Evening star., 1934-04-04

These annual visits are an annual
reminder to us.
They remind us, not only that there
is much here which we have not seen.
but much which we saw so long ago
that it would all be new again.
Like a good novel. which is worth
reading once every 20 years. at least,
every sight" in Washington is worth
going to visit once every so often.
Consider the famous Saint-Gaudens
statue Of Grief"
John Galsworthy, in one Of his en-
terludes," made a character declare
that it was the only thing in America
made by man worth remembering.
Was that a subtle English slap at
the United States, or was it the truth?
Soames Forsyte (the character) was
at that time in his old age, some
might even say his dotage, If For
sytes ever arrived at such a stage.
His lifelong hobby had been art. so
It was to be expected, when he visited
America. that he would be on the
lookout for art objects of all kinds.
y X
Whatever one may think Of Soames'
judgment, it may put one in mind of
visiting, not only that statue, but
other art works here.
Powers Greek slave, for instance,
charming little lady at the New Ma
tional Museum. Some persons profess
to sneer at this, but it is art" to most
persons, and has a firm place in their
affections.
The old familiar masterpieces of
the Corcoran Gallery of Art deserve
a renewal Of acquaintanceship How
many persons residing here have not
seen them since childhood?
But Washington Is like that" to
us who live here.
Familiarity, alas, If it does not breed
contempt. at least results in a dulling
Of interest. We cannot, in truth. be
expected to be able to feel as the chill
dren do who come here in the
Springtilne
All that we can do, from time to
time. is to take a hint from them,
realize that there is much here which
each one Of us has not "seen," in the
best sense. and then go see it.
There is splendid opportunity here
for all of us to broaden our own visions
bit. Life has a way of making each
person immersed in his own work, and
his own likes-and dislikes.
4
Many worker in the Department
of Commerce. in all probability, has
not visited the aquarium therein.
Even If he has, he may have viewed
1t specifically. idly wondering how
people can be interested in fishes.
In regard to this. or any other in
terest as manifested forth. one profit
ably may put to himself this question:
Must there not be here a great
| deal more than meets the eye? May
/ not be just little bit-er-ignorant
II l question this thing?"
We have applied it to fishes, it may
be applied to anything else, from the
greatest to the lowliest.
Almost everything that is has mind
behind 1t; it stands for mental appli-
cation on some ones part. Instead
OF "beefing" at a thing because it is
not familiar to us, We should try to
feel that the very unfamiliarity OF a
thing is challenge to us to find
out something.
Many persons apply this principle
IN big affairs (when they cannot get
out Of it,, but fail to use it in regard
to the thousand and one smaller but
really none the less interesting mat
tiers OF everyday life. If the young
visitors to Washington can recall US
all to the necessity for seeing all that
we see. they will have achieved some
thing not strictly on their program,
but something definite and valuable
Inst the same