and clubs will no doubt be formed all over the country, in imitation of the one mentioned, until the broad a will become as common as flies in summer.  When this result is attained it will be time to attack the sound of ‘u’ with clubs, and make universal the French sound.  In time the American pronunciation will become as superior to all others as are the American sewing-machines and reapers.  In the Broad A Club every member who misbehaves—­that is, mispronounces—­is fined a nickel for each offense.  Of course in the beginning there is a good deal of revenue from this source, but the revenue diminishes as the club improves, so that we have the anomaly of its failure to be self-supporting in proportion to its excellence.  Just now if these clubs could suddenly become universal, and the penalty be enforced, we could have the means of paying off the national debt in a year.

We do not wish to attach too much importance to this movement, but rather to suggest to a continent yearning for culture in letters and in speech whether it may not be carried too far.  The reader will remember that there came a time in Athens when culture could mock at itself, and the rest of the country may be warned in time of a possible departure from good form in devotion to language and literature by the present attitude of modern Athens.  Probably there is no esoteric depth in literature or religion, no refinement in intellectual luxury, that this favored city has not sounded.  It is certainly significant, therefore, when the priestesses and devotees of mental superiority there turn upon it and rend it, when they are heartily tired of the whole literary business.  There is always this danger when anything is passionately pursued as a fashion, that it will one day cease to be the fashion.  Plato and Buddha and even Emerson become in time like a last season’s fashion plate.  Even a “friend of the spirit” will have to go.  Culture is certain to mock itself in time.

The clubs for the improvement of the mind—­the female mind—­and of speech, which no doubt had their origin in modern Athens, should know, then, that it is the highest mark of female culture now in that beautiful town to despise culture, to affect the gayest and most joyous ignorance —­ignorance of books, of all forms of so-called intellectual development, and all literary men, women, and productions whatsoever!  This genuine movement of freedom may be a real emancipation.  If it should reach the metropolis, what a relief it might bring to thousands who are, under a high sense of duty, struggling to advance the intellectual life.  There is this to be said, however, that it is only the very brightest people, those who have no need of culture, who have in fact passed beyond all culture, who can take this position in regard to it, and actually revel in the delights of ignorance.  One must pass into a calm place when he is beyond the desire to know anything or to do anything.