Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-10-23

in rough way, how geniuscs use the
language, and how to initiate lem more
or less closely. For most of us, this is
the whole story. The use of language is
simply an initiative art, the employment
of tool as we see others using II. The
simple rules and precepts formulated for
our guidance should spring from our in
diVidual observation and practice, and
not be committed to memory in advance.
1T is true that language does touch in
the sciences of psychology. physiology,
sociology, etc, certain natural principles
which determine its structure, and here
it becomes a science The structure of
the organs of speech makes certain
|, sounds easy, while rendering others diff
cult or impossible; people who live near
the sea have a tendency to emphasize
certain sounds of their language, etc.
But no attempt should be made to teach
a child, Systematically, the reasons for
all that he finds in language, until we
are ready to teach him, in detail, the
sciences mentioned. What he gets of
this in the elementary school will depend
largely on the amount of horse sense,
keen penetration and mother wit he may
be fortunate enough to possess.
Our English, then. simply gives us the
most ready tool for accomplishing what
we all wish to do, namely. communicate
with each other. If it didn't it would
go out of style until the usurpfng Ian
guage performs this function better than
English does The use of language is at
first mechanical art but may become
and susceptible medium, air. Our, race
made large use, at first, of resistive ma
terial in its artistic activities-stone
marble and bronze. Gold proved more
pliabe, and paint still more yielding. In
these latter days. the musician claims
his art is the highest of ALL because its
medium, air, is the most delicate, ethe-
real and spiritual of ala fact which
correlates well with the classification of
language as free-wil activity.
But there is an implication here of such
fundamental import that it cannot be
make permanent record of its achieve
ments-and they all dO--iS a perpetual
challenge and stimulus to those who come
in contact with its creations or its SYM
bols. For art may be considered as mans
impress on nature. From the human
nature. 1t is the making up of crude
material into human products of use or
beauty. products which are SO many SYM
bOlS of triumph over a reSiStiVe environ
ment, proofs that SO-called dead matter
can he quickened and spritualized by the
human will, as when iron is shaped into
a spade. or air into a sonata. Much that
is gained would be lost again, however,
We're it not for the permanent challenge
and stimulus of artistic symbols When
somebody found out how to make steel
pillow, nobody thereafter cared to use
crooked stick as substitute for it. If
barbarianS who use crooked sticks We're
to overrun our territory now, the very
presence and sight of the ploW would
challenge and stimulate them to use it,
and go far toward making them plowmen.
This is a fair picture of the case when
a child is brought into contact with Ian
guase which embodies new thought or
feeling. Like a naturalist who proceeds
from the eXuViae of the dragon fly to the
living insect. the pupil is led beyond the