The bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-01-26

| ment." The cul-
tivation of the
| purely esthetic is
a fine habit and pays in widening
ones mental horizon and elevating
our sphere of usefulness.
No one can have crouch on who
| sings in his soul. To get out of bed
humming a few bars of Melody in F
is to make friends all day. In GER
tain factories in Spain and France the
workers hire readers to read to them;
in some others, especially tobacco fac
tories, they have players of music to
speed up the work and keep the en-
ployes in good humor. 1t is we'll
known fact that walters in this coun-
try do very much better work with
less fatigue where they have an or
chestra. 1t is true that popular mu-
sic, so-called, does not stay popular
very long and ceases to charm. The
so-called classical" music has wear
ing and an appealing quality which
appeals to the soul of all classes. Like
poetry and other of the fine arts, the
attempt to express soul quality finds
response in the effort to decipher the
true meaning. As Jessica states: Il
am never merry when l hear sweet
music" Ragtime is but reflection Of
the fast, thoughtless, easy, skimming-
along the-surface trend of our Ameri-
can life at present, while good music
lasts so long as the deep abiding emo
tions are a part of the life of man,
No one should lay them down to
sleep without reading some line of
poetry. If you are lover, the poets
have sung of your emotions and joys
in terms which will make your heart
swell to know that others have felt as
you. If you are parent, let Shakes
peare, Southwell, Cowper or Words
worth make you know the delight and
despair Of lovely or ungrateful
child. All in such a manner as to
quicken the heart or the tears, as the
case may be. If you be young, either
in age or decision about life and what
it is, let Pope, Ben Johnson, Sir Wal
ter Raleigh, Dwyer, Surry or Holmes
talk to you in such an intimate way
that you will understand and the
scales will fall from your eyes and
you be transported beyond the usual
views and live in realm unsullied by
usual practices. If you are lacking in
patriotism let Scott, Byron, Long
fellow, Whittier or Shakespeare tell
you about your duty and the grandeur
of sensation in really loving home.
"When in disgrace in men and for
tunes eyes" turn to the Psalms and
Shakespeare. They will lift up your
heart and make you know the common
fortunes of men and put pride in your
efforts if your conscience be clear.
These names may sound like one needs
be a profound student of literature to
enjoy them, but it is all amiss, the
thoughts are often so plain, the feel
ing so mutual that one will feel that
they have met an old friend, one who
can sympathize and not burden with
that which is uninteresting.
"My mind to me my kingdom is;
Such present joys therein l find,
That it excels all other bliss
That earth affords or grows by kind:
Though much want that most would
have,
Yet still my mind forbids to crave.
Some have too much, yet still do
They are but poor, though much they
have,
And l am rich with little store;
They poor, l rich; they beg, I give;
They lack, leave; they pine, l live.
My wealth is health and perfect ease,
My conscience clear my chief defense;
neither seek by brides to please,
Nor by deceit to breed offense;
Thus do I live; thus will die;
Would all did so we'll as T."