Hardship: Through an Optimistic Eye

350 IMPROVEMENT ERA.

character — something to hold up the standard of conduct to what is of real worth in life? "Next, if they believe themselves to have an artistic temper- ament, it would be unwise for them to rush off at once to New York or Paris. Let them stay at home awhile till they have manifested their ability or lack of ability in art. In the past, young persons here and in other states have gone away to study, at vast expense, only to find that they do not possess enough of the artistic sense to rise above the merest mediocrity in the profession. Lack of talent in art can be determined at home as well as abroad, and at a good deal less expense. "And then, too, the time spent at home in ascertaining whether there is any artistic talent to cultivate, and how much, goes also towards developing character. It is incredible the amount of

temptation young artists meet with, and often succumb to, abroad. I mean, of course, temptation in a moral way. Hence the absolute necessity of developing the sense of moral upright- ness and integrity and strength before subjecting oneself to the strain that will necessarily be put upon one at such a place as Paris."

Salt Lake City, Utah.

Hardship —Through an Optimistic Eye.

(For the Improvement Era.)

Hardship's a blessing sent down in disguise, A staff for the weak and a scourge for the wise, And is scattered afar with her tongue of complaints, But is mostly reserved for the faith and the Saints. I know of no mortal she deigneth to slight, But, lo, should there be, here's a path and a light, Be a Latter-day Saint and you'll get a full share, For we have quite enough to go around and to spare. Theodore E. Curtis. Salt Lake City, Utah.