Word: opinion
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: during 1870-1879
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
Since then, this opinion, I sadly confess...
THERE seems to me to be room for a difference of opinion in regard to the subject discussed by the author of "Literary Ruskinism" in the last Magenta. He objects to the manner of conducting recitations now followed at Harvard, and thinks the object should be to point out to us "the beauties of idea and expression." He likens the present system to that Mr. Ruskin prescribes for the cultivation of the artistic taste, and objects to this, both because it upsets our faith in our old ideas of art, and because, if I understand, it is a system...
...before an ignorant person, he will doubtless feel none of the beauty which is certainly there. Nor will my saying to him, "This is a beautiful picture," do good. We must all have education in art, as well as in everything else requiring knowledge and judgment; and, in my opinion, this education is best secured by the analytical system of Mr. Ruskin...
...master the meaning of these. It will do little good for the instructor to point out the beauties in idea and expression. As to the beauty of ideas, any one who should put a decent amount of work upon Horace, and find no beauty in it, would, in my opinion, find none were it pointed out to him with ever so much care and repetition. And as to the beauty of expression, some of this must be seen in the anatomical dissection spoken of. But are we so in want of instruction in the beauty of expression...
...have written this for two reasons: first, because legitimate advertising in the College will become worthless if business establishments are continually canvassed by irresponsible parties; second, what is of more importance, the honor of the College is certainly at stake if public opinion shall excuse swindling. We all have a sympathy for such peccadilloes as breaking windows or "ragging" signs, though even they are objectionable on the score of puerility; at any rate, there is in them neither meanness nor avarice nor downright dishonesty, only an effervescence of deviltry. But when these customs, skill in which is esteemed among...