Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1903-08-21
ANGLES LETTER.
CrjtIclSm,

way"
Scientific criticism is an essential fac
tor in the advancement of the arts, |
general education, and civilization.
When we perceive that the critic can be
instructive, and destructive,
we understand the possibilities in his
vocation. If he is worthy-in every
way-of his high calling, the benefits
due to his influence are inestimable, and
may live through many ages. The
statement Given the best and highest
criticism is, after all, uncreative work
such as the world can do without" is
petulant nonsense. To the critics
knowledge of the materials, and the
style of inscription peculiar to cert ain
periods, is due much of the value of the
manuscripts, and other records, written
and otherwise inscribed upon tablets of
stone, metal, wax, brick and potsherds,
which have been from time to time un-
earthed and added to the collections of
antiquity. Without this information as
to the origin and purpose of the ancient
relics they would be, just rubbish. 1t
may be that the submitted deductions
of men of such learning have dis
tinct literary merit which makes the
volume as worthy of preservation as the
object of discussion. Another note
worthy example of the constructive
abilities of the critic is Ruskin's "Mod-
ern Painters" 1t is impossible to here
enumerate all the we'll known, and high
ly valued opinions of the master minds,
which have been concerned in the ad-
vancement of modern art the only
thing to be regretted is the scarcity of
such matter. The judgment of these
authors, rightly understood, is in itself
liberal education. Those who have
been successful in the criticism of
Shakespeare's works, have been Of the
greatest assistance to the less advanced
students of this revered poet who at
tanned to the sublime.
The real success of the critic depends
as in all other branches of art-upon
the motive for production. This should
be to support the principles of the
school he represents. He should be
positive, for his influence will be in
proportion to his enthusiasm and faith
full adherence to his ideals. If he can
be destructive he is justified in his
course; for-assuming that the people
for whose edification he is working are
intelligent-his judgment can no more
obscure true genius than the clouds can
forever hide the glories of the sun.
1t has been positively asserted that
the art of criticism has so deteriorated
that it is now an insignificant force.
One author in vigorous protest against
contemporaneou criticism charges that
young authors are being spoiled by din
judicious praise This he thinks is as
disastrous to authors as cover severity"
Doubtless he knows whereof he speaks ;
but if authors can thus clearly and ably
note the faults of the critics, they can
amend their own and so secure decided
advantage through the 'fatuous" good
nature of the critics. For obvious rea-
sons he does not sign the name which
appears over his own productions.
Such statement prompts an incursion
into the domains of the critics of today
and "Ungrateful author" is sure to reap
the benefit of freebooting trip to be
undertaken in his behalf. 1t is clear to
our perception that artists and authors
who complain of the inadequacy of con-
temporaneous criticism are without the
divine spark that could be famed into a
fame by criticism. They should place
their work in the light which burns
steadily upon the altar Of fame and thus
seek inspiration. There are those who
seek notoriety not fame; these are not
looking for the instruction of true criti-
cism but for the abusive notice which