第3章

NOTEStoESSAYVII

[1]Quartopoetry，aswellasquartometaphysics，doesnotalwayssell。

GoingonedayintoashopinPaternosterRowtoseeforsomelinesinMr。Wordsworth”s_Excursion_tointerlardsomeprosewith，Iappliedtotheconstitutedauthorities，andaskedifIcouldlookatacopyofthe_Excursion？_Theanswerwas，”Intowhichcountry，sir？”

[2]ThesefantasticpoetsarelikeafoolishringeratPlymouththatNorthcotetellsthestoryof。Hewasproudofhisringing，andtheboyswhomadeajestofhisfoibleusedtogethiminthebelfryandaskhim，”Wellnow，John，howmanygoodringersarethereinPlymouth？””Two”

hewouldsay，withoutanyhesitation。”Ay，indeed！andwhoarethey？””Why，first，there”smyself，that”sone；and——and——””Well，andwho”stheother？””Why，there”s——there”s——Ecod，Ican”tthinkofanyotherbutmyself。”_TalkweofoneMasterLauncelot。_Thestoryisofringers：itwilldoforanyvain，shallow，self-satisfiedegotistofthemall。

ESSAYVIII

ONTHEIGNORANCEOFTHELEARNED

Forthemorelanguagesamancanspeak，Histalenthasbutsprungthegreaterleak：

And，fortheindustryhehasspentupon”t，Mustfullasmuchsomeotherwaydiscount。

TheHebrew，Chaldee，andtheSyriacDo，liketheirletters，setmen”sreasonback，AndturntheirwitsthatstrivetounderstandIt(Likethosethatwritethecharacters)left-handed。

YethethatisbutabletoexpressNosenseatallinseverallanguagesWillpassforlearnederthanhethat”sknownTospeakthestrongestreasoninhisown——BUTLER。

Thedescriptionofpersonswhohavethefewestideasofallothersaremereauthorsandreaders。Itisbettertobeableneithertoreadnorwritethantobeabletodonothingelse。Aloungerwhoisordinarilyseenwithabookinhishandis(wemaybealmostsure)equallywithoutthepowerorinclinationtoattendeithertowhatpassesaroundhimorinhisownmind。Suchaonemaybesaidtocarryhisunderstandingaboutwithhiminhispocket，ortoleaveitathomeonhislibraryshelves。Heisafraidofventuringonanytrainofreasoning，orofstrikingoutanyobservationthatisnotmechanicallysuggestedtohimbyparsinghiseyesovercertainlegiblecharacters；shrinksfromthefatigueofthought，which，forwantofpractice，becomesinsupportabletohim；andsitsdowncontentedwithanendless，wearisomesuccessionofwordsandhalf-formedimages，whichfillthevoidofthemind，andcontinuallyeffaceoneanother。Learningis，intoomanycases，butafoiltocommonsense；asubstitutefortrueknowledge。Booksarelessoftenmadeuseofas”spectacles”tolookatnaturewith，thanasblindstokeepoutitsstronglightandshiftingsceneryfromweakeyesandindolentdispositions。Thebook-wormwrapshimselfupinhiswebofverbalgeneralities，andseesonlytheglimmeringshadowsofthingsreflectedfromthemindsofothers。Nature_putshimout。_Theimpressionsofrealobjects，strippedofthedisguisesofwordsandvoluminousroundaboutdescriptions，areblowsthatstaggerhim；theirvarietydistracts，theirrapidityexhaustshim；andheturnsfromthebustle，thenoise，andglare，andwhirlingmotionoftheworldabouthim(whichhehasnotaneyetofollowinitsfantasticchanges，noranunderstandingtoreducetofixedprinciples)，tothequietmonotonyofthedeadlanguages，andthelessstartlingandmoreintelligiblecombinationsofthelettersofthealphabet。Itiswell，itisperfectlywell。”Leavemetomyrepose”isthemottoofthesleepingandthedead。Youmightaswellasktheparalytictoleapfromhischairandthrowawayhiscrutch，or，withoutamiracle，to”takeuphisbedandwalk”asexpectthelearnedreadertothrowdownhisbookandthinkforhimself。Heclingstoitforhisintellectualsupport；andhisdreadofbeinglefttohimselfislikethehorrorofavacuum。Hecanonlybreathealearnedatmosphere，asothermenbreathecommonair。

Heisaborrowerofsense。Hehasnoideasofhisown，andmustliveonthoseofotherpeople。Thehabitofsupplyingourideasfromforeignsources”enfeeblesallinternalstrengthofthought”asacourseofdram-drinkingdestroysthetoneofthestomach。Thefacultiesofthemind，whennotexerted，orwhencrampedbycustomandauthority，becomelistless，torpid，andunfitforthepurposesofthoughtoraction。Canwewonderatthelanguorandlassitudewhichisthusproducedbyalifeoflearnedslothandignorance；byporingoverlinesandsyllablesthatexcitelittlemoreideaorinterestthaniftheywerethecharactersofanunknowntongue，tilltheeyeclosesonvacancy，andthebookdropsfromthefeeblehand！Iwouldratherbeawood-cutter，orthemeanesthind，thatallday”sweatsintheeyeofPhoebus，andatnightsleepsinElysium”thanwearoutmylifeso，”twixtdreamingandawake。”Thelearnedauthordiffersfromthelearnedstudentinthis，thattheonetranscribeswhattheotherreads。Thelearnedaremereliterarydrudges。Ifyousetthemuponoriginalcomposition，theirheadsturn，theydon”tknowwheretheyare。Theindefatigablereadersofbooksareliketheeverlastingcopiersofpictures，who，whentheyattempttodoanythingoftheirown，findtheywantaneyequickenough，ahandsteadyenough，andcoloursbrightenough，totracethelivingformsofnature。

Anyonewhohaspassedthroughtheregulargradationsofaclassicaleducation，andisnotmadeafoolbyit，mayconsiderhimselfashavinghadaverynarrowescape。Itisanoldremark，thatboyswhoshineatschooldonotmakethegreatestfigurewhentheygrowupandcomeoutintotheworld。Thethings，infact，whichaboyissettolearnatschool，andonwhichhissuccessdepends，arethingswhichdonotrequiretheexerciseeitherofthehighestorthemostusefulfacultiesofthemind。Memory(andthatofthelowestkind)isthechieffacultycalledintoplayinconningoverandrepeatinglessonsbyroteingrammar，inlanguages，ingeography，arithmetic，etc。，sothathewhohasthemostofthistechnicalmemory，withtheleastturnforotherthings，whichhaveastrongerandmorenaturalclaimuponhischildishattention，willmakethemostforwardschool-boy。Thejargoncontainingthedefinitionsofthepartsofspeech，therulesforcastingupanaccount，ortheinflectionsofaGreekverb，canhavenoattractiontothetyrooftenyearsold，exceptastheyareimposedasataskuponhimbyothers，orfromhisfeelingthewantofsufficientrelishofamusementinotherthings。Aladwithasicklyconstitutionandnoveryactivemind，whocanjustretainwhatispointedouttohim，andhasneithersagacitytodistinguishnorspirittoenjoyforhimself，willgenerallybeattheheadofhisform。Anidleratschool，ontheotherhand，isonewhohashighhealthandspirits，whohasthefreeuseofhislimbs，withallhiswitsabouthim，whofeelsthecirculationofhisbloodandthemotionofhisheart，whoisreadytolaughandcryinabreath，andwhohadratherchaseaballorabutterfly，feeltheopenairinhisface，lookatthefieldsorthesky，followawindingpath，orenterwitheagernessintoallthelittleconflictsandinterestsofhisacquaintancesandfriends，thandozeoveramustyspelling-book，repeatbarbarousdistichsafterhismaster，sitsomanyhourspinionedtoawriting-desk，andreceivehisrewardforthelossoftimeandpleasureinpaltryprize-medalsatChristmasandMidsummer。Thereisindeedadegreeofstupiditywhichpreventschildrenfromlearningtheusuallessons，oreverarrivingatthesepunyacademichonours。Butwhatpassesforstupidityismuchoftenerawantofinterest，ofasufficientmotivetofixtheattentionandforceareluctantapplicationtothedryandunmeaningpursuitsofschool-learning。Thebestcapacitiesareasmuchabovethisdrudgeryasthedullestarebeneathit。Ourmenofthegreatestgeniushavenotbeenmostdistinguishedfortheiracquirementsatschoolorattheuniversity。

