THE RELATIONS OF BELLES-LETTRES 543 



Lowell had good taste, and his phrases please the sensibilities of 

 the refined. He was thorough in research, arid his judgments stand 

 the test of careful scrutiny. Yet another quality of his publication is 

 perhaps more notable. It has all-inspiring force. Himself enthusiastic 

 in study, he brought others to understand its charm. Ready to 

 restrain, he was still more eager to encourage. Not content with the 

 consideration of the past, he inquired into the future. This also I 

 believe it was his duty to do as professor of belles-lettres. For of what 

 other use is the acquisition of knowledge than to revivify it and put 

 it to better service? Odin, the wise God, sent out two ravens abroad 

 into the world, and welcomed them back with news. Hugin and Mun- 

 nin, these ravens, symbolize Thought and Memory, coequal, both 

 needed in Odin's mature counsel. But to what end should this counsel 

 serve? Clearly, to anticipate the future for the common good. The 

 ideal professor of belles-lettres is wise in determining tendencies 

 to this purpose, that the bad may be kept hidden and the good given 

 cheerful countenance. His chief consideration must be coming accom- 

 plishment, that it may be rich in fulfillment of apparent promise or 

 possible good chance. He must, by his knowledge of what has been, 

 be keen to perceive the best of what may be, ami keep the eyes of 

 others open to dangers likely to overcome the unwary, teach those 

 whom he can influence to discriminate between the meretricious and 

 the honest, between the vulgar and the fine, between the ephemera! 

 and the permanent, between artifice and art. 



" Your young men shall see visions and your old men shall dream 

 dreams." said the prophet. Here we have, as it were, the creators 

 and the critics of literature. The critic indicates the course of past 

 developments; the creator takes the lead to form the new. The 

 st udent'of literature makes stable standards, which he who is destined 

 to replenish the treasured store of ideal art struggles to fulfill. 



Belles-lettres! Yes. beautiful indeed are the letters that reveal 

 nations and individuals to themselves, and stir them to noble en- 

 deavor. There will, it is evident, be no great literature worthy of 

 America until its citizens, once again as clearly as of yore, perceive 

 the firm basis of its national life. how andwhy these States are United. 

 Are they united merely for the advantage of reciprocal trade and 

 mutual protection, only by reason of propinquity, or convenient pur- 

 chase, or warlike conquest? These are not bonds of much strength. 

 If there is no underlying community of race, or tradition, or history 

 among its members, by what shall they be kept one when factiors 

 arise, when local or class interests threaten to disturb the paths of 

 peace? By nothing vital, so far as one can see. except a sympathy of 

 moral life, a sympathy of ideals. And here above all literature has 

 the high privilege to serve. Men of letters have the power to keep 

 clear the vision without which the nation shall perish, Theirs is the 



