Moore,
Scott had this to say about specialization; "Nothing can be more dangerous for the fame of a professor of the fine arts than to permit (if he can possibly prevent it) the character of a mannerist to be attached to him, or that he should be supposed capable of success only in a particular and limited style. The public are, in general, very ready to adapt the opinion, that he who has pleased them in one peculiar mode of composition is, by means of that very talent, rendered incapable of venturing upon other subjects. The effect of this disinclination on the part of the public toward the artificers of their pleasures, when they attempt to enlarge their means of amusing, amy be seen in the censures usually passed by vulgar criticism upon actors or artist who venture to change the character of their efforts, that in so doing they may enlarge the scale of their art."
He goes on to say that, " There is some justice in this opinion, as there always is in such as attain general currency. It may often happen onthe stage, that an actor, by possessing in a pre-eminent degree the external qualities necessary to give effect to comedy, may be deprived of the right to aspire to tragic excellence; and in painting or literary composition, an artist or poet may be master exclusively of modes of thought and powers of expression which confine him to a single coulrse of subjects. But much more frequently the same capacity which carries a man to popularity in one department will obtain for him sucess in another, and that must be more particularly the case in literary composition than either in acting or painting, because the adventurer in that department is not impeded in his exertions by any peculiarity of features or comformation of person proper for particular parts, or by any peculiar mechinacal habits of using the pencil limited to a particular class of subjects."
On the above reasoning, Sir Walter Scott chose to write a number of stories that have differing basis in fact and fancy.
*** It is unfortunate that in today's educational environment the student isn't taught the value of tasting the wine before commiting to the whole case. How much more enjoyment of life can be had when the bouquet, the acrid bite, perhaps the efervesence, and the aftertaste are appreciated. The writer, artist, composer, &c., resides within all of us (at least from our own narrow perspective) and should be expressed.
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