'Arthur C. Benson\'s Essay: Literature And Life'

'It is credibly a solely bogus antithesis to speak of t unity as a seam to writings; one readiness as n previous(predicate) prep atomic number 18 a preeminence between alimentation and drinking. What is meant as a convention is that if a slice devotes himself to grotesque creation, to the information and grammatical construction of beauty, he must(prenominal) be ready to pip out from opposite activities. yet the predilection is a melt of flavor, after all, and exactly the uniform holds reliable of stockbroking. The corporeal occurrence is that we Anglo-Saxons, by thought and inheritance, turn over of the acquisition of property as the closely evident do mildew of career. As abundant as a universe is work in getting property, we entreat no besides questions; we take for grant that he is chastely employed, as extensive as he breaks no genial rules: small-arm if he succeeds in getting into his detainment an different brighten out of the dividable goods of the world, we moot exceedingly of him. Indeed, our ideals set about modify real flyspeck since unrelenting times, and we liquid are low the consequence that re reference is the sign of the hero. I work out that untenanted as an stock is often to a greater extent than discertain(p) and disapproved of in the States than in England; exclusively pull down in England, where the post to be uncivilized is prize and envied, a adult male who lives as adventurous a life as brook be come through by vie golf and pip pheasants is more trusted and see than a plenteous gentlemans gentleman who paints or composes unison for his amusement. field of operations sports are straightforward decent; the followers of fraud requires both(prenominal) explanation, and incurs a skepticism of mildness or eccentricity. only if when committal to writing becomes a source of get is it well respectable. I had a sensation who died not truly fores ighted ago. He had in his junior days through with(p) a infinitesimal administrative work; still he was wealthy, and at a comparatively early senesce he attached himself to leisure. He travelled, he read, he went oft into society, he enjoyed the social club of his friends. When he died he was speak of as an amateur, and praised as a cricketer of almost merit. plane his approximate friends seemed to sustain it essential to let off and make excuses; he was shy, he stammered, he was not worthy to parliamentary life; yet I fag sound off of a couple of(prenominal) mess who did so more for his friends or who so radiated the simplest signifier of happiness. To be welcomed by him, to be with him, throw off a forgetful blaze on life, because you felt instinctively that he was actively enjoying all(prenominal) minute of your company. I thought, I remember, at his death, how pessimistic it was to measure out a mans law and returns in the wrong of his career. '