New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-08-09
THE PEOPLES COLUMN

street vicissltude has effectually dispelled
that and most other illusions from my
mind
Your editorial deploring the habit OF
talking shop" appeared TO assume that
men OF quasi-culture were prone 10 air
their views on art or philosophy at all
times and I'm all places have not tound
this so. doubtless because OF my financial
associations. | know but pitiful handtuI
II men who ever betray the slightest
rsthetic consciousness on the other
hand. hear lncessant babhle Of baseball.
tennis. golf. bridge. "trots," politics So
ciety and the stock market so much so
that have come TO look with amazement
upon the rare individual who betrays any
interest I'm higher matters.
The need or value Of an anti-music
club am the last man on earth 10 admit
for here II anywhere so far as my re-
stricted opportunities go, there Is dire
paucity Of ideas or comment TO be CLEANED
from ordinary intercourse. I must be be-
Gained In some peculiarly stagnant back
water, for not one In "A hundred among
my acquaintance knows or cares about
the divine art. In fact. the only glim-
merings OF musical intelligence and eager
devotion that have been able to dis
cover I'm this metropolis have been In the
ranks OF the Oratorio Society. where sun
dry citizens Of the finest type have been
laboring. In some instances for more than
thirty years. 10 promote a truly demo
cratic and deeply cultural form OF art
George W Webster. who. I'm his amiable
letter of August 5. adopts your own point
OF view. quotes Francis Bacon. not un-
happily. In reply venture 10 quote an
authority more conversant with modern
conditions Matthew Arnold. In his monu-
mental book. Culture and Anarchy" re-
minds us.
Culture seeks 10 do away with classes
and scots. 10 make the best that has been
thought and known in the world current
everywhere. 10 make all men live In an
atmosphere OF sweetness and light. where
they may use ideas. as II uses them
itself. freely. nourished and not bound by
them. This is the social idea, and the
men of culture are the true apostles or
equality"
Now. have read The Tribune with fair
regularity and at times with vast edifi-
cation for more than forty years, and |
had come TO look upon II as harbnger
OF culture as well as an exceptionally
efficient guide in every other phase or
Journalism. Hence my dsmay 10 find
therein tendency TO flout the very thing
had supposed inherent In the splendid
and historic journal Can II be possible
that YOU don't want men 10 live In an
atmosphere OF sweetness and light? For
myself | must continue 20 believe ana
assert that we do not get enough tmper-
sonal discussion I'm our daily contacts, and
II men can free their minds for time
from the overwhelming materialism OF
the age. for Heavens sake let them go
on talking shop" II that helps them thus
free themselves. IT, however. there be
circles no constantly obsessed with the
consideration OF music. poetry and phi
losophy as TO vex the blase newspaper
man. pray tell wistful stock broker
where these may be found. one such
might prove 10 him long sought oasis
In a peculiarly noisy and arid desert
WILSON A. BURROWS.
New York. Aug. 3, 1918