But in this matter of reading, which must be the chief concern of
those who support a critical journal, there is one disease common
to most of us that can be diagnosed with certainty, and one sure,
though slow-working, remedy, that can be applied. We are
uncritical readers. We like too readily, which is an amiable
fault; we dislike too readily, which is a misfortune. We accept
the cheap when we might have the costly book. We dislike the new,
the true, the accurate, and the beautiful, because we will not
seek, or cannot grasp, them. We are afflicted with that complex of
democracy--a distrust of the best. Nine out of ten magazines, nine
out of ten libraries, nine out of ten intelligent American minds
prove this accusation.
And the cure is more civilization, more intellectuality, a finer
and stronger emotion? One might as well say that the cure for
being sick is to get well! This, indeed, is the cure; but the
remedy is a vigorous criticism. Call in the experts, let them name
themselves and their qualifications like ancient champions, and
then proceed to lay about with a will. Sometimes the maiden
literature, queen of the tournament, will be slain instead of the
Knight of Error, and often the spectators will be scratched by the
whir of a sword.
Pages:
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234