The adolescent / by J.W. Slaughter.

  • Slaughter, J. W.
Date:
1911
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: The adolescent / by J.W. Slaughter. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    reception of the degree prepares for the serious business of life, but the ceremonial is so deeply rooted in tradition that it is generally accepted as adequate. The whole process is evidence of the special regard which mankind has accorded to the transition from youth to adult- hood. In other than ceremonial ways mankind has shown its love for youth and interest in its doings. Few of the departments of literature would have meaning without it. Human interest is imparted to a story chiefly through love and adventure. If one considers current novels it is easily seen that no essential difference exists between one and another. The old people parti- cipating are varied somewhat, but this alteration, like others, is only in the stage scenery ; the movement of the drama is always the same—two adolescents discovering each other. The love affairs of the middle- aged lack interest, they are stale and always appear against the drab background of experience. Many people by means of circulating libraries and similar devices regale themselves constantly with this drama of youthful love. To be sure, the element of adventure is added, but this is also the province of youth—the unexpected has no right to happen to the middle-aged. To the young only is accorded the privilege of receiving fortunes from unknown uncles and of being marvellously successful after great difficulties in any of the under- takings of life. But poetry and fiction are not alone in recording the high esteem given to youth. The beauty of the youthful figure is necessary to inspire the imagination of the sculptor. It is well known that the sculptor has a great antipathy to clothes and to the aged, and deals