage
which puts professional sufferers to shame Rv
professional sufferers l mean any person who
has great self-knowledge consummate gift
for its expression IN language, and an abnormal
talent for feeling discomforts and discovering
the ugly The professional sufferer therefore
Is not representative; he may feel more for
otners than they feel for themselves: he may
tnlnk very beautiful thoughts, but perhaps too
many Of them about himself; he may see visions
Tar OF which entrance him, but which would
leave others singularly cold; he may condemn
as FOOLISH or atrocious degrading many ac-
lions which most of regard in an opposite
hight. This being the case, I hone I shall not
alarm kind parents and guardians II I saw that
L do not think We pay enough attention 10
the views of the Young. They will have
amusement; the marry for love; they fall i'm
love and out Of 1t: they do not think enough
about their souls. and they take their bodies
Tor granted; tney spend every penny they can
get they DO not consider the morrow. and when
they read they often read novels which are r.
the experienced grotesque and to the educated
unreliable. They are tiresome when they are
asked 10 follow the meditatious of St Tgna-
tlus and the works of Count Tolstoy and other
great writers make them, they tell me drearv