Studies in the South and West, with Comments on CanadaWarner, Charles Dudley
History
Studies in the South and West, with Comments on Canada
Warner, Charles Dudley
Canada -- Description and travel; United States -- Description and travel
I did not intend, however, to enter upon a disquisition of the different
types of civilization in Cincinnati and in Louisville. One observes them
as evidences of what has heretofore been mentioned, the great variety
in American life, when one looks below the surface. The traveller enjoys
both types, and is rejoiced to find such variety, culture, taking in one
city the form of the worship of beauty and the enjoyment of life, and
in the other greater tendency to the fine arts. Louisville is a city of
churches, of very considerable religious activity, and of pretty stanch
orthodoxy. I do not mean to say that what are called modern ideas do
not leaven its society. In one of its best literary clubs I heard the
Spencerian philosophy expounded and advocated with the enthusiasm and
keenness of an emancipated Eastern town. But it is as true of Louisville
as it is of other Southern cities that traditional faith is less
disturbed by doubts and isms than in many Eastern towns. One notes
here also, as all over the South, the marked growth of the temperance
movement. The Kentuckians believe that they produce the best fluid from
rye and corn in the Union, and that they are the best judges of it.
Neither proposition will be disputed, nor will one trifle with a
legitimate pride in a home production; but there is a new spirit abroad,
and both Bourbon and the game that depends quite as much upon the
knowledge of human nature as upon the turn of the cards are silently
going to the rear. Always Kentuckians have been distinguished in
politics, in oratory, in the professions of law and of medicine; nor has
the city ever wanted scholars in historical lore, men who have not only
kept alive the traditions of learning and local research, like Col. John
Mason Brown, but have exhibited the true antiquarian spirit of Col.
H. T. Durrett, whose historical library is worth going far to see and
study. It will be a great pity if his exceedingly valuable collection is
not preserved to the State to become the nucleus of a Historical Society
worthy of the State’s history. When I spoke of art it was in a public
sense; there are many individuals who have good pictures and especially
interesting portraits, and in the early days Kentucky produced at least
one artist, wholly self-taught, who was a rare genius. Matthew H. Jouett
was born in Mercer County in 1780, and died in Louisville in 1820. In
the course of his life he painted as many as three hundred and fifty
portraits, which are scattered all over the Union. In his mature years
he was for a time with Stuart in Boston. Some specimens of his work in
Louisville are wonderfully fine, recalling the style and traditions
of the best masters, some of them equal if not superior to the best
by Stuart, and suggesting in color and solidity the vigor and grace of
Vandyck. He was the product of no school but nature and his own genius.
Louisville has always had a scholarly and aggressive press, and its
traditions are not weakened in Mr.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account