INTELLECT AND IGNORANCE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 4, Issue 1073, 13 May 1882, Page 1 (Supplement)

INTELLECT AND IGNORANCE.

It is surprising how high men of real brains and application mayclimli iii professions''that ate learned and intellectual, and yet how infihitesimaily little they pick uj> of general culture or of insight into the rationale events, past or contemporary. There are, of course, in England hundreds of lawyers whosp minds are embellished with every kind of knowledge,' whose intellectual treasure-house' is rich in' 0 a multitude of delicate thoughts and fancies, \yho ( have'travelled widely, seeh'much, heard much and forgotten riolhingj who would'haye lieen bishops if tliejf had gone into the church, and would have won for themselves the highest niche in the temple , of fame if they had taken to literature.,' -Yet lawyers,' as a; rule, whether bqrristeri or advocates;'are' ilof 'Men eminent for intellectual accomplislimehti. Their conversation alternates' between shop' and slang.' As much almost may be said of the politicians of the period. The average member of Parliament s one of the most unideal,, unintelligent people imaginable. He can talk to tiip House, arid he can sometimes talk over his constituents. Very likely he belongs to the Garrick or Athericeum, but in general society ho is nearly speechless, and when lie'tries to be facetious; in a country 1 house his best jokes are memories of Gossetl's ! room. The society of artists and actors is, in ! these days, greatly appreciated by many persons of consideration," ' They ate found to be so amusing,' so clever, so witty, so original, so quaint, In many instances these qualities : may be forthcoming, but actors and artists are

'riotfas as companions' M 'Righlyjeduca'tedja'sjrißmuTlie.PrSrdentflfthcr. 'Royal Academy.is'a conspicuous, ii j 'grealn ; oh.whichMhail \ . "enterediso Buti,thiugenerah'teiideticyj;is,'iorr„'paihto .toj;intapret,sTennys,.on!sdine,'. '"artis t,'i"s should;liVe lihiar tii ? j in cai se ns.ex.vcry ,v ■ that {.whichVw.asl originallyi;'' ; minU*Motsh"J!(isti!l!F; •; .;..;...!.- ::■;.'£•••;;