370 LEISURE-TIME STUDIES. 



covery of a new aspect or imaginative rendering of the 

 phenomena, without heeding their cause or relations. The 

 scientist " interprets " nature in the true sense of that word, 

 by showing us what nature means, and how her ways and 

 works are regulated, formed, and construed. The poet 

 "interprets" nature only in the limited sense of showing 

 us how the outward aspect of matters strikes him. When- 

 ever he ventures upon the explanation of the why and 

 wherefore, he becomes either the scientist, the metaphysician, 

 or the theologian, and is merely clothing ideas of causation 

 obtained from these sources in poetic garb. Poetry, in 

 short, at its best, is a medium for the conveyance of ideas ; 

 and as the excellence of the colour is largely due to the 

 correct choice of a medium, so the beauty and worth of 

 the poet's labours must bear a distinct relation to his indi- 

 vidual capacity and soul. 



But Principal Shairp, in addressing himself to the relation- 

 ship of poetry and science, wisely reminds us that the subject 

 is as old as Plato, who "banished poets as false teachers 

 from his well-ordered State," an action which possibly might 

 have met with the theoretical approval of those who, with 

 Mr. Froude, declare that "the greatness of the poet depends 

 on his being true to nature." Proceeding to deal, in an 

 admittedly cursory manner, with the relation of poetry to 

 science, Principal Shairp remarks that the " simpler aspect of 

 the question" concerns "the action of imagination on the 

 external world." " When the eye," says Dr. Shairp, "rests on 

 the ranging landscape, and the heart responds to the beauty 

 of it, the emotion which is evoked is as true and as rational 

 as is the action of any law of nature. This kindling of 

 heart in the presence of nature, may be said to be ' another 

 aspect of reason.' It is not confined to any one order of 

 men or stage of civilisation, but belongs alike to the child, 

 the peasant, and the philosopher, if only the heart be 

 natural and unspoiled." Quis negavtt? we reply. So far 

 good and true. Next in order we are reminded of the 

 " Yarrow Shepherd," who, going forth at dawn of day, re- 



