enjoyment in itself keener than that experienced by another man； and intensified； prolonged； by the power……which es to him we know not how……of recording in visible or audible form that emotion of rare vitality。 Art； in some degree； is within the scope of every human being； were he but the ploughman who utters a few would…be melodious notes； the mere oute of health and strength； in the field at sunrise； he sings； or tries to； prompted by an unusual gusto in being； and the rude stave is all his own。 Another was he； who also at the plough； sang of the daisy； of the field…mouse； or shaped the rhythmic tale of Tam o' Shanter。 Not only had life a zest for him incalculably stronger and subtler than that which stirs the soul of Hodge； but he uttered it in word and music such as go to the heart of mankind； and hold a magic power for ages。
For some years there has been a great deal of talk about Art in our country。 It began； I suspect； when the veritable artistic impulse of the Victorian time had flagged； when the energy of a great time was all but exhausted。 Principles always bee a matter of vehement discussion when practice is at ebb。 Not by taking thought does one bee an artist； or grow even an inch in that direction…… which is not at all the same as saying that he who IS an artist cannot profit by conscious effort。 Goethe （the example so often urged by imitators unlike him in every feature of humanity） took thought enough about his Faust； but what of those youthtime lyrics； not the least precious of his achievements； which were scribbled as fast as pen could go； thwartwise on the paper； because he could not stop to set it straight？ Dare I pen； even for my own eyes； the venerable truth that an artist is born and not made？ It seems not superfluous； in times which have h