The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1909-08-17

appointed"
My advice is to procure Paurs very
striking specimen of latter-day bio
graphical discussion and criticism. and
after reading it give some weeks to an
examination of the historical produc-
lions Of the very gifted historian him
self, and some of his miscellaneous
and biographical writi gs. 1t will
pay, for he is a great writer as to
style.
When latter-day writer's and critics
employ their idle time in depreciation
Of Shakespeare, Milton and Napoleon,
IT IS high time to scorn and protest.
Inere Is nothing more assured than
the fame Of Napoleon. The foremost
historians and biographers do justice
to the genius and performances of
the greatest of Italian-born soldier
since julius Caesar. Read Judge
william Morris one vol
ume biography of Napoleon, publish
ed in 1893. He was of Irish birth.
but was educated in part in England,
ana became an English Judge, and
died In 1904. 1 regretted to see an
nounced at the time. It is an uncom-
monty fair and discriminating discus
sion OF the Creates moder military
genius. No English biographer has
ever been SO just and appreciative.
Napoleon as warrior and ruler was in
deed a wonder. Read Morris and
learn more of a man who was great
in a high sense, both as soldier and
statesman. His greatest display Of
genius as a warrior was after he was
En- and in the cam
palgn OF 1905, and 1906, and 1907.
These years witnessed Ulm, Austen
litz, Jena. Frietland and Tilsit. He
lasted wonderfully and gave out no
signs Of decay until after
1907. But he was great even
to the last In his final campaign.
that of Waterloo, although physically
in decline. his intellectual manifesto
tons were still wonderful Another
able book was written a few years
ago-some ten or twelve-by a Boston
writer that I read with great interest
and satisfaction. I do not recall his
name as I write, but the accoun of
the Waterloo campaign is very en-
tightening indeed. wen in his disas-
trous Morocco campaign Napoleon
manifested great ability, energy and
strategy in the beginning.
AS to the criticisms and de-
probation Of Shakespeare. they
a aaetem sImP3y Ubiquitous Idle absurd ms.
supreme among poets, and the criti-
cisms Of one or two recent writers are
not only very shallow but very fool
ish. A Northern literary newspaper
some since, writing Of Shake
speare's greatness, and the attempt to
0Shy III AhO p4OpX1 AdS dAIlOIS ~
Of great genius, said:
"But woe is to the being who
can only show his brilliancy by jeering
and scoffing at everything. noble and
sacred, and h among the great gal
axy Of the worlds superior intellects,
fails to find one gifted soul which
shall spur him on to seek perfection
have at last found a mode in which
to cast my unmolded clay"
One criticaster, of some distinction,
has denied hat Shakespeare was real
ly a poet. OF course he is not a poet
of his own type and significance. He
cannot understand or appreciate the
master. Since writing this I have seen
what a leading newspaper Of London
said Of Mr.. Bernard Shaw's contempt
uous opinion of Shakespeare. The
standard says of Shaw, "that he
does not count Shakespeare among
the poets" If the great dramatist
could have read Shaw's own plays it
hear the immortal writer upon a
writer of a later time. The
"Standard" is led to say by reason of
Shaw's critical diction:
AT any rate, there is no doubt that
the taste for poetry among the rising
generation is very little developed.
Our girls car for poetry now no more
than their brothers at school and col
lege. Perhaps they are too busy with
hockey and cricket"
If you can only see what is the
character Of the books and periN$
calls read in our time you will appre-
ciate the of the opinion ex-
pressed by the London standard" I
suppose among others that Shaw is
read and gIorifed for his genius, While
writer's of the calibre of Shakespeare,
Milton and Tennyscn are derided and
scorned. I believe that even To1stoi
has given a very disparaging deliver
ance as to Shakespeare. Other great
English poets v been taken to the
slaughter house also.
mo man hath seen God at any
time; the only bogotten Son, which lis
l. 4ho haoon Of the Father He hath