The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1919-07-25

The history of French painting holds
own genius. From the first hour the
youth appeared in the Bcaux Arts he
stood out n marked man. When the
| first mornings work was over a wonder
! ing group gathered about his canvas.
In contrast the other students seemed
mere paint grinders. The teacher could
not believe that the youth had never
hitherto enjoyed n lesson. From that
/ young stranger many old artists felt
! that tn"y could not hope too much for
French art. But when II little time had
! passed 1t was found that :he youth was
/ wholly devoid Of tho spiri; Of reverence
! for his divine gift All skill in painting
: n portrait was for his own pleasure. He
! liked to have the other students think
| that tho portrait was a mere triflc that
hc could toss off at any time.
One day he tried 10 show his superior
| Ity 10 his own canvas and his contempt
| for his work. While the other students
stood rapt about the figure he had
drawn. the youth took out his knife and
! played mumblcty-pcg on the canvas,
trying first 10 hit tho left eye and then
tn" right eye. few minutes passed
and the canvas was cut into rags. He
| had no love for the beautiful faces he
created. He did not try To paint some
I thing that would enrich and inspire his
generation. He used his genius TO Sc
cure applause. invitations to social BAN
Qucts: nc turned all his nights into
orgies. Long ago the f"asts ceased. for
III" young painter died. The eagle,
| made to Jock the sun in the face. full
filled the career ,f a barnyard fowl.
Wings worthy of the scraphm were
trailcd in the miro.
Life holds few harder problems than
thiS-%hy is II that gifted men claim
| exemption from right living? BE the
reasons what they may, history estab-
fishes tho fact. One morning Lord
Byron awokc TO find himself famous.
But he used his fame and genius "a
keys for unlocking doors that closed t.
others tho poisoned delights that were
celebrated behind dark walls. At 35.
Byron. one Of the handsomcst boys of
his day. found his hair nearly white. his
hands trembling like the hands OF a
man Of 50. his flesh flahhy with dissi-
alton. his eyes hlondshot his genius
burned out. So long as Byron felt
himself to b. n student and a youth Of
equal rank with his fellows. he obeycd
tho laws OF temperance. the laws OF
sleep. honor and prudence. As did also
Robert Burns until tho fatal day came
al
his unriralled gifts.
Not otherwise was II with tho gifted
German poet. whose autobiography calls
tho roll OF his man! many. love affairs.
The history OF music. the history Of the
stage. the history Of politics. hold tho
same story about their gifted children.
The plea is that talent needs license.
Genius asks exemption from laws that
are binding upon mediocre people. The
world Is asked to excuse the great mans
| orgies No one will deny tho fact that
gifted men have too often found their
pleasures. not in the creative enjoyment
offered by their own genius in poetry.
cloquence. architecture and music. but
in the/fiery pleasures that come from
breaking every law Of man and God.
| Doubtless society is in part responsible
for the ruined careers Of gifted men. 1t
| Is often said that n young women
would hold young men strictly to the
law OF personal honor, the different
| standing for men and women would
pass away. Doubtless society has
Erievously erred in exempting men Of
genius from the social penalties that
cvcrtake disobedicnce TO the laws OF
life.