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Literary
January 18, 1916
The Log Cabin Democrat
Conway, Faulkner County, Arkansas
What is this article about?
Essay by Augustine Birrell arguing that good taste is acquired through diligent study of great literary models, rejecting crude popular tastes in favor of educated appreciation of art and literature.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
SOMETHING TO BE ACQUIRED
Possession of Good Taste Is Almost Entirely a Matter of Assiduous Cultivation.
If we would possess good taste we must take pains about it. We must study models, we must follow examples, we must compare methods, and (above anything else) we must crucify the natural man. If there is one thing to be dreaded in these matters it is what is called the unaided intelligence of the masses. A crudely colored oleograph of the Albert memorial may give pleasure to an unaided intelligence, but is that pleasure to be compared in depth of satisfaction with that which is afforded when the educated eye feasts upon the nature interpreting canvas of a great artist?
All, I think, are agreed about the study of the models: of the things which are attested. We may then, I think, assume that the best way of telling a good book from a bad one is to make yourself as well acquainted as you can with some of the great literary models. Do not be frightened at them. They afford the widest choice: they are all for moods. There is no need to like them all alike.—Augustine Birrell.
Possession of Good Taste Is Almost Entirely a Matter of Assiduous Cultivation.
If we would possess good taste we must take pains about it. We must study models, we must follow examples, we must compare methods, and (above anything else) we must crucify the natural man. If there is one thing to be dreaded in these matters it is what is called the unaided intelligence of the masses. A crudely colored oleograph of the Albert memorial may give pleasure to an unaided intelligence, but is that pleasure to be compared in depth of satisfaction with that which is afforded when the educated eye feasts upon the nature interpreting canvas of a great artist?
All, I think, are agreed about the study of the models: of the things which are attested. We may then, I think, assume that the best way of telling a good book from a bad one is to make yourself as well acquainted as you can with some of the great literary models. Do not be frightened at them. They afford the widest choice: they are all for moods. There is no need to like them all alike.—Augustine Birrell.
What sub-type of article is it?
Essay
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Social Manners
What keywords are associated?
Good Taste
Cultivation
Literary Models
Unaided Intelligence
Educated Eye
Augustine Birrell
What entities or persons were involved?
Augustine Birrell
Literary Details
Title
Something To Be Acquired
Author
Augustine Birrell
Subject
Possession Of Good Taste Is Almost Entirely A Matter Of Assiduous Cultivation
Key Lines
If We Would Possess Good Taste We Must Take Pains About It. We Must Study Models, We Must Follow Examples, We Must Compare Methods, And (Above Anything Else) We Must Crucify The Natural Man.
A Crudely Colored Oleograph Of The Albert Memorial May Give Pleasure To An Unaided Intelligence, But Is That Pleasure To Be Compared In Depth Of Satisfaction With That Which Is Afforded When The Educated Eye Feasts Upon The Nature Interpreting Canvas Of A Great Artist?
Do Not Be Frightened At Them. They Afford The Widest Choice: They Are All For Moods. There Is No Need To Like Them All Alike.