按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
sensual； yet they are sensuous； and often nothing more。 The
cultivation of a taste for beauty of form or colour； of sound or
attitude； has no necessary effect upon the cultivation of the mind
or the development of the character。 The contemplation of fine
works of art will doubtless improve the taste； and excite
admiration； but a single noble action done in the sight of men
will more influence the mind； and stimulate the character to
imitation； than the sight of miles of statuary or acres of
pictures。 For it is mind； soul； and heartnot taste or art
that make men great。
It is indeed doubtful whether the cultivation of artwhich
usually ministers to luxuryhas done so much for human progress
as is generally supposed。 It is even possible that its too
exclusive culture may effeminate rather than strengthen the
character； by laying it more open to the temptations of the
senses。 〃It is the nature of the imaginative temperament
cultivated by the arts；〃 says Sir Henry Taylor； 〃to undermine the
courage； and； by abating strength of character； to render men more
easily subservientSEQUACES； CEREOS； ET AD MANDATA DUCTILES。〃
（17） The gift of the artist greatly differs from that of the
thinker； his highest idea is to mould his subjectwhether it be
of painting； or music； or literatureinto that perfect grace of
form in which thought （it may not be of the deepest） finds its
apotheosis and immortality。
Art has usually flourished most during the decadence of nations；
when it has been hired by wealth as the minister of luxury。
Exquisite art and degrading corruption were contemporary in Greece
as well as in Rome。 Phidias and Iktinos had scarcely completed
the Parthenon； when the glory of Athens had departed； Phidias died
in prison； and the Spartans set up in the city the memorials of
their own triumph and of Athenian defeat。 It was the same in
ancient Rome； where art was at its greatest height when the people
were in their most degraded condition。 Nero was an artist； as
well as Domitian； two of the greatest monsters of the Empire。
If the 〃Beautiful〃 had been the 〃Good；〃 Commodus must have
been one of the best of men。 But according to history he was
one of the worst。
Again； the greatest period of modern Roman art was that in which
Pope Leo X。 flourished； of whose reign it has been said； that
〃profligacy and licentiousness prevailed amongst the people and
clergy； as they had done almost uncontrolled ever since the
pontificate of Alexander VI。〃 In like manner； the period at which
art reached its highest point in the Low Countries was that which
immediately succeeded the destruction of civil and religious
liberty； and the prostration of the national life under the
despotism of Spain。 If art could elevate a nation； and the
contemplation of The Beautiful were calculated to make men The
Goodthen Paris ought to contain a population of the wisest and
best of human beings。 Rome also is a great city of art； and yet
there； the VIRTUS or valour of the ancient Romans has
characteristically degenerated into VERTU； or a taste for
knicknacks； whilst； according to recent accounts； the city itself
is inexpressibly foul。 （18）
Art would sometimes even appear to have a close connection with
dirt； and it is said of Mr。 Ruskin； that when searching for works
of art in Venice； his attendant in his explorations would sniff an
ill…odour； and when it was strong would say； 〃Now we are coming to
something very old and fine！〃meaning in art。 （19） A little
common education in cleanliness； where it is wanting； would
probably be much more improving； as well as wholesome； than any
amount of education in fine art。 Ruffles are all very well； but
it is folly to cultivate them to the neglect of the shirt。
Whilst； therefore； grace of manner； politeness of behaviour；
elegance of demeanour； and all the arts that contribute to make
life pleasant and beautiful； are worthy of cultivation； it must
not be at the expense of the more solid and enduring qualities of
honesty； sincerity； and truthfulness。 The fountain of beauty must
be in the heart； more than in the eye； and if art do not tend to
produce beautiful life and noble practice； it will be of
comparatively little avail。 Politeness of manner is not worth
much； unless accompanied by polite action。 Grace may be but skin…
deepvery pleasant and attractive； and yet very heartless。 Art
is a source of innocent enjoyment； and an important aid to higher
culture； but unless it leads to higher culture； it will probably
be merely sensuous。 And when art is merely sensuous； it is
enfeebling and demoralizing rather than strengthening or
elevating。 Honest courage is of greater worth than any amount of
grace； purity is better than elegance； and cleanliness of body；
mind； and heart； than any amount of fine art。
In fine； while the cultivation of the graces is not to be
neglected； it should ever be held in mind that there is something
far higher and nobler to be aimed atgreater than pleasure；
greater than art； greater than wealth； greater than power； greater
than intellect； greater than geniusand that is； purity and
excellence of character。 Without a solid sterling basis of
individual goodness； all the grace； elegance； and art in the world
would fail to save or to elevate a people。
NOTES
（1） Locke thought it of greater importance that an educator of youth
should be well…bred and well…tempered； than that he should be
either a thorough classicist or man of science。 Writing to Lord
Peterborough on his son's education； Locke said： 〃Your Lordship
would have your son's tutor a thorough scholar； and I think it not
much matter whether he be any scholar or no： if he but understand
Latin well； and have a general scheme of the sciences； I think
that enough。 But I would have him WELL…BRED and WELL…TEMPERED。〃
（2） Mrs。 Hutchinson's 'Memoir of the Life of Lieut。…Colonel
Hutchinson；' p。 32。
（3） 'Letters and Essays；' p。 59。
（4） 'Lettres d'un Voyageur。'
（5） Sir Henry Taylor's 'Statesman；' p。 59。
（6） Introduction to the 'Principal Speeches and Addresses of His Royal
Highness the Prince Consort；' 1862。
（7） 〃When in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes；
I all alone beween my outcast state；
And troubled deaf heaven with my bootless cries；
And look upon myself and curse my fate；
WISHING ME LIKE TO ONE MORE RICH IN HOPE；
Featured like him； like him with friends possessed；
Desiring this man's art； and that man's scope；
With what I most enjoy； contented least；
Yet in these thoughts； MYSELF ALMOST DESPISING；
Haply I think on thee；〃 &c。SONNET XXIX。
〃So I； MADE LAME by sorrow's dearest spite；〃 &c。SONNET XXXVI
（8） 〃And strength； by LIMPING sway disabled；〃 &c。SONNET LXVI。
〃Speak of MY LAMENESS； and I straight will halt。〃SONNET LXXXIX。
（9） 〃Alas！ 'tis true； I have gone here and there；
A