Essayistic Ventures and Topical Asides

These essayistic ventures, like the traditional American essay, are uninhibited in their range of interests. The general condition humaine, life and death and peace and war, attracts its fair share of attention, as does the political world, democracy, autocracy and imperialism. Matters philosophical, psychological, religious, scientific and economic provide plentiful fodder for discussion, and America's cultural/social world-its government and sundry institutions, its medical care, education and prisons, and its age of electronics-is ready matter for chronic studied comment. And current events of general significance and personal interest, and a few public dignitaries and notorieties have their merited share of attention. These essayistic ventures and asides emulate the manner of the traditional essay no less than they do its matter. Their variable brevity, studied structure and formal language are reminiscent of the composition of the old essay. And like the traditional essay, these current efforts are intent upon information, instruction and improvement. It is hoped that this return to the traditional American essay resonates positively with readers and writers, and so much as to persuade a fair number of these to attempt their own essays. Such could help to energize a pending popular revival of the venerable essay.