Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-23
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES Z. TRAcEWELL.

One of the most disconcerting things
in ordinary life Is to have some one dis
like a book which you like very much.
We were talking the other day to q
gentleman whose opinion we value,
when he happened to speak or reading
DIR. Munthe's STORY of San Michele,
that perennial bsst-sellsr.
How did you like it?" we asked, sure
in advance of his favorite verdict.
What was our establishment, then, to
hear him say:
"I don't like 1t at all :"
whats the matter?"
TOO mournful for me-" he continued.
"All those foreign authors are that
way"
We did not argue the matter.
Some one declared, many. nay, years
ago, that there is no argument on mat
tiers of taste, and there isn't.
This doesn't mean, of course. that
some tastes are not more accurate than
others.
Accuracy In such things, means COIN
Gliding with the best Of popular taste.
Popular taste, at its best, is very good.
II it were not for the verdict OF the
intelligent mob, few works OF art would
ever become famous.
WHITTIER 1t Is a book, or a song, or a
piece of architecture. 1t must have some
thing sbout it which makes 1t largely
popular, in the best sense.
= * X
THE story of San Michele" is not a
melancholy book. rightly viewed.
1t is saved from that, although 1t has
many sad themes, by certain sense OF
wonder in its author.
Because Of that sense, everywhere APP
parent, 1t becomes glad book for any
body.
we were reminded of this later. while
reading in j. B. Priestlsy's The English
Comic Characters" which has been
made available in this country in a new
edition, following the success of his
two novels, THE Good Companions
and Angel Pavement"
In discussing the character OF Sir An
drew Aguechesk, Mr.. Priestlsy strikes
off the following interesting sentence,
which explains q great deal more than
one of Shakespeares characters:
His best trait is one that he shares
with every simpleton, and that Is a
childlike capacity for enjoyment, which
is really born of a sense of wonder, the
ability to marvel at and relish the COM
monest things, to see the world inno-
Gently and freshly. sense that withers
smong brighter wits and natures richer
In experience but bloom forever with the
extremes of humankind, the utter SIM
pletons, and the great geniusss."
The reason why almost every reader
comes to have a sense Of personal OBJ
legation to DR.. Munthe, we believe, is
that ha realizes that this writer, this
man, this doctor, manages to see the
world innocently and freshly
He had the ability, despite his more
than 10 years, to marvel at and relish
the ccmmonest things. It Is this sense
OF wonder, this childlike capacity for
enjoyment, which keeps The Story of
San Michele" from being primarily a
sad sort Of book.
Brighter wits and natures richer in
experience, may take what consolation
they can from these facts, If it pre-
vents them from the keen enjoyme nts
which simpler natures know, and which,
happily, they often share with geniuses.
Shakespeare was genius. every one
admits Soma d3y every one will ad-
NIT that Dr. Munthe Is a genius, too.
That last chapter in San Michele
should settle that much, even If slightly
marred by the unnecessary reference to
the name of an American typewriter
And we think it very much to the credit
of that manufacturer that no attempt
has been made whatever TO capitalize
that reference. 1t speaks well for
American business.