the rhythm of life and other essays(生命的旋律)-第9节
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For if every language be a school； more significantly and more
educatively is a part of a language a school to him who chooses that part。
Few languages offer the choice。 The fact that a choice is made implies
the results and fruits of a decision。 The French author is without these。
They are of all the heritages of the English writer the most important。 He
receives a language of dual derivation。 He may submit himself to either
University； whither he will take his impulse and his character； where he
will leave their influence； and whence he will accept their education。
The Frenchman has certainly a style to develop within definite limits； but
he does not subject himself to suggestions tending mainly hitherwards or
thitherwards； to currents of various race within one literature。 Such a
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choice of subjection is the singular opportunity of the Englishman。 I do
not mean to ignore the necessary mingling。 Happily that mingling has
been done once for all for us all。 Nay； one of the most charming things
that a master of English can achieve is the repayment of the united
teaching by linking their results so exquisitely in his own practice； that
words of the two schools are made to meet each other with a surprise and
delight that shall prove them at once gayer strangers； and sweeter
companions； than the world knew they were。 Nevertheless there remains
the liberty of choice as to which school of words shall have the place of
honour in the great and sensitive moments of an author's style： which
school shall be used for conspicuousness； and which for multitudinous
service。 And the choice being open； the perturbation of the pulses and
impulses of so many hearts quickened in thought and feeling in this day
suggests to me a deliberate return to the recollectedness of the more
tranquil language。 'Doubtless there is a place of peace。'
A place of peace； not of indifference。 It is impossible not to charge
some of the moralists of the last century with an indifference into which
they educated their platitudes and into which their platitudes educated
them。 Addison thus gave and took； until he was almost incapable of
coming within arm's…length of a real or spiritual emotion。 There is no
knowing to what distance the removal of the 'appropriate sentiment' from
the central soul might have attained but for the change and renewal in
language； which came when it was needed。 Addison had assuredly
removed eternity far from the apprehension of the soul when his Cato
hailed the 'pleasing hope；' the 'fond desire；' and the touch of war was
distant from him who conceived his 'repulsed battalions' and his 'doubtful
battle。' What came afterwards； when simplicity and nearness were restored
once more； was doubtless journeyman's work at times。 Men were too
eager to go into the workshop of language。 There were unreasonable
raptures over the mere making of common words。 'A hand…shoe！ a
finger…hat！ a foreword！ Beautiful！' they cried； and for the love of
German the youngest daughter of Chrysale herself might have consented
to be kissed by a grammarian。 It seemed to be forgotten that a language
with all its construction visible is a language little fitted for the more
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advanced mental processes； that its images are material； and that； on the
other hand； a certain spiritualising and subtilising effect of alien
derivations is a privilege and an advantage incalculablethat to possess
that half of the language within which Latin heredities lurk and
Romanesque allusions are at play is to possess the state and security of a
dead tongue； without the death。
But now I spoke of words encountering as gay strangers； various in
origin； divided in race； within a master's phrase。 The most beautiful and
the most sudden of such meetings are of course in Shakespeare。
'Superfluous kings；' 'A lass unparalleled；' 'Multitudinous seas：' we needed
not to wait for the eighteenth century or for the nineteenth to learn the
splendour of such encounters； of such differences； of such nuptial
unlikeness and union。 But it is well that we should learn them afresh。
And it is well； too； that we should not resist the rhythmic reaction bearing
us now somewhat to the side of the Latin。 Such a reaction is in some sort
an ethical need for our day。 We want to quell the exaggerated decision of
monosyllables。 We want the poise and the pause that imply vitality at
times better than headstrong movement expresses it。 And not the phrase
only but the form of verse might render us timely service。 The
controlling couplet might stay with a touch a modern grief； as it ranged in
order the sorrows of Canning for his son。 But it should not be attempted
without a distinct intention of submission on the part of the writer。 The
couplet transgressed against； trespassed upon； shaken off； is like a law
outstripped； defiedto the dignity neither of the rebel nor of the rule。 To
Letters do we look now for the guidance and direction which the very
closeness of the emotion taking us by the heart makes necessary。 Shall
not the Thing more and more； as we compose ourselves to literature；
assume the honour； the hesitation； the leisure； the reconciliation of the
Word？
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DR。 OLIVER WENDELL
HOLMES
It is good to go； now and againlet the American phrase be permitted
'back of' some of our contemporaries。 We never desired them as coevals。
We never wished to share an age with them； we share nothing else with
them。 And we deliver ourselves from them by passing； in literature； into
the company of an author who wrote before their time； and yet is
familiarly modern。 To read Dr。 Oliver Wendell Holmes； then； is to go
behind the New Humoristinto a time before he was； or his Humour。
Obviously we go in like manner behind many another； but the funny writer
of the magazines is suggested because in reference to him our act has a
special significance。 We connect him with Dr。 Holmes by a reluctant
ancestry； by an impertinent descent。 It may be objected that such a
connection is but a trivial thing to attribute； as a conspicuous incident； to a
man of letters。 So it is。 But the triviality has wide allusions。 It is often a
question which of several significant trivialities a critic shall choose in his
communication with a reader who does not insist that all the grave things
shall be told him。 And； by the way； are we ever sufficiently grateful for
that reader； whom the last few years have given to us； or to whom we have
been given by the last few years？ A trivial connexion has remote and
negative issues。 To go to Dr。 Oliver Wendell Holmes's period is to get rid
of many things； to go to himself is especially to get rid of the New
Humour； yet to stand at its unprophetic source。 And we love such
authors as Dickens and this American for their own sake； refusing to be
aware of their corrupt following。 We would make haste to ignore their
posterity； and to assure them that we absolve them from any fault of theirs
in the bastardy
