is true. Some of them once had minds--and these are the most pitiful
or pitiable of all. It is to be regretted that novels are, with rare
exceptions, written to amuse this class, and limit themselves strictly
to "life," never describing with real skill, so as to interest
anything which would make life worth living for--except love--which is
good to a certain extent, but not absolutely all in all, save to the
eroto-maniac. And as most novelists now pretend to instruct and convey
ideas, beyond mere story-telling, or even being "interesting," which
means the love or detective business, I would suggest to some of these
writers that the marvelous latent powers of the human mind, and also
some art which does not consist of the names and guide-book praises of
a few great painters and the Renaissance _rechauffée_ would be a
refreshing novelty.

The ancient Romans were thoroughly persuaded that _Exercitatione et
usu_ (by exercising the physical faculties in every way; by which they
meant arts as well as gymnastics; and by making such practice
habitual) they could develop intellect, in illustration of which
Lycurgus once took two puppies of the same litter, and had the one
brought up to hunt, while the other was nursed at home in all luxury;
and when grown, and let loose, the one caught a hare, while the other
yelped and ran away. So the word _handy_, in old English _hend_,
meaning quick, alert, or gifted with prompt perception, is derived
from knowing how to use the hands. BRUSONIUS ("Facetiæ," Lyons, 1562)
has collected a great number of classic anecdotes to illustrate this
saying.

_Recapitulation_. Those who desire to become artists, can greatly
facilitate their work, if beginning for example with very simple
outline decorative designs, and having learned the principles on which