Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1903-12-09
Criticism.
(By Chas. F. Leppert of Sacred Heart CoIlege.)

the word from which it is derived.
This word is criterion-a standard of
Judgment. A standard of excellence
is necessary, otherwise there could be
no breaches. Just the same as in law
If there were no code, there
could be no rules to break; hence, no
legal proceedings. Further, Alexander
Pope and Dean Swift ha0 alterations
which resulted in a true insight into
real criticism. Pope, though we'll
touched the sensitiveness of
Swift. The latter retaliated Pope
replied-and today we have the i'm
mortal Essay on Criticism.
"Of all causes which conspire to blind
Mans erring judgment, and misguide the
mind,
What the weak head with strongest bias rules,
Is pride, the never falling vice of fools.
Pride where wit fails comes to our defense
And fills up all the mighty void of sense.
II once right reason drives that cloud away
Truth breaks upou us with resistless day."
Trust not yourself; but, your defects to know
Make use of every friend-and every foe."
"Fear not the anger of the wise to raise
Those best can bear reproof no merit praise"
Pope tells us very clearly, what is
understood by criticism-"'Tis our
selves to know When the above
lines were written improvement was
intended in this, that false opinion had
to be righted.
Showing defects las defects" and
pointing out remedies is true criticism,
because this is the only method to
make positive improvement. Anyone
who refuses to acquiesce in this is un-
willing to improve; hence, criticism is
worse than useless since it creates a
rancor that ulcerates wounded pride
That persuasions be crouched in ex-
pressions as not to offend feelings" is
not sanctioned by Pope. He was not
sinless; but let US hope his opinion is
worth having. This idea, if carried
out, would necessitate the knowledge
of the character and the dispositions
of the writer. In most instances this
would be utterly impossible. The
sole aim in criticism is to s.tell the
truth and nothing but the truth" It's
aim is not to depict the beauties of
English.
This would be misjudging the read
ers' ability; it would be lessening the
authors prestige and placing the
would-be critic on a par with him
thus placing the cart before the horse.
A sensitive writer whose efforts are
judged will depreciate, or
even resent his critics attempts; for he
imagines himself above reproach.
Such one desires to be apprized of
the gems that might be found, and
that these gems cover ''the multitude
Of SINS" None of us is above reproach.
Concerning those who are so far above
the ''lesser elements" distinction
may be made. This should be exempt
from petty chickering's. Great minds
are more anxious to know their faults,
than have their virtues praised. The
halo of Fame wonld not be tarnished
ho Af
some who bid for fame or, perchance,
hero-worship. These are the ones
who seriously object to knowing their
shortcomings, not to speak OF faults.
Ostrich-like, they blinded to their own
advantages do not wish to be seen in
the light of truth, because they don't
wish to see. For this class, criticism
IS beyond the question of a doubt, a
it is for the truth-loving,
and ambitious writer
A critic, who has but honeyed words
'or "wanting" beginners, or, for
that matter, for the ''tried and found
wanting" is enormously inclined and
lends only to injure the best interests
If the writer who is simply blindfolded
oy deception and swelled by fattery.
Profitable authorship or essay writ |
ng should noo be aimed at personali- |
lies but at offended truth whether in |
English or otherwise.
Criticism should never be confound-
d with fattery. 1t should be truth |
lnmixed. Though it may be bitter
Medicine, it is better to drink the bit
er draught and be cured, than please
he palate by the sweets OF hattery and
lie the literary death OF forgetfulness.
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