The Mystic Will | Page 9

from which he never recovered. In this, as in all such cases, it was not
so much conviction or reason which influenced the sufferer as the mere
effect of Attention often awakened till it had become what is known as
a fixed idea.
A deliberate reflection on what I have here advanced can hardly fail to
make it clear to any reader that if he really desires to take an interest in
any subject, it is possible to do so, because Nature has placed in every
mind vast capacity for attention or fixing ideas, and where the
Attention is fixed, Interest, by equally easy process, may always be
induced to follow. And note that these preliminary preparations should
invariably be as elementary and easy as possible, this being a condition
which it is impossible to exaggerate. In a vast majority of cases people
who would fain be known as taking an interest in Art begin at the
wrong end, or in the most difficult manner possible, by running through
galleries where they only acquire a superficial knowledge of results,
and learn at best how to talk showily about what they have skimmed.
Now to this end a good article in a cyclopædia, or a small treatise like
that of TAINE'S "Æsthetic" thoroughly read and re-read, till it be really
mastered, and then verified by study of a very few good pictures in a
single collection, will do more to awaken sincere interest than the loose
ranging through all the exhibitions in the world. I have read in many
novels thrilling descriptions of the effect and results when all the
glories of the Louvre or Vatican first burst upon some impassioned and
unsophisticated youth, who from that moment found himself an Artist--
but I still maintain that it would have been a hundred times better for
him had his Attention and Interest been previously attracted to a few
pictures, and his mind accustomed to reflect on them.
Be the subject in which we would take an interest artistic or scientific,
literary or social, the best way to begin herewith is to carefully read the
simplest and easiest account of it which we can obtain, in order that we
may know just exactly what it is, or its definition. And this done, let the
student at once, while the memory is fresh in mind, follow it up by
other research or reading, observations or inquiries, on the same subject,

for three books read together on anything will profit more than a
hundred at long intervals. In fact, a great deal of broken, irregular or
disjointed reading is often as much worse than none at all, as a little
coherent study is advantageous.
Many people would very willingly take an interest in many subjects if
they knew how. It is a melancholy thing to see a man retired from
business with literally nothing to do but fritter away his time on
nothings when he might be employed at something absorbing and
useful. But they hesitate to act because, as is the rule in life, they see
everything from its most difficult and repulsive side. There is no man
who could not easily take an intelligent interest in Art in some form,
but I venture to say that a majority of even educated people who had
never taken up the subject would be appalled at it in their secret hearts,
or distrust its "use" or their own capacity to master it. Or again, many
put no faith in easy manuals to begin with, believing, in their ignorance,
that a mere collection of rudiments cannot have much in it. We are all
surrounded by thousands of subjects in which we might all take an
interest, and do good work, if we would, selecting one, give it a little
attention, and by easy process proceed to learn it. As it is, in general
society the man or woman who has any special pursuit,
accomplishment, or real interest for leisure hours, beyond idle gossip
and empty time-killing, is a great exception. And yet I sincerely believe
that in perhaps a majority of cases there is a sincere desire to do
something, which is killed by simple ignorance of the fact that with a
very little trouble indeed interest in something is within the easy reach
of all.
I have dwelt on this subject that the reader may be induced to reflect on
the fact, firstly, that if he wishes to learn how to develop his Will and
strengthen it, it is absolutely necessary to take an interest in it. I beg
him to consider how this art of acquiring attention and interest has been,
or is, obscured in most minds, and the difficulties of acquiring it,
exaggerated. Secondly, I would point out that the method of process for