The critic stood with scornful eye
Before a picture on the wall:
"You call this art? Now see that fly,
It is not natural at all.
It has too many legs, its head
Is far too large--who ever saw
A fly like that, so limp and dead,
And wings that look as if they--pshaw!"
And with a gesture of disgust
He waved his hand, when lo! the fly
Flew from the picture. "Ah! some dust,"
The critic said, "was in my eye."
--_Henry Coyle._
Some one has said that finding fault is done on a smaller capital than
any other business, and it is a very fascinating business, too, for
people of--small calibre.
433
A man must serve his time to every trade,
Save censure; critics all are ready-made.
--_Byron._
434
The culture of a man is like the changing of raw material into the
manufactured article. The uncultured man is comparatively helpless and
worthless.
--_The Religious Telescope._
435
Curiosity! who hath not felt
Its spirit, and before its altar knelt?
436
Custom forms us all;
Our thoughts, our morals, our most fixed belief
Are consequences of our place of birth.
--_Hill._
D
437
_Daughter._--To a father waxing old nothing is dearer than a daughter;
sons have spirits of higher pitch, but less inclined to sweet endearing
fondness.
--_Euripides._
438