The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1917-06-02
Pictures That Help
ny N. ADDINGToN BRUCE
Author II The Riddle OF Person
ally Psychology and
PAreathood." etc.

In one OF hts best stories some
authorities consider II his best story
o. Henry gives Us an intimate
glimpse into the heart and life OF
a little shopgirl whose most treas
ured possession was a picture OF the
great Kitchener of Khartoum
Many girls adorn their rooms with
pictures OF celebrities merely be
cause the celebrities happen 20 be
good looking But this little girl
was different She treasured Ktch.
eners picture as help in time Of
trouble.
Whenever she felt tired. discour.
aged. or tempted. she had only TO
look into the deep. strong eyes OF
EnElands famous general 20 gain
fresh strength for her battles OF life.
upon her those pictured eyes cease
lessly radiated suggestions OF power
Many have read this story OF o.
Henrys Many have admired II.
Many have teR poignantly itS tragic
ending.
But how many. wonder. have
turned 20 their own benefit its hint
as 20 the Importance OF having
around one pictures that stimulate
10 noble ideas and high deals
For back of the story teller's In
cen.ous use OF the Kitchener pic
ure is a psychological truth OF pro.
found significance 20 all 81 Us.
r firth may best he expressed
in the phrase that character is
largely a product OF the environ.
ment what man Is and does de
Ponds indeed largely on the things
that surround him
Moreover. those things Ia his en-
vironment which are seen or heard
most frequently by him always tend
10 influence him most strongly This
.lo De may not consciously pay
much attention 10 them
We are so built that everything We
soc or hear. even when conscious
ly occupied with other things. Is
In family conveyed 90 our mind, TO
become part % our psychic make
up. Necessarily The more often Il
IS conveyed 20 the mind the deeper
and more lasting is the impression
b makes
4 then. H. be ~ such a nature az
to suggest 20 us good. beautiful. and
strengthening ldeas. its effect on
The shaping n our character viii
be beneficial II II suggest evil
ugly or degrading IDEAS the effect
win corrcsponding'y be harmful
Manitestly SO far as We can our
selves arrange our environment. We
should arrange u with a view 10
having it make on the mind as help.
fh impress ions as possible We al
ways are able 20 do this to a large
extent And certainly We can do q
With regard 10 the pictures We hang
on The walls ~ our home
No picture that ia glazing. gaudy.
vulgar Ia theme. or depressing in
suggestion should be allowed there.
our aim always should be 10 select
pictures that cheer and strengthen.
They need not be expensive pic
lures The cheapest OF reproduc.
ions r tastefully executed and OF
pleasing subject. may prove OF in
finite helpfuiness 20 Us.
Portraits. landscapes. marine
views domestic scenes we may
choose az our fancy lnclines. provid-
"a only hat We keep in mind their
possible influence upon us as par,
of orr daily environment.
LET the rule be never 20 buy a
picture without putting 70 ourselves
the question. Just what does this
picture suggest 70 me-" II, trying
70 answer this question. ~ge shnd
ourselves In doubt. or II we Clearly
recognize that Il brings ~ thoughts
Of An undesirable character. then al
onre We sh0uld decide azalnst ~