The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-04-30

THE Hope Of IN art school . that it
may matriculate seniuses. Nc art
school pretends to produce g~eniuses
md no teacher has ever been hardy
enough to boast the power to change
stupidity 70 talent. The accepted theory
y that the genius has already been made
before he enters school. and that though
greatness may be thrust upon one. genius
10 an accident Of birth.
The province of the teacher. IL this theory
stands. 10 in consequence not to create
souls but to abstain from marrins them.
and the only sensible method for Al am.
bilious instructor 10 to 90 pom the plan
that all pupils are seniuses. We know. Of
course, that they are not. but what divining
rod can indicate the future leader among
Q crowd of urchins3 Judging by past
history one 10 inclined to the belief that
the least likely Of the schoolroom candidates
10 he who 10 afterward to be elevated to
greatness. but this rule 10 peculiarly mega
tive inasmuch % it implies that whomever
you choose you will be wrong.
Among the many amusing definitions Of
genius that I have heard 10 one that states
that ''genius 10 like . magnet with the
faculty Of aligning itself to the great oppo-
ute poles Of life, and Furthermore. with the
power to bring others into the same har-
mony." This 10 pretty. but I fear it is not
practical. find very few teachers Of
marked intelligence who hold the faith
that genius 10 q matter Of contact with
polarisins personalities. The great Mar.
garet Fuller 10 one Of those who share the
scepticism I speak Of. Speaking of her
pupiis ooee in . letter to . friend she said:
MY wish has been to purify my own
conscience when near them. give clear
views Of the aims Of this life. show them
where the magazines Of knowledge lie, and
leave the rest to themselves and the spirit
who must teach and help them to self.
impulse. I told Mrs. W. it was much il
we did not injure them; II they were
passing the time in q way not bad. 70
that good influences have q chance"
The fact that when we look back upon
the history Of . genius and can usually
zee that his every act from the beginning
proclaimed genius does not counteract
the idea that the safest plan for an in
structor is to work upon the idea that
early recognition Of talent 10 impossible.
II genius has one distinguishing trait more
than another it is that it does not repeat.
II, accordingly, we see a boy developing
from an environment like Shelley's and
with all the Shelleyesqps qualities, a
teacher Of slight experience says, Behold
another g~eniusr" forgetting that the world
ready has one Shelley and the chances
re really ten to one that this duplicated
helley will become an Academician.
II the lad becomes an A~cademician it 10.
course, not a tragedy. On the contrary.
e will lead a much happier life than had
been ar original or Shelley No. /.
am, you see, one Of those who believe that
nature is more prodigal with her g~eniuses
than she 10 usually given credit for. have
an excellent friend. an Academician as It
happens, who claims that it doesn't matter
how pupils are taught. that 1t doesn't matter
what becomes Of the stupid. and that you
cannot kill q genius" disagree. hold
that they can be killed.
, The fact that seniuses usually appear