Collected works > Edinburgh edition, 1894-98 - Works of Robert Louis Stevenson > Volume 5, 1895 - Miscellanies, Volume II

MEN AND BOOKS
do not know that we can say anything, but that it
is a prodigiously amusing exhibition for a line or so.
The worst of it is, that Whitman must have known
better. The man is a great critic, and, so far as I
can make out, a good one ; and how much criticism
does it require to know that capitulation is not
description, or that fingering on a dumb keyboard,
with whatever show of sentiment and execution, is
not at all the same thing as discoursing music. I
wish I could believe he was quite honest with us ;
but, indeed, who was ever quite honest who wrote a
book for a purpose ? It is a flight beyond the reach
of human magnanimity.
One other point, where his means failed him, must
be touched upon, however shortly. In his desire to
accept all facts loyally and simply, it fell within his
programme to speak at some length and with some
plainness on what is, for I really do not know what
reason, the most delicate of subjects. Seeing in
that one of the most serious and interesting parts
of life, he was aggrieved that it should be looked
upon as ridiculous or shameful. No one speaks of
maternity with his tongue in his cheek ; and Whit-
man made a bold push to set the sanctity of father-
hood beside the sanctity of motherhood, and introduce
this also among the things that can be spoken of
without either a blush or a wink. But the Philistines
have been too strong ; and, to say truth, Whitman
has rather played the fool. We may be thoroughly
conscious that his end is improving ; that it would
be a good thing if a window were opened on these
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