Th”enthusiastFancywasatruantever。

GrayandCollinswereamongtheinstancesofthiswaywarddisposition。

Suchpersonsdonotthinksohighlyoftheadvantages，norcantheysubmittheirimaginationssoservilelytothetrammelsofstrictscholasticdiscipline。Thereisacertainkindanddegreeofintellectinwhichwordstakeroot，butintowhichthingshavenotpowertopenetrate。Amediocrityoftalent，withacertainslendernessofmoralconstitution，isthesoilthatproducesthemostbrilliantspecimensofsuccessfulprize-essayistsandGreekepigrammatists。ItshouldnotbeforgottenthattheleastrespectablecharacteramongmodernpoliticianswasthecleverestboyatEton。

Learningistheknowledgeofthatwhichisnotgenerallyknowntoothers，andwhichwecanonlyderiveatsecond-handfrombooksorotherartificialsources。Theknowledgeofthatwhichisbeforeus，oraboutus，whichappealstoourexperience，passions，andpursuits，tothebosomsandbusinessesofmen，isnotlearning。Learningistheknowledgeofthatwhichnonebutthelearnedknow。Heisthemostlearnedmanwhoknowsthemostofwhatisfarthestremovedfromcommonlifeandactualobservation，thatisoftheleastpracticalutility，andleastliabletobebroughttothetestofexperience，andthat，havingbeenhandeddownthroughthegreatestnumberofintermediatestages，isthemostfullofuncertainty，difficulties，andcontradictions。Itisseeingwiththeeyesofothers，hearingwiththeirears，andpinningourfaithontheirunderstandings。Thelearnedmanprideshimselfintheknowledgeofnamesanddates，notofmenorthings。Hethinksandcaresnothingabouthisnext-doorneighbours，butheisdeeplyreadinthetribesandcastesoftheHindoosandCalmueTartars。Hecanhardlyfindhiswayintothenextstreet，thoughheisacquaintedwiththeexactdimensionsofConstantinopleandPekin。Hedoesnotknowwhetherhisoldestacquaintanceisaknaveorafool，buthecanpronounceapompouslectureonalltheprincipalcharactersinhistory。Hecannottellwhetheranobjectisblackorwhite，roundorsquare，andyetheisaprofessedmasterofthelawsofopticsandtherulesofperspective。Heknowsasmuchofwhathetalksaboutasablindmandoesofcolours。Hecannotgiveasatisfactoryanswertotheplainestquestion，norisheeverintherightinanyoneofhisopinionsuponanyonematteroffactthatreallycomesbeforehim，andyethegiveshimselfoutforaninfalliblejudgeonallthesepoints，ofwhichitisimpossiblethatheoranyotherpersonlivingshouldknowanythingbutbyconjecture。Heisexpertinallthedeadandinmostofthelivinglanguages；buthecanneitherspeakhisownfluently，norwriteitcorrectly。Apersonofthisclass，thesecondGreekscholarofhisday，undertooktopointoutseveralsolecismsinMilton”sLatinstyle；andinhisownperformancethereishardlyasentenceofcommonEnglish。SuchwasDr。SuchisDr。SuchwasnotPorson。Hewasanexceptionthatconfirmedthegeneralrule，amanthat，byunitingtalentsandknowledgewithlearning，madethedistinctionbetweenthemmorestrikingandpalpable。

Amerescholar，whoknowsnothingbutbooks，mustbeignorantevenofthem。”Booksdonotteachtheuseofbooks。”Howshouldheknowanythingofaworkwhoknowsnothingofthesubjectofit？Thelearnedpedantisconversantwithbooksonlyastheyaremadeofotherbooks，andthoseagainofothers，withoutend。Heparrotsthosewhohaveparrotedothers。Hecantranslatethesamewordintotendifferentlanguages，butheknowsnothingofthe_thing_whichitmeansinanyoneofthem。Hestuffshisheadwithauthoritiesbuiltonauthorities，withquotationsquotedfromquotations，whilehelocksuphissenses，hisunderstanding，andhisheart。Heisunacquaintedwiththemaximsandmannersoftheworld；heistoseekinthecharactersofindividuals。

Heseesnobeautyinthefaceofnatureorofart。Tohim”themightyworldofeyeandear”ishid；and”knowledge”exceptatoneentrance，”quiteshutout。”Hispridetakespartwithhisignorance；andhisself-importanceriseswiththenumberofthingsofwhichbedoesnotknowthevalue，andwhichhethereforedespisesasunworthyofhisnotice。Heknowsnothingofpictures，——”OfthecolouringofTitian，thegraceofRaphael，thepurityofDomenichino，the_corregioscity_ofCorreggio，thelearningofPoussin，theairsofGuido，thetasteoftheCaracci，orthegrandcontourofMichaelAngelo”——ofallthosegloriesoftheItalianandmiraclesoftheFlemishschool，whichhavefilledtheeyesofmankindwithdelight，andtothestudyandimitationofwhichthousandshaveinvaindevotedtheirlives。Thesearetohimasiftheyhadneverbeen，ameredeadletter，aby-word；andnowonder，forheneitherseesnorunderstandstheirprototypesinnature。AprintofRubens”Watering-placeorClaude”sEnchantedCastlemaybehangingonthewallsofhisroomformonthswithouthisonceperceivingthem；andifyoupointthemouttohimhewillturnawayfromthem。Thelanguageofnature，orofart(whichisanothernature)，isonethathedoesnotunderstand。HerepeatsindeedthenamesofApellesandPhidias，becausetheyaretobefoundinclassicauthors，andboastsoftheirworksasprodigies，becausetheynolongerexist；orwhenheseesthefinestremainsofGrecianartactuallybeforehimintheElginMarbles，takesnootherinterestinthemthanastheyleadtoalearneddispute，and(whichisthesamething)aquarrelaboutthemeaningofaGreekparticle。Heisequallyignorantofmusic；he”knowsnotouchofit”

fromthestrainsoftheall-accomplishedMozarttotheshepherd”spipeuponthemountain。Hisearsarenailedtohisbooks；anddeadenedwiththesoundoftheGreekandLatintongues，andthedinandsmitheryofschool-learning。Doesheknowanythingmoreofpoetry？Heknowsthenumberoffeetinaverse，andofactsinaplay；butofthesoulorspiritheknowsnothing。HecanturnaGreekodeintoEnglish，oraLatinepigramintoGreekverse；butwhethereitherisworththetroubleheleavestothecritics。Doesheunderstand”theactandpractiquepartoflife”betterthan”thetheorique”？No。Heknowsnoliberalormechanicart，notradeoroccupation，nogameofskillorchance。

Learning”hasnoskillinsurgery”inagriculture，inbuilding，inworkinginwoodoriniron；itcannotmakeanyinstrumentoflabour，oruseitwhenmade；itcannothandletheploughorthespade，orthechiselorthehammer；itknowsnothingofhuntingorhawking，fishingorshooting，ofhorsesordogs，offencingordancing，orcudgel-playing，orbowls，orcards，ortennis，oranythingelse。Thelearnedprofessorofallartsandsciencescannotreduceanyoneofthemtopractice，thoughhemaycontributeanaccountofthemtoanEncyclopedia。Hehasnottheuseofhishandsnorofhisfeet；hecanneitherrun，norwalk，norswim；andheconsidersallthosewhoactuallyunderstandandcanexerciseanyoftheseartsofbodyormindasvulgarandmechanicalmen，——thoughtoknowalmostanyoneoftheminperfectionrequireslongtimeandpractice，withpowersoriginallyfitted，andaturnofmindparticularlydevotedtothem。Itdoesnotrequiremorethanthistoenablethelearnedcandidatetoarrive，bypainfulstudy，atadoctor”sdegreeandafellowship，andtoeat，drink，andsleeptherestofhislife！

Thethingisplain。Allthatmenreallyunderstandisconfinedtoaverysmallcompass；totheirdailyaffairsandexperience；towhattheyhaveanopportunitytoknow，andmotivestostudyorpractise。Therestisaffectationandimposture。Thecommonpeoplehavetheuseoftheirlimbs；fortheylivebytheirlabourorskill。Theyunderstandtheirownbusinessandthecharactersofthosetheyhavetodealwith；foritisnecessarythattheyshould。Theyhaveeloquencetoexpresstheirpassions，andwitatwilltoexpresstheircontemptandprovokelaughter。Theirnaturaluseofspeechisnothungupinmonumentalmockery，inanobsoletelanguage；noristheirsenseofwhatisludicrous，orreadinessatfindingoutallusionstoexpressit，buriedincollectionsof_Anas_。Youwillhearmoregoodthingsontheoutsideofastage-coachfromLondontoOxfordthanifyouweretopassatwelvemonthwiththeundergraduates，orheadsofcolleges，ofthatfamousuniversity；andmore_home_truthsaretobelearntfromlisteningtoanoisydebateinanalehousethanfromattendingaformaloneintheHouseofCommons。Anelderlycountrygentlewomanwilloftenknowmoreofcharacter，andbeabletoillustrateitbymoreamusinganecdotestakenfromthehistoryofwhathasbeensaid，done，andgossipedinacountrytownforthelastfiftyyears，thanthebestbluestockingoftheagewillbeabletogleanfromthatsortoflearningwhichconsistsinanacquaintancewithallthenovelsandsatiricalpoemspublishedinthesameperiod。Peopleintowns，indeed，arewoefullydeficientinaknowledgeofcharacter，whichtheyseeonly_inthebust_，notasawhole-length。Peopleinthecountrynotonlyknowallthathashappenedtoaman，buttracehisvirtuesorvices，astheydohisfeatures，intheirdescentthroughseveralgenerations，andsolvesomecontradictioninhisbehaviourbyacrossinthebreedhalfacenturyago。Thelearnedknownothingofthematter，eitherintownorcountry。Aboveall，themassofsocietyhavecommonsense，whichthelearnedinallageswant。Thevulgarareintherightwhentheyjudgeforthemselves；theyarewrongwhentheytrusttotheirblindguides。

Thecelebratednonconformistdivine，Baxter，wasalmoststonedtodeathbythegoodwomenofKidderminster，forassertingfromthepulpitthat”hellwaspavedwithinfants”skulls”；but，bytheforceofargument，andoflearnedquotationsfromtheFathers，thereverendpreacheratlengthprevailedoverthescruplesofhiscongregation，andoverreasonandhumanity。

Suchistheusewhichhasbeenmadeofhumanlearning。Thelabourersinthisvineyardseemasifitwastheirobjecttoconfoundallcommonsense，andthedistinctionsofgoodandevil，bymeansoftraditionalmaximsandpreconceivednotionstakenupontrust，andincreasinginabsurditywithincreaseofage。Theypilehypothesisonhypothesis，mountainhigh，tillitisimpossibletocomeattheplaintruthonanyquestion。Theyseethings，notastheyare，butastheyfindtheminbooks，and”winkandshuttheirapprehensionsup”inorderthattheymaydiscovernothingtointerferewiththeirprejudicesorconvincethemoftheirabsurdity。Itmightbesupposedthattheheightofhumanwisdomconsistedinmaintainingcontradictionsandrenderingnonsensesacred。Thereisnodogma，howeverfierceorfoolish，towhichthesepersonshavenotsettheirseals，andtriedtoimposeontheunderstandingsoftheirfollowersasthewillofHeaven，clothedwithalltheterrorsandsanctionsofreligion。Howlittlehasthehumanunderstandingbeendirectedtofindoutthetrueanduseful！Howmuchingenuityhasbeenthrownawayinthedefenceofcreedsandsystems！

Howmuchtimeandtalentshavebeenwastedintheologicalcontroversy，inlaw，inpolitics，inverbalcriticism，injudicialastrology，andinfindingouttheartofmakinggold！WhatactualbenefitdowereapfromthewritingsofaLaudoraWhitgift，orofBishopBullorBishopWaterland，orPrideaux”Connections，orBeausobre，orCalmet，orSt。

Augustine，orPuffendord，orVattel，orfromthemoreliteralbutequallylearnedandunprofitablelaboursofScaliger，Cardan，andScioppius？Howmanygrainsofsensearethereintheirthousandfolioorquartovolumes？Whatwouldtheworldloseiftheywerecommittedtotheflamesto-morrow？Oraretheynotalready”gonetothevaultofalltheCapulets”？Yetallthesewereoraclesintheirtime，andwouldhavescoffedatyouorme，atcommonsenseandhumannature，fordifferingwiththem。Itisourturntolaughnow。

Toconcludethissubject。Themostsensiblepeopletobemetwithinsocietyaremenofbusinessandoftheworld，whoarguefromwhattheyseeandknow，insteadofspinningcobwebdistinctionsofwhatthingsoughttobe。Womenhaveoftenmoreofwhatiscalled_goodsense_thanmen。Theyhavefewerpretensions；arelessimplicatedintheories；andjudgeofobjectsmorefromtheirimmediateandinvoluntaryimpressiononthemind，and，therefore，moretrulyandnaturally。Theycannotreasonwrong；fortheydonotreasonatall。Theydonotthinkorspeakbyrule；andtheyhaveingeneralmoreeloquenceandwit，aswellassense，onthataccount。Bytheirwit，sense，andeloquencetogether，theygenerallycontrivetogoverntheirhusbands。Theirstyle，whentheywritetotheirfriends(notforthebooksellers)，isbetterthanthatofmostauthors——Uneducatedpeoplehavemostexuberanceofinventionandthegreatestfreedomfromprejudice。Shakespear”swasevidentlyanuneducatedmind，bothinthefreshnessofhisimaginationandinthevarietyofhisviews；asMilton”swasscholastic，inthetexturebothofhisthoughtsandfeelings。Shakespearhadnotbeenaccustomedtowritethemesatschoolinfavourofvirtueoragainstvice。Tothisweowetheunaffectedbuthealthytoneofhisdramaticmorality。IfwewishtoknowtheforceofhumangeniusweshouldreadShakespear。Ifwewishtoseetheinsignificanceofhumanlearningwemaystudyhiscommentators。

NOTEStoESSAYVIII

Nonotesforthisessay。

ESSAYIX

THEINDIANJUGGLERS

Comingforwardandseatinghimselfonthegroundinhiswhitedressandtightenedturban，thechiefoftheIndianJugglersbeginswithtossinguptwobrassballs，whichiswhatanyofuscoulddo，andconcludeswithkeepingupfouratthesametime，whichiswhatnoneofuscoulddotosaveourlives，norifweweretotakeourwholelivestodoitin。Isitthenatriflingpowerweseeatwork，orisitnotsomethingnexttomiraculous？Itistheutmoststretchofhumaningenuity，whichnothingbutthebendingthefacultiesofbodyandmindtoitfromthetenderestinfancywithincessant，everanxiousapplicationuptomanhoodcanaccomplishormakeevenaslightapproachto。Man，thouartawonderfulanimal，andthywayspastfindingout！Thoucanstdostrangethings，butthouturnestthemtolittleaccount！——Toconceiveofthiseffortofextraordinarydexteritydistractstheimaginationandmakesadmirationbreathless。Yetitcostsnothingtotheperformer，anymorethanifitwereameremechanicaldeceptionwithwhichhehadnothingtodobuttowatchandlaughattheastonishmentofthespectators。Asingleerrorofahairsbreadth，ofthesmallestconceivableportionoftime，wouldbefatal：theprecisionofthemovementsmustbelikeamathematicaltruth，theirrapidityislikelightning。Tocatchfourballsinsuccessioninlessthanasecondoftime，anddeliverthembacksoastoreturnwithseemingconsciousnesstothehandagain；tomakethemrevolveroundhimatcertainintervalsliketheplanetsintheirspheres；tomakethemchaseoneanotherlikesparklesoffire，orshootuplikeflowersormeteors；tothrowthembehindhisbackandtwinethemroundhisnecklikeribbonsorlikeserpents；todowhatappearsanimpossibility，andtodoifwithalltheease，thegrace，thecarelessnessimaginable；tolaughat，toplaywiththeglitteringmockeries；tofollowthemwithhiseyeasifhecouldfascinatethemwithitslambentfire，orasifhehadonlytoseethattheykepttimewiththemusiconthestage，——thereissomethinginallthiswhichhewhodoesnotadmiremaybequitesureheneverreallyadmiredanythinginthewholecourseofhislife。Itisskillsurmountingdifficulty，andbeautytriumphingoverskill。Itseemsasifthedifficultyoncemasterednaturallyresolveditselfintoeaseandgrace，andasiftobeovercomeatall，itmustbeovercomewithoutaneffort。Thesmallestawkwardnessorwantofpliancyorself-possessionwouldstopthewholeprocess。Itistheworkofwitchcraft，andyetsportforchildren。Someoftheotherfeatsarequiteascuriousandwonderful，suchasthebalancingtheartificialtreeandshootingabirdfromeachbranchthroughaquill；thoughnoneofthemhavetheeleganceorfacilityofthekeepingupofthebrassballs。Youareinpainfortheresult，andgladwhentheexperimentisover；theyarenotaccompaniedwiththesameunmixed，uncheckeddelightastheformer；andIwouldnotgivemuchtobemerelyastonishedwithoutbeingpleasedatthegametime。Astotheswallowingofthesword，thepoliceoughttointerferetopreventit。WhenIsawtheIndianJugglerdothesamethingsbefore，hisfeetwerebare，andhehadlargeringsonthetoes，whichkeptturningroundallthetimeoftheperformance，asiftheymovedofthemselves——ThehearingaspeechinParliamentdrawledorstammeredoutbytheHonourableMemberortheNobleLord；theringingthechangesontheircommon-places，whichanyonecouldrepeatafterthemaswellasthey，stirsmenotajot，shakesnotmygoodopinionofmyself；buttheseeingtheIndianJugglersdoes。Itmakesmeashamedofmyself。IaskwhatthereisthatIcandoaswellasthis？Nothing。

WhathaveIbeendoingallmylife？HaveIbeenidle，orhaveInothingtoshowforallmylabourandpains？OrhaveIpassedmytimeinpouringwordslikewaterintoemptysieves，rollingastoneupahillandthendownagain，tryingtoproveanargumentintheteethoffacts，andlookingforcausesinthedarkandnotfindingthem？IstherenoonethinginwhichIcanchallengecompetition，thatIcanbringasaninstanceofexactperfectioninwhichotherscannotfindaflaw？TheutmostIcanpretendtoistowriteadescriptionofwhatthisfellowcando。Icanwriteabook：socanmanyotherswhohavenotevenlearnedtospell。WhatabortionsaretheseEssays！Whaterrors，whatill-piecedtransitions，whatcrookedreasons，whatlameconclusions！

Howlittleismadeout，andthatlittlehowill！YettheyarethebestIcando。IendeavourtorecollectallIhaveeverobservedorthoughtuponasubject，andtoexpressitasnearlyasIcan。Insteadofwritingonfoursubjectsatatime，itisasmuchasIcanmanagetokeepthethreadofonediscourseclearandunentangled。Ihavealsotimeonmyhandstocorrectmyopinions，andpolishmyperiods；buttheoneIcannot，andtheotherIwillnotdo。Iamfondofarguing：yetwithagooddealofpainsandpracticeitisoftenasmuchasIcandotobeatmyman；thoughhemaybeanindifferenthand。Acommonfencerwoulddisarmhisadversaryinthetwinklingofaneye，unlesshewereaprofessorlikehimself。Astrokeofwitwillsometimesproducethiseffect，butthereisnosuchpowerorsuperiorityinsenseorreasoning。

Thereisnocompletemasteryofexecutiontobeshownthere；andyouhardlyknowtheprofessorfromtheimpudentpretenderorthemereclown。[1]

Ihavealwayshadthisfeelingoftheinefficacyandslowprogressofintellectualcomparedtomechanicalexcellence，andithasalwaysmademesomewhatdissatisfied。ItisagreatmanyyearssinceIsawRicher，thefamousrope-dancer，performatSadler”sWells。Hewasmatchlessinhisart，andaddedtohisextraordinaryskillexquisiteease，andunaffected，naturalgrace。Iwasatthattimeemployedincopyingahalf-lengthpictureofSirJoshuaReynolds”s；anditputmeoutofconceitwithit。Howillthispartwasmadeoutinthedrawing！Howheavy，howslovenlythisotherwaspainted！Icouldnothelpsayingtomyself，”Iftherope-dancerhadperformedhistaskinthismanner，leavingsomanygapsandbotchesinhiswork，hewouldhavebrokenhisnecklongago；Ishouldneverhaveseenthatvigorouselasticityofnerveandprecisionofmovement！”——Isit，then，soeasyanundertaking(comparatively)todanceonatight-rope？Letanyonewhothinkssogetupandtry。Thereisthething。Itisthatwhichatfirstwecannotdoatallwhichintheendisdonetosuchperfection。Toaccountforthisinsomedegree，Imightobservethatmechanicaldexterityisconfinedtodoingsomeoneparticularthing，whichyoucanrepeatasoftenasyouplease，inwhichyouknowwhetheryousucceedorfail，andwherethepointofperfectionconsistsinsucceedinginagivenundertaking——Inmechanicaleffortsyouimprovebyperpetualpractice，andyoudosoinfallibly，becausetheobjecttobeattainedisnotamatteroftasteorfancyoropinion，butofactualexperiment，inwhichyoumusteitherdothethingornotdoit。Ifamanisputtoaimatamarkwithabowandarrow，hemusthititormissit，that”scertain。Hecannotdeceivehimself，andgoonshootingwideorfallingshort，andstillfancythatheismakingprogress。Nodistinctionbetweenrightandwrong，betweentrueandfalse，isherepalpable；andhemusteithercorrecthisaimorpersevereinhiserrorwithhiseyesopen，forwhichthereisneitherexcusenortemptation。Ifamanislearningtodanceonarope，ifhedoesnotmindwhatheisabouthewillbreakhisneck。Afterthatitwillbeinvainforhimtoarguethathedidnotmakeafalsestep。HissituationisnotlikethatofGoldsmith”spedagogue：-

Inargumenttheyown”dhiswondrousskill，Ande”enthoughvanquish”d，hecouldarguestill。

Dangerisagoodteacher，andmakesaptscholars。Soaredisgrace，defeat，exposuretoimmediatescornandlaughter。Thereisnoopportunityinsuchcasesforself-delusion，noidlingtimeaway，nobeingoffyourguard(oryoumusttaketheconsequences)——neitheristhereanyroomforhumourorcapriceorprejudice。IftheIndianJugglerweretoplaytricksinthrowingupthethreecase-knives，whichkeeptheirpositionsliketheleavesofacrocusintheair，hewouldcuthisfingers。Icanmakeaverybadantithesiswithoutcuttingmyfingers。Thetactofstyleismoreambiguousthanthatofdouble-edgedinstruments。IftheJugglerweretoldthatbyflinginghimselfunderthewheelsoftheJuggernaut，whentheidolissuesforthonagaudyday，hewouldimmediatelybetransportedintoParadise，hemightbelieveit，andnobodycoulddisproveit。SotheBrahminsmaysaywhattheypleaseonthatsubject，maybuildupdogmasandmysterieswithoutend，andnotbedetected；buttheiringeniouscountrymancannotpersuadethefrequentersoftheOlympicTheatrethatheperformsanumberofastonishingfeatswithoutactuallygivingproofsofwhathesays——Thereis，then，inthissortofmanualdexterity，firstagradualaptitudeacquiredtoagivenexertionofmuscularpower，fromconstantrepetition，andinthenextplace，anexactknowledgehowmuchisstillwantingandnecessarytobesupplied。Theobvioustestistoincreasetheeffortornicetyoftheoperation，andstilltofinditcometrue。

Themusclesplyinstinctivelytothedictatesofhabit。Certainmovementsandimpressionsofthehandandeye，havingbeenrepeatedtogetheraninfinitenumberoftimes，areunconsciouslybutunavoidablecementedintocloserandcloserunion；thelimbsrequirelittlemorethantobeputinmotionforthemtofollowaregulartrackwitheaseandcertainty；sothatthemereintentionofthewillactsmathematicallyliketouchingthespringofamachine，andyoucomewithLocksleyin_Ivanhoe_，inshootingatamark，”toallowforthewind。”

Further，whatismeantbyperfectioninmechanicalexercisesistheperformingcertainfeatstoauniformnicety，thatis，infact，undertakingnomorethanyoucanperform。Youtaskyourself，thelimityoufixisoptional，andnomorethanhumanindustryandskillcanattainto；butyouhavenoabstract，independentstandardofdifficultyorexcellence(otherthantheextentofyourownpowers)。Thushewhocankeepupfourbrassballsdoesthis_toperfection_；buthecannotkeepupfiveatthesameinstant，andwouldfaileverytimeheattemptedit。Thatis，themechanicalperformerundertakestoemulatehimself，nottoequalanother。[2]Buttheartistundertakestoimitateanother，ortodowhatNaturehasdone，andthisitappearsismoredifficult，viz。tocopywhatshehassetbeforeusinthefaceofnatureor”humanfacedivine”entireandwithoutablemish，thantokeepupfourbrassballsatthesameinstant，fortheoneisdonebythepowerofhumanskillandindustry，andtheotherneverwasnorwillbe。Uponthewhole，therefore，IhavemorerespectforReynoldsthanIhaveforRicher；for，happenhowitwill，therehavebeenmorepeopleintheworldwhocoulddanceonaropeliketheonethanwhocouldpaintlikeSirJoshua。Thelatterwasbutabunglerinhisprofessiontotheother，itistrue；butthenbehadahardertaskmastertoobey，whosewillwasmorewaywardandobscure，andwhoseinstructionsitwasmoredifficulttopractise。Youcanputachildapprenticetoatumblerorrope-dancerwithacomfortableprospectofsuccess，iftheyarebutsoundofwindandlimb；butyoucannotdothesamethinginpainting。

Theoddsareamilliontoone。YoumaymakeindeedasmanyHaydonsandH——sasyouputintothatsortofmachine，butnotoneReynoldsamongstthemall，withhisgrace，hisgrandeur，hisblandnessofgusto，”intonesandgestureshit”unlessyoucouldmakethemanoveragain。

Tosnatchthisgracebeyondthereachofartisthentheheightofart——wherefineartbegins，andwheremechanicalskillends。Thesoftsuffusionofthesoul，thespeechlessbreathingeloquence，thelooks”commercingwiththeskies”theever-shiftingformsofaneternalprinciple，thatwhichisseenbutforamoment，butdwellsintheheartalways，andisonlyseizedasitpassesbystrongandsecretsympathy，mustbetaughtbynatureandgenius，notbyrulesorstudy。Itissuggestedbyfeeling，notbylaboriousmicroscopicinspection；inseekingforitwithout，welosetheharmoniouscluetoitwithin；andinaimingtograspthesubstance，welettheveryspiritofartevaporate。

Inaword，theobjectsoffineartarenottheobjectsofsight，butastheselastaretheobjectsoftasteandimagination，thatis，astheyappealtothesenseofbeauty，ofpleasure，andofpowerinthehumanbreast，andareexplainedbythatfinersense，andrevealedintheirinnerstructuretotheeyeinreturn。Natureisalsoalanguage。

Objects，likewords，haveameaning；andthetrueartististheinterpreterofthislanguage，whichhecanonlydobyknowingitsapplicationtoathousandotherobjectsinathousandothersituations。

Thustheeyeistooblindaguideofitselftodistinguishbetweenthewarmorcoldtoneofadeep-bluesky；butanothersenseactsasamonitortoitanddoesnoterr。Thecolouroftheleavesinautumnwouldbenothingwithoutthefeelingthataccompaniesit；butitisthatfeelingthatstampsthemonthecanvas，faded，seared，blighted，shrinkingfromthewinter”sflaw，andmakesthesightastrueastouch——

Andvisions，aspoeticeyesavow，Clingtoeachleafandhangoneverybough。

Themoreethereal，evanescent，morerefinedandsublimepartofartistheseeingnaturethroughthemediumofsentimentandpassion，aseachobjectisasymboloftheaffectionsandalinkinthechainofourendlessbeing。ButtheunravellingthismysteriouswebofthoughtandfeelingisaloneintheMuse”sgift，namely，inthepowerofthattremblingsensibilitywhichisawaketoeverychangeandeverymodificationofitsever-varyingimpressions，thatThrillsineachnerve，andlivesalongtheline。

Thispowerisindifferentlycalledgenius，imagination，feeling，taste；

butthemannerinwhichitactsuponthemindcanneitherbedefinedbyabstractrules，asisthecaseinscience，norverifiedbycontinual，unvaryingexperiments，asisthecaseinmechanicalperformances。ThemechanicalexcellenceoftheDutchpaintersincolouringandhandlingisthatwhichcomesthenearestinfinearttotheperfectionofcertainmanualexhibitionsofskill。Thetruthoftheeffectandthefacilitywithwhichitisproducedareequallyadmirable。Uptoacertainpointeverythingisfaultless。Thehandandeyehavedonetheirpart。Thereisonlyawantoftasteandgenius。Itisafterweenteruponthatenchantedgroundthatthehumanmindbeginstodroopandflagasinastrangeroad，orinathickmist，benightedandmakinglittlewaywithmanyattemptsandmanyfailures，andthatthebestofusonlyescapewithhalfatriumph。TheundefinedandtheimaginaryaretheregionsthatwemustpasslikeSatan，difficultanddoubtful，”halfflying，halfonfoot。”Theobjectinsenseisapositivething，andexecutioncomeswithpractice。

Clevernessisacertain_knack_oraptitudeatdoingcertainthings，whichdependmoreonaparticularadroitnessandoff-handreadinessthanonforceorperseverance，suchasmakingpuns，makingepigrams，makingextemporeverses，mimickingthecompany，mimickingastyle，etc。

Clevernessiseitherlivelinessandsmartness，orsomethingansweringto_sleightofhand_，likelettingaglassfallsidewaysoffatable，orelseatrick，likeknowingthesecretspringofawatch。

Accomplishmentsarecertainexternalgraces，whicharetobelearnedfromothers，andwhichareeasilydisplayedtotheadmirationofthebeholder，viz。dancing，riding，fencing，music，andsoon。Theseornamentalacquirementsareonlypropertothosewhoareateaseinmindandfortune。Iknowanindividualwho，ifhehadbeenborntoanestateoffivethousandayear，wouldhavebeenthemostaccomplishedgentlemanoftheage。Hewouldhavebeenthedelightandenvyofthecircleinwhichhemoved——wouldhavegracedbyhismannerstheliberalityflowingfromtheopennessofhisheart，wouldhavelaughedwiththewomen，havearguedwiththemen，havesaidgoodthingsandwrittenagreeableones，havetakenahandatpiquetortheleadattheharpsichord，andhavesetandsunghisownverses——nugaecanorae——withtendernessandspirit；aRochesterwithoutthevice，amodernSurrey！Asitis，allthesecapabilitiesofexcellencestandinhisway。Heistooversatileforaprofessionalman，notdullenoughforapoliticaldrudge，toogaytobehappy，toothoughtlesstoberich。Hewantstheenthusiasmofthepoet，theseverityoftheprose-writer，andtheapplicationofthemanofbusiness。Talentdiffersfromgeniusasvoluntarydiffersfrominvoluntarypower。Ingenuityisgeniusintrifles；greatnessisgeniusinundertakingsofmuchpithandmoment。Acleveroringeniousmanisonewhocandoanythingwell，whetheritisworthdoingornot；agreatmanisonewhocandothatwhichwhendoneisofthehighestimportance。

Themistoclessaidhecouldnotplayontheflute，butthathecouldmakeofasmallcityagreatone。Thisgivesoneaprettygoodideaofthedistinctioninquestion。

Greatnessisgreatpower，producinggreateffects。Itisnotenoughthatamanhasgreatpowerinhimself；hemustshowittoalltheworldinawaythatcannotbehidorgainsaid。Hemustfillupacertainideainthepublicmind。Ihavenoothernotionofgreatnessthanthistwofolddefinition，greatresultsspringingfromgreatinherentenergy。

Thegreatinvisibleobjectshasrelationtothatwhichextendsoverspace；thegreatinmentaloneshastodowithspaceandtime。Nomanistrulygreatwhoisgreatonlyinhislifetime。Thetestofgreatnessisthepageofhistory。Nothingcanbesaidtobegreatthathasadistinctlimit，orthatbordersonsomethingevidentlygreaterthanitself。Besides，whatisshort-livedandpamperedintomerenotorietyisofagrossandvulgarqualityinitself。ALordMayorishardlyagreatman。Acityoratororpatriotofthedayonlyshow，byreachingtheheightoftheirwishes，thedistancetheyareatfromanytrueambition。Popularityisneitherfamenorgreatness。Aking(assuch)

isnotagreatman。Hehasgreatpower，butitisnothisown。Hemerelywieldstheleverofthestate，whichachild，anidiot，oramadmancando。Itistheoffice，notthemanwegazeat。Anyoneelseinthesamesituationwouldbejustasmuchanobjectofabjectcuriosity。Welaughatthecountrygirlwhohavingseenakingexpressedherdisappointmentbysaying，”Why，heisonlyaman！”Yet，knowingthis，weruntoseeakingasifhewassomethingmorethanaman——Todisplaythegreatestpowers，unlesstheyareappliedtogreatpurposes，makesnothingforthecharacterofgreatness。Tothrowabarleycornthroughtheeyeofaneedle，tomultiplyninefiguresbynineinthememory，arguesdefinitedexterityofbodyandcapacityofmind，butnothingcomesofeither。Thereisasurprisingpoweratwork，buttheeffectsarenotproportionate，orsuchastakeholdoftheimagination。Toimpresstheideaofpoweronothers，theymustbemadeinsomewaytofeelit。Itmustbecommunicatedtotheirunderstandingsintheshapeofanincreaseofknowledge，oritmustsubdueandoverawethembysubjectingtheirwills。Admirationtobesolidandlastingmustbefoundedonproofsfromwhichwehavenomeansofescaping；itisneitheraslightnoravoluntarygift。Amathematicianwhosolvesaprofoundproblem，apoetwhocreatesanimageofbeautyinthemindthatwasnottherebefore，impartsknowledgeandpowertoothers，inwhichhisgreatnessandhisfameconsists，andonwhichitreposes。JedediahBuxtonwillbeforgotten；butNapier”sboneswilllive。Lawgivers，philosophers，foundersofreligion，conquerorsandheroes，inventorsandgreatgeniusesinartsandsciences，aregreatmen，fortheyaregreatpublicbenefactors，orformidablescourgestomankind。Amongourselves，Shakespear，Newton，Bacon，Milton，Cromwell，weregreatmen，fortheyshowedgreatpowerbyactsandthoughts，thathavenotyetbeenconsignedtooblivion。Theymustneedsbemenofloftystature，whoseshadowslengthenouttoremoteposterity。Agreatfarce-writermaybeagreatman；forMolierewasbutagreatfarce-writer。Inmymind，theauthorof_DonQuixote_wasagreatman。Sohavetherebeenmanyothers。Agreatchess-playerisnotagreatman，forheleavestheworldashefoundit。Noactterminatinginitselfconstitutesgreatness。Thiswillapplytoalldisplaysofpowerortrialsofskillwhichareconfinedtothemomentary，individualeffort，andconstructnopermanentimageortrophyofthemselveswithoutthem。Isnotanactorthenagreatman，because”hediesandleavestheworldnocopy”？I

mustmakeanexceptionforMrs。Siddons，orelsegiveupmydefinitionofgreatnessforhersake。Amanatthetopofhisprofessionisnotthereforeagreatman。Heisgreatinhisway，butthatisall，unlessheshowsthemarksofagreatmovingintellect，sothatwetracethemaster-mind，andcansympathisewiththespringsthaturgehimon。Therestisbutacraftor_mystery_。JohnHunterwasagreatman——_that_

anyonemightseewithoutthesmallestskillinsurgery。Hisstyleandmannershowedtheman。HewouldsetaboutcuttingupthecarcassofawhalewiththesamegreatnessofgustothatMichaelAngelowouldhavehewnablockofmarble。LordNelsonwasagreatnavalcommander；butformyself，Ihavenotmuchopinionofaseafaringlife。SirHumphryDavyisagreatchemist，butIamnotsurethatheisagreatman。Iamnotabitthewiserforanyofhisdiscoveries，norInevermetwithanyonethatwas。Butitisinthenatureofgreatnesstopropagateanideaofitself，aswaveimpelswave，circlewithoutcircle。Itisacontradictionintermsforacoxcombtobeagreatman。Areallygreatmanhasalwaysanideaofsomethinggreaterthanhimself。Ihaveobservedthatcertainsectariesandpolemicalwritershavenohighercomplimenttopaytheirmostshininglightsthantosaythat“Suchaonewasaconsiderablemaninhisday。”Somenewelucidationofatextsetsasidetheauthorityoftheoldinterpretation，anda“greatscholar”smemoryoutliveshimhalfacentury，“attheutmost。Arichmanisnotagreatman，excepttohisdependentsandhissteward。Alordisagreatmanintheideawehaveofhisancestry，andprobablyofhimself，ifweknownothingofhimbuthistitle。Ihaveheardastoryoftwobishops，oneofwhomsaid(speakingofSt。Peter”satRome)thatwhenhefirstenteredit，hewasratherawe-struck，butthatashewalkedupit，hismindseemedtoswellanddilatewithit，andatlasttofillthewholebuilding：theothersaidthatashesawmoreofit，heappearedtohimselftogrowlessandlesseverystephetook，andintheendtodwindleintonothing。Thiswasinsomerespectsastrikingpictureofagreatandlittlemind；forgreatnesssympathiseswithgreatness，andlittlenessshrinksintoitself。TheonemighthavebecomeaWolsey；theotherwasonlyfittobecomeaMendicantFriar——ortheremighthavebeencourtreasonsformakinghimabishop。TheFrenchhavetomeacharacteroflittlenessinallaboutthem；buttheyhaveproducedthreegreatmenthatbelongtoeverycountry，Moliere，Rabelais，andMontaigne。

Toreturnfromthisdigression，andconcludeEssay。AsingularinstanceofmanualdexteritywasshowninthepersonofthelateJohnCavanaugh，whomIhaveseveraltimesseen。Hisdeathwascelebratedatthetimeinanarticleinthe_Examiner_newspaper(Feb。7，1819)，writtenapparentlybetweenjestandearnest；butasitis_pat_toourpurpose，andfallsinwithmyownwayofconsideringsuchsubjects，Ishallheretakeleavetoquoteit：——”DiedathishouseinBurbageStreet，St。Giles”s，JohnCavanagh，thefamoushandfives-player。Whenapersondieswhodoesanyonethingbetterthananyoneelseintheworld，whichsomanyothersaretryingtodowell，itleavesagapinsociety。Itisnotlikelythatanyonewillnowseethegameoffivesplayedinitsperfectionformanyyearstocome——forCavanaghisdead，andhasnotlefthispeerbehindhim。Itmaybesaidthattherearethingsofmoreimportancethanstrikingaballagainstawall——therearethings，indeed，thatmakemorenoiseanddoaslittlegood，suchasmakingwarandpeace，makingspeechesandansweringthem，makingversesandblottingthem，makingmoneyandthrowingitaway。Butthegameoffivesiswhatnoonedespiseswhohaseverplayedatit。Itisthefinestexerciseforthebody，andthebestrelaxationforthemind。TheRomanpoetsaidthat“Caremountedbehindthehorsemanandstucktohisskirts。”Butthisremarkwouldnothaveappliedtothefives-player。Hewhotakestoplayingatfivesistwiceyoung。Hefeelsneitherthepastnorfuture“intheinstant。”Debts，taxes，“domestictreason，foreignlevy，nothingcantouchhimfurther。”

Hehasnootherwish，nootherthought，fromthemomentthegamebegins，butthatofstrikingtheball，ofplacingit，of_making_it！ThisCavanaghwassuretodo。Wheneverhetouchedtheballtherewasanendofthechase。Hiseyewascertain，hishandfatal，hispresenceofmindcomplete。Hecoulddowhathepleased，andhealwaysknewexactlywhattodo。Hesawthewholegame，andplayedit；tookinstantadvantageofhisadversary”sweakness，andrecoveredballs，asifbyamiracleandfromsuddenthought，thateveryonegaveforlost。Hehadequalpowerandskill，quicknessandjudgment。Hecouldeitheroutwithisantagonistbyfinesse，orbeathimbymainstrength。Sometimes，whenheseemedpreparingtosendtheballwiththefullswingofhisarm，hewouldbyaslightturnofhiswristdropitwithinaninchoftheline。

Ingeneral，theballcamefromhishand，asiffromaracket，inastraight，horizontalline；sothatitwasinvaintoattempttoovertakeorstopit。Asitwassaidofagreatoratorthatheneverwasatalossforaword，andfortheproperestword，soCavanaghalwayscouldtellthedegreeofforcenecessarytobegiventoaball，andtheprecisedirectioninwhichitshouldbesent。Hedidhisworkwiththegreatestease；nevertookmorepainsthanwasnecessary；andwhileotherswerefaggingthemselvestodeath，wasascoolandcollectedasifhehadjustenteredthecourt。Hisstyleofplaywasasremarkableashispowerofexecution。Hehadnoaffectation，notrifling。Hedidnotthrowawaythegametoshowoffanattitudeortryanexperiment。Hewasafine，sensible，manlyplayer，whodidwhathecould，butthatwasmorethananyoneelsecouldevenaffecttodo。Hisblowswerenotundecidedandineffectual——lumberinglikeMr。Wordsworth”sepicpoetry，norwaveringlikeMr。Coleridge”slyricprose，norshortofthemarklikeMr。Brougham”sspeeches，norwideofitlikeMr。Canning”swit，norfoullikethe_Quarterly_，nor_let_ballslikethe_EdinburghReview_。

CobbettandJuniustogetherwouldhavemadeaCavanagh。Hewasthebest_up-hill_playerintheworld；evenwhenhisadversarywasfourteen，hewouldplayonthesameorbetter，andasheneverflungawaythegamethroughcarelessnessandconceit，henevergaveitthroughlazinessorwantofheart。Theonlypeculiarityofhisplaywasthathenever_volleyed_，butlettheballshop；butiftheyroseaninchfromthegroundhenevermissedhavingthem。Therewasnotonlynobodyequal，butnobodysecondtohim。Itissupposedthathecouldgiveanyotherplayerhalfthegame，orbeathimwithhislefthand。Hisservicewastremendous。HeonceplayedWoodwardandMeredithtogether(twoofthebestplayersinEngland)intheFives-court，St。Martin”sstreet，andmadesevenandtwentyacesfollowingbyservicesalone——athingunheardof。HeanothertimeplayedPeru，whowasconsideredafirst-ratefives-player，amatchofthebestoutoffivegames，andinthethreefirstgames，whichofcoursedecidedthematch，Perugotonlyoneace。

CavanaghwasanIrishmanbybirth，andahouse-painterbyprofession。

Hehadoncelaidasidehisworking-dress，andwalkedup，inhissmartestclothes，totheRosemaryBranchtohaveanafternoon”spleasure。A

personaccostedhim，andaskedhimifhewouldhaveagame。Sotheyagreedtoplayforhalfacrownagameandabottleofcider。Thefirstgamebegan——itwasseven，eight，ten，thirteen，fourteen，all。Cavanaghwonit。Thenextwasthesame。Theyplayedon，andeachgamewashardlycontested。“There，“saidtheunconsciousfives-player，“therewasastrokethatCavanaghcouldnottake：Ineverplayedbetterinmylife，andyetIcan”twinagame。Idon”tknowhowitis！“However，theyplayedon，Cavanaghwinningeverygame，andthebystandersdrinkingtheciderandlaughingallthetime。Inthetwelfthgame，whenCavanaghwasonlyfour，andthestrangerthirteen，apersoncameinandsaid，“What！areyouhere，Cavanagh？“Thewordswerenosoonerpronouncedthantheastonishedplayerletthehalldropfromhishand，andsaying，“What！haveIbeenbreakingmyheartallthistimetobeatCavanagh？“

refusedtomakeanothereffort。“Andyet，Igiveyoumyword，“saidCavanagh，tellingthestorywithsometriumph，“Iplayedallthewhilewithmyclenchedfist。”——HeusedfrequentlytoploymatchesatCopenhagenHouseforwagersanddinners。Thewallagainstwhichtheyplayisthesamethatsupportsthekitchen-chimney，andwhenthewallresoundedlouderthanusual，thecooksexclaimed，“ThosearetheIrishman”sballs，“andthejointstrembledonthespit！——Goldsmithconsoledhimselfthattherewereplaceswherehetoowasadmired：andCavanaghwastheadmirationofallthefives-courtswhereheeverplayed。Mr。Powell，whenheplayedmatchesintheCourtinSt。

Martin”sStreet，usedtofillhisgalleryathalfacrownaheadwithamateursandadmirersoftalentinwhateverdepartmentitisshown。HecouldnothaveshownhimselfinanygroundinEnglandbuthewouldhavebeenimmediatelysurroundedwithinquisitivegazers，tryingtofindoutinwhatpartofhisframehisunrivalledskilllay，aspoliticianswondertoseethebalanceofEuropesuspendedinLordCastlereagh”sface，andadmirethetrophiesoftheBritishNavylurkingunderMr。

Croker”shangingbrow。NowCavanaghwasasgood-lookingamanastheNobleLord，andmuchbetterlookingthantheRightHon。Secretary。Hehadaclear，opencountenance，anddidnotlooksidewaysordown，likeMr。Murraythebookseller。Hewasayoungfellowofsense，humour，andcourage。HeoncehadaquarrelwithawatermanatHungerfordStairs，and，theysay，servedhimoutingreatstyle。Inaword，therearehundredsatthisdaywhocannotmentionhisnamewithoutadmiration，asthebestfives-playerthatperhapseverlived(thegreatestexcellenceofwhichtheyhaveanynotion)；andthenoisyshoutoftheringhappilystoodhiminsteadoftheunheardvoiceofposterity！——TheonlypersonwhoseemstohaveexcelledasmuchinanotherwayasCavanaghdidinhiswasthelateJohnDavies，theracket-player。Itwasremarkedofhimthathedidnotseemtofollowtheball，buttheballseemedtofollowhim。Givehimafootofwall，andhewassuretomaketheball。Thefourbestracket-playersofthatdaywereJackSpines，JemHarding，Armitage，andChurch。Daviescouldgiveanyoneofthesetwohandsatime，thatis，halfthegame，andeachofthese，attheirbest，couldgivethebestplayernowinLondonthesameodds。Sucharethegradationsinallexertionsofhumanskillandart。Heonceplayedfourcapitalplayerstogether，andbeatthem。Hewasalsoafirst-ratetennis-playerandanexcellentfives-player。IntheFleetorKing”sBenchhewouldhavestoodagainstPowell，whowasreckonedthebestopen-groundplayerofhistime。Thislast-mentionedplayerisatpresentthekeeperoftheFives-court，andwemightrecommendtohimforamottooverhisdoor，“Whoentershere，forgetshimself，hiscountry，andhisfriends。”Andthebestofitis，thatbythecalculationoftheodds，noneofthethreeareworthremembering！——Cavanaghdiedfromtheburstingofablood-vessel，whichpreventedhimfromplayingforthelasttwoorthreeyears。This，hewasoftenheardtosay，hethoughtharduponhim。Hewasfastrecovering，however，whenhewassuddenlycarriedoff，totheregretofallwhoknewhim。AsMr。PeelmadeitaqualificationofthepresentSpeaker，Mr。MannersSutton，thathewasanexcellentmoralcharacter，soJackCavanaghwasazealousCatholic，andcouldnotbepersuadedtoeatmeatonaFriday，thedayonwhichhedied。Wehavepaidthiswillingtributetohismemory。

Letnorudehanddefaceit，Andhisforlorn“_HicJacet_。””

NOTEStoESSAYIX

[1]ThecelebratedPeterPindar(Dr。Wolcot)firstdiscoveredandbroughtoutthetalentsofthelateMr。Opiethepainter。HewasapoorCornishboy，andwasoutatworkinthefieldswhenthepoetwentinsearchofhim。”Well，mylad，canyougoandbringmeyourverybestpicture？”Theotherflewlikelightning，andsooncamebackwithwhatheconsideredashismasterpiece。Thestrangerlookedatit，andtheyoungartist，afterwaitingforsometimewithouthisgivinganyopinion，atlengthexclaimedeagerly，”Well，whatdoyouthinkofit？””Thinkofit？”saidWolcot；”Why，Ithinkyououghttobeashamedofit——thatyou，whomightdosowell，donobetter！”Thesameanswerwouldhaveappliedtothisartist”slatestperformances，thathadbeensuggestedbyoneofhisearliestefforts。

[2]Iftwopersonsplayagainsteachotheratanygame，oneofthemnecessarilyfails。

ESSAYX

ONLIVINGTOONE”S-SELF[1]

Remote，unfriended，melancholy，slow，OrbythelazyScheldtorwanderingPo。

IneverwasinabetterplaceorhumourthanIamatpresentforwritingonthissubject。Ihaveapartridgegettingreadyformysupper，myfireisblazingonthehearth，theairismildfortheseasonoftheyear，Ihavehadbutaslightfitofindigestionto-day(theonlythingthatmakesmeabhormyself)，Ihavethreehoursgoodbeforeme，andthereforeIwillattemptit。Itisaswelltodoitatonceastohaveittodoforaweektocome。

Ifthewritingonthissubjectisnoeasytask，thethingitselfisaharderone。Itasksatroublesomeefforttoensuretheadmirationofothers：itisastillgreateronetobesatisfiedwithone”sownthoughts。AsIlookfromthewindowatthewidebareheathbeforeme，andthroughthemistymoonlightairseethewoodsthatwaveoverthetopofWinterslow，WhileHeav”n”schancel-vaultisblindwithsleet，mymindtakesitsflightthroughtoolongaseriesofyears，supportedonlybythepatienceofthoughtandsecretyearningsaftertruthandgood，formetobeatalosstounderstandthefeelingIintendtowriteabout；butIdonotknowthatthiswillenablemetoconveyitmoreagreeablytothereader。

LadyGrandison，inalettertoMissHarrietByron，assuresherthat”herbrotherSirCharleslivedto-himself”；andLadyL。soonafter(forRichardsonwasnevertiredofagoodthing)repeatsthesameobservation；towhichMissByronfrequentlyreturnsinheranswerstobothsisters，”ForyouknowSirCharleslivestohimself”tillatlengthitpassesintoaproverbamongthefaircorrespondents。Thisisnot，however，anexampleofwhatIunderstandby_livingtoone”s-self_，forSirCharlesGrandisonwasindeedalwaysthinkingofhimself；butbythisphraseImeanneverthinkingatallaboutone”s-self，anymorethaniftherewasnosuchpersoninexistence。ThecharacterIspeakofisaslittleofanegotistaspossible：Richardson”sgreatfavouritewasasmuchofoneaspossible。SomesatiricalcritichasrepresentedhiminElysium”bowingoverthe_faded_handofLadyGrandison”(MissByronthatwas)——heoughttohavebeenrepresentedbowingoverhisownhand，forheneveradmiredanyonebuthimself，andwastheGodofhisownidolatry——NeitherdoIcallitlivingtoone”s-selftoretireintoadesert(likethesaintsandmartyrsofold)tobedevouredbywildbeastsnortodescendintoacavetobeconsideredasahermit，nortogottothetopofapillarorrocktodofanaticpenanceandbeseenofallmen。WhatImeanbylivingtoone”s-selfislivingintheworld，asinit，notofit：itisasifnooneknowtherewassuchaperson，andyouwishednoonetoknowit：itistobeasilentspectatorofthemightysceneofthings，notanobjectofattentionorcuriosityinit；

totakeathoughtful，anxiousinterestinwhatispassingintheworld，butnottofeeltheslightestinclinationtomakeormeddlewithit。Itissuchalifeasapurespiritmightbesupposedtolead，andsuchaninterestasitmighttakeintheaffairsofmen，calm，contemplative，passive，distant，touchedwithpityfortheirsorrows，smilingattheirfollieswithoutbitterness，sharingtheiraffections，butnottroubledbytheirpassions，notseekingtheirnotice，noroncedreamtofbythem。

Hewholiveswiselytohimselfandtohisownheartlooksatthebusyworldthroughtheloop-holesofretreat，anddoesnotwanttomingleinthefray。”Hehearsthetumult，andisstill。”Heisnotabletomendit，norwillingtomarit。Heseesenoughintheuniversetointeresthimwithoutputtinghimselfforwardtotrywhathecandotofixtheeyesoftheuniverseuponhim。Vaintheattempt！Hereadstheclouds，helooksatthestars，hewatchesthereturnoftheseasons，thefallingleavesofautumn，theperfumedbreathofspring，startswithdelightatthenoteofathrushinacopsenearhim，sitsbythefire，listenstothemoaningofthewind，poresuponabook，ordiscoursesthefreezinghoursaway，ormeltsdownhourstominutesinpleasingthought。Allthiswhileheistakenupwithotherthings，forgettinghimself。Herelishesanauthor”sstylewithoutthinkingofturningauthor。Heisfondoflookingataprintfromanoldpictureintheroom，withoutteasinghimselftocopyit。Hedoesnotfrethimselftodeathwithtryingtobewhatheisnot，ortodowhathecannot。Hehardlyknowswhatheiscapableof，andisnotintheleastconcernedwhetherheshallevermakeafigureintheworld。Hefeelsthetruthofthelines——

Themanwhoseeyeiseveronhimself，Dothlookone，theleastofnature”sworks；

OnewhomightmovethewisemantothatscornWhichwisdomholdsunlawfulever。

Helooksoutofhimselfatthewide，extendedprospectofnature，andtakesaninterestbeyondhisnarrowpretensionsingeneralhumanity。Heisfreeasair，andindependentasthewind。Woebetohimwhenhefirstbeginstothinkwhatotherssayofhim。Whileamaniscontentedwithhimselfandhisownresources，alliswell。Whenheundertakestoplayapartonthestage，andtopersuadetheworldtothinkmoreabouthimthantheydoaboutthemselves，heisgotintoatrackwherehewillfindnothingbutbriarsandthorns，vexationanddisappointment。Icanspeakalittletothispoint。FormanyyearsofmylifeIdidnothingbutthink。Ihadnothingelsetodobutsolvesomeknottypoint，ordipinsomeabstruseauthor，orlookatthesky，orwanderbythepebbledseaside——

Toseethechildrensportingontheshore，AndhearthemightywatersrollingevermoreIcaredfornothing，Iwantednothing。Itookmytimetoconsiderwhateveroccurredtome，andwasinnohurrytogiveasophisticalanswertoaquestion——therewasnoprinter”sdevilwaitingforme。I

usedtowriteapageortwoperhapsinhalfayear；andrememberlaughingheartilyatthecelebratedexperimentalistNicholson，whotoldmethatintwentyyearshehadwrittenasmuchaswouldmakethreehundredoctavovolumes。IfIwasnotagreatauthor，Icouldreadwitheverfreshdelight，”neverending，stillbeginning”andhadnooccasiontowriteacriticismwhenIhaddone。IfIcouldnotpaintlikeClaude，Icouldadmire”thewitcheryofthesoftbluesky”asIwalkedout，andwassatisfiedwiththepleasureitgaveme。IfIwasdull，itgavemelittleconcern：ifIwaslively，Iindulgedmyspirits。Iwishedwelltotheworld，andbelievedasfavourablyofitasIcould。Iwaslikeastrangerinaforeignland，atwhichIlookedwithwonder，curiosity，anddelight，withoutexpectingtobeanobjectofattentioninreturn。

Ihadnorelationstothestate，nodutytoperform，notiestobindmetoothers：Ihadneitherfriendnormistress，wifenorchild。Ilivedinaworldofcontemplation，andnotofaction。

Thissortofdreamingexistenceisthebest。Hewhoquitsittogoinsearchofrealitiesgenerallybartersreposeforrepeateddisappointmentsandvainregrets。Histime，thoughts，andfeelingsarenolