The Homely-Fathetic in Literature. As Supplied to the Young.

New Zealand Illustrated Magazine, Volume 1, Issue 6, 1 March 1900, Page 53

The Homely-Fathetic in Literature. As Supplied to the Young.

By Maiiei, Hoi, m us.

tMONGST the influences which originate from the modern system of educatiou, there is none more potent for future good or evil than the now universally promiscuous reading practised by the young. I lately happened to be 1 .' ;■; present at a discussion between those qnAlitied to express an opinion upon this stilrject, where sides were taken for, and against, the employment of the Homely Pathetic in literature supplied to school children. Those who upheld its efficacy agreed that it is useless to expect the youthful mind to grasp the meaning of emotions which exist beyond the limits of its own narrow experience; that sensational reading is hurtful to moral development ; and that the study of Dickens and kindred writers, who abound in every-day illustration, should be insisted upon as food for that novel-reading appetite which generally accompanies progress through the teens. At the same time they admitted that those young people, who show a preference for the standard works of the Dickens period, are in so small a minority as to prove that the millions refuse to take interest in the woos of Little Nell and Sniike. Those who spoke for a later form of fiction instanced the popular Royal Reader in support of their claim. Contrary to the fashion of thirty years ago, when a lesson book was a lesson book pure and simple, the child of to-day loves its Royal Reader, and returns to it again and again, after progression to a Vol, I,— No. 6.— #o,

higher standard has necessitated study from a more advanced volume. And this, because the lloyal Header is up-to-date in its compilation, every word appeals to the child's sympathies, and so, by chaining its attention, renders double aid to the acquisition of the art of reading. The discussion ended in a vote beiu<r recorded against the enforcement of tln> Homely I'athutie as children's fare, for the principal reason that its element pervades, more or less, the circumstances of (-very life; and that the expanding intellect is ever reaching beyond its environment, familiarized by daily traverse; groping in fts desire for things "more than any understand." Two generations back learning affected only an inconsiderable number ; young humanity was hut "a mass of groaning machinery without even the sctn bianco of rationality." But compulsory education has evolved from that v groaning machinery " a mind, instinct with that anticipation of limitless capabilities which inspires " tin; prophetic soul, of the wide world dreaming of things to come." A distinctive sign of that mind's development, is the avidity with which modern youth devours the daily newspaper, and m convei'sant with current cvontH the world over. The mannikin of ton years will intelligibly discuss such subjects as the war in South Africa, the Indian famine, the recent election. You cannot, in reason, oxpect that child to exist upon assimilation of fcho Homely Pathetic,

This is an age of inquiry. Now-a-days the scholar receives instruction as to the rules which govern his bodily health, and also acquires a form of analysis for the mental food supplied to him. Unlike the old-time children, he will not swallow, without question, all that is placed before him, but criticises each ingredient. For instance, I lately overheard two boys of eleven and nine years old, who discussed iEsop's Fables — iEsop's Fables which have delighted generations of readers. But these young men saw little to admire in such a collection of impossibilities, "Animals talking — how stupid!" and so on. But the climax of criticism came when the page opened at the story of the " Belly and the Members." Eleven years declared, " I wouldn't have argued with th' grumbly old members if I'd been th' belly — I'd 'uv let lose my gastric juices an' given 'em all th' jaundice ! " Another small child said to me, " Critic ! What a nime fer a piper ! " I replied, 'you don't know what "Critic" means.' "Humph!" he snorted, " pe-eering' inter everybody's business 'uv course !" Having nourished the mind of the rising generation, to the stage of growth I have indicated, it is necessary to provide mental gymnastics, exercise and excitement, to ensure its finally perfect proportions. The school, and later life's routine, supply the exercise, and by this exercise is generated an ever-quickening circulation, which demands excitoment as vent for poisonous accumulations, which must be expelled if we would preserve mental health. This excitement, which youth will obtain despite " the clenched teeth of antagonism," is largely contributed by promiscuous reading, and it is absolutely useless for those in authority to imagine that they have power to control the choice of the majority, in their seleotion of subjects, now that Penny Dreadfuls, and their descending scale of lower relations, are to be obtained everywhere. Authority's only weapon against this attractive array, is encouragement of the

perusal of, and granting of easy access to healthily exciting literature. To such authors as Crockett and Stanley Weyman we are indebted for inspiring fiction, dealing, no doubt, with improbabilities, but elevating from frontispiece to finis. One day, in my hearing, a youth and a maiden each regretted that the pleasure of reading " The Red Axe " for the first time, was over for them. The maiden wished, "Oh ! If I had only lived in those times, when the men were so gi'and and stately — an' so polite — " The youth broke in, " Yes, an' th' girls didn't barrack them across th' street — there was something to be polite for then ! " Only a suggested idea of an attainable attribute for each, yet who shall say what baser model it supplanted. And if, in following the exaggerated hero and heroine, the possibly loutish reader warms to the " beam of ideal sunshine " which breaks across the mean landscape of his mind, even though it be " a light that never was on land or sea," the beholding of it has drawn his gaze, for the moment, above the mud flats of the commonplace ; with which to youth, with its impatient disregard of the influence of trifles, the Homely Pathetic is invariably associated. Let us not then exclaim against the fashion of modern youth which casts aside the standard novel, after a cursory glimpse between its covers, with the condemnation, "Stale!"; but, when he demands "something exciting " supply his need, and by assisting open gratification of an inherent craving, check the chances of its maturing into a secret vice. And afterwards, the Homely Pathetic will have its turn. When the predominating animalism of the teens has given place to the sympathetic refinement of accomplished tens of years ; when eyes, grown accustomed to the darkness, see not only the brilliant and alluring point of light ahead, but are able to distinguish the homely form of the lowly worm from which it is emitted — afterwards, the Homely Pathetic will be counted at its true value, as the foundation from which has arisen almost every form of nobility.