Sealed Lips — page 31: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

SEALED LIPS, 23 “Would you like it better if the two thousand people had hissed you last night and the twelve bala-headed critics should praise you this morning »” “Perhaps, for to-morrow these two thousand people will make their public apologies to these twelve gentlemen that you speak of, and excuse themselves for having applauded me too quickly.” “That would be preposterous. But what have you not upset these last hundred years, you fellows of the revolution” “We thought to overturn all tyrannies, those of priests as well as kings. But another has sprung up—a band composed of critics and young fellows have put their feet upon the public, and have made them submit. ‘Obey,’ cries this Kobespierre of music, literature, and the pencil. ‘Too long art has gloried in being your servant. Too long we have solicited your approbation. In your turn you must bow before us. What we lke you must like. What we youngsters give you you will pretend to like and understand. What you think is of little importance to us. We advise you, above all things, not to sulk. We put away the scorned dish for pouting children until they are resigned to swal- low it, free to make up faces. Thus we shall do with you, oh, Frenchmen! We will take away the old masters, servile flatterers of your pleasure. What matters itif half a century is necessary to make you forget your tastes, instincts, and national customs? We will be patient, first because we have GOmMmiGhbooks 0)