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About Hesperian student / (Lincoln [Neb.]) 1872-1885 | View Entire Issue (June 1, 1883)
Wm mirnnninmmmmmmstSDi THE HESPERIAN STUDENT. large idea, when such happens to spring up in a man's head, generally has trouble in getting itself expressed and so it is sometimes even good policy as Carlyle and others long since found out to culti vate a labored or uncommon style. The business of the journalist is to grind out a certain amount of readable matter, the business of the student is to aquirc the habit of "thinking largely," and if he can accomplish this he may rest assured that the English Language will afford him a sufficient means of making known his thought to others. ghc student's cray-book. PORTIA. The character which wo will now consider is one wors thy of careful attention and sludy. Everything connected with the life and surroundings of Portia excites our in terest; her wealth, her social position, her many suitors and the peculiar conditions by which her choice was effected; her home and more especially her character, that only sure possession. Friends, wealth and home may disappear but character is always standing by iu whatever guise we would have it. Portia was possessed of great personal beauty. Little is said directly of her appearance, yet much is implied. Bassauio may not be considered an unprejudiced ob server in this case, nevertheless he snya of her "Sho is fair And fairer than that word of wondrous virtues." "Her eunny locks Hang on her temples like a golden fleece." We may imagiuo her as tall and commanding in ap pearance, yet her maimers marked ever with gentleness and kindness. The only child of a fond, though peculiar father, her every wish was gratified ; however from the part she takes it would seem that careful training had been ad ded to indulgence. With what pride must her father, a man learned in tire law, have watched the development of thosn powers which afterwards enabled her to rcscuo her husband's friend from so strange and terrible a death. Her maidenly virtues greet us on every page. The love and obediauce to her father were remarkable, yield ing to his will even in what seems to us a caprice, yes even an unkind and ungenerous one. The palace was literally haunted with suitors, for Portia's hand, for whom she had no liking and whoso presence, on such an errand, was positively distasteful to her tho more be cause her happiness was subject to tho uucertanties of mere chance. 8ho tells us, in her own way, of her an uoyauccs the Neapolitan prince ever extolliug tho vir tues of his colt and of himself in that ho could shoo his own horse, Count Palatine with his continual frown of whom Portia says "I had rather be married to a death's head with a bone in his mouth." A. French Lord who combined tho qualities of the gentlemen aforesaid with others innumerable, or as she expressed it was "Every man in no mail." Then followed an English Baron, a Scottish Lord, a German Duke, and the long list is ended with Ba9sanio. Tho manner in which sho spoaks of this suitor shows plainly tlu favor in which ho is hold and causes a doubt as to tho disinterestedness of her critU cism of tho others. Portia's best nature shines forth in tho trial sccno. Shakespeare has not created two stronger characters thau Portia and Shylock, nor can wo concclvo of a moro per fect contrast. Standing side by side, as they do, their strong points are tho moro perccptablo. Little realizing the nature of him she has to deal with, Portia begins by pleading for mercy in thoso wonderful lines old, yet showing forth new beauty with each repetition, "The quality of mercy Is not strained: It droppcth as the gentlo rain from Heaven Upon tho placo beneath: it Is twico blessed It blesscth him that gives, and him that takes; "Tls mightiest In tho mightiest; It becomes Tho throned monarch better then his crown. It is an attribute of God hlmsolf, And earthly power doth then show llkost God's Wlwn mercy seasons Justice." It would seem that such words as these would havo moved an ordinary man but the very soul of Shylock was blackened by tho hatred ho bore toward all Christians and especially Antonio. His determination for revengo made him blind even to his own interests. She tries in vain to arouse his avarice appeals to his pity but with out avail, and as a last resort secures her object by a mere quibble brought out by her own ingenuity. Portia was dignified, endowed with high mental power aud possessed of n remarkably joyous nature such as naturally goes with strength of character. No brooding over trouble or signs oi that dull despair which is ever indicative of weakness. Women often have a part of the virtues possessed by Portia. While she seems a natural character and one which might very possibly exist yet morality, intelli gence, true sentiment, ia fact all thoqualitics which go to make up a harmonious character, arc superlative iu her and truly such characters arc rare. Shakespeare's noble women are almost universally un pretentious. They are mtural. Wo often hear them ex pressing thoughts aud feelings so similar to our own that it creates a sympathy aud interest which cannot bo produced by the common heroines of tragedy. Their words appeal to our better nature and a knowledge of lliem must result in benefit to us. H. M. H. MUSIO IN NATURE. Beauty still walkcth on Earth nid air, Our purple sunsets aro as rich In gold As o'er tho Illlnd's Music was out rolled; Tho roses of Spring are ever fair, Aud tho deep sea still foams Its music old. Music is sometimes called the daughter of heavenly spheres; but if that is her true home, then men must have como from very different spheres, for in none of the arts do we fiud a greater variety of tastes. Nature does not guide us, for the sounds she produces differ mainly in the greater or lesser regularity with which they .arc re peated: The patteriugof raln-drops on the roof is a spas modic explosion of short dissonant notes: iu tho purling of a brook and the rustling of leaves, tho transitions aro softer and less sudden, while tho howling of tho wind presents sounds which change continually, rising and A 1