THE CRITICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2672, 31 May 1905, Page 75

THE CRITICS.

Being a paper by Boy, read nt last open rne*ting of the 'D.L..?. L. aaid D. Club. "A man must serve Vis time to every trado Save censure — critics all are ready made." There is one" phase of the history of our beloved page, in the year just concluded, which will stand as a. blemish until time has faded it from memory. It is that of unsolicited, morbid criticism. Criticism, lo have good effect, must come from above; it must

be the summing up of inexperience by ex periencc ; of the esser by the greater ; aL else is unsettling and injurious in effect. Tho essential points of a true critic are — (1) Thorough knowledge of tlie subject treated ; (2) boldness in censure ; (3; -act in advice, and. permeating all, humour of the highest order ; the critic must also be a disinterested oarty to the whole.

Unfortunately, the epidemic of criticism which so recently found its way into our midst was not of this high standard, and soon reduced our happy, affable society to a very topsy-turvydom, leaving nothing but pain and regret in its wake, and but for t 1 c steady hand of our beloved pilot, our littlj craft would Boon have been shoaled whiist still ia the high tide of her career. It is absurd for the prattling infant to pass judgment on the methods of its parent teacher, or for brother to censure brother whilst they have yet scarce felt the spray of the sea of knowledge : it passes absurdity, it is injurious to each alike. No germ takes such quick hold and spreads and manifests its influence so speedily as this unhealthy canker, criticism, and none which we should so strenuously guard against.

With withering satire Byron hurls forth Jus edict against all carping critics : "Fear not to lie, 'twill seem a lucky hit; Shrink not from blasphemy, 'twill pass foi

wit; Care not for feeling, pass your proper jesv, And stand a critic, hated yet caressed."

This half-grown prodigy, posing as a sort of philanthropic doctor to poor weak human nature, breathing venom and scattering wretchedness on all hands, is an all too common type, and one most repulsive to all manly natures.

"A mind well skilled to find or forge a fault.'" Iv comparison with which, how beautiful the nature that passes by the weakness of its fellows, and satiates its soul on all that is good and commendable ; and there is much beauty in the lives of our fellow men if wo but seek it — many fine qualities hidden beneath a rough surface, seeking out and encouraging virtue and noting faults only as a means of preventing them.

Happily, the plague .' criticism -which troubled us for so long has quietly died out, and its ugliness is seen amongst us no more. As a healthy body casts off disease and brass is burnished by fire, our little society, whose banner is youth, whose sinews are ambition, whose armour is virtue, whose motto is onward and upward, has cast off this affection as a mask from its face, and continues again to breathe the pure fresh air of lofty unselfish endeavour.

May our fault have its corrective influence, in providing a darfger signal on all future occasion's and for all following footsteps, and' our page ever live the pure, exemplary life it doth profess. "Believe ... or any other thing beforo youv ou trust in critics who themselves are sore." With kindest regards, BOY.