Finally, in the consideration of the Art of Acting, it must never be forgotten that its ultimate aim is beauty.  Truth itself is only an element of beauty, and to merely reproduce things vile and squalid and mean is a debasement of Art.  There is apt to be such a tendency in an age of peace, and men should carefully watch its manifestations.  A morose and hopeless dissatisfaction is not a part of a true national life.  This is hopeful and earnest, and, if need be, militant.  It is a bad sign for any nation to yearn for, or even to tolerate, pessimism in its enjoyment; and how can pessimism be other than antagonistic to beauty?  Life, with all its pains and sorrows, is a beautiful and a precious gift; and the actor’s Art is to reproduce this beautiful thing, giving due emphasis to those royal virtues and those stormy passions which sway the destinies of men.  Thus the lesson given by long experience—­by the certain punishment of ill-doing—­and by the rewards that follow on bravery, forbearance, and self-sacrifice, are on the mimic stage conveyed to men.  And thus every actor who is more than a mere machine, and who has an ideal of any kind, has a duty which lies beyond the scope of his personal ambition.  His art must be something to hold in reverence if he wishes others to hold it in esteem.  There is nothing of chance about this work.  All, actors and audience alike, must bear in mind that the whole scheme of the higher Drama is not to be regarded as a game in life which can be played with varying success.  Its present intention may be to interest and amuse, but its deeper purpose is earnest, intense, sincere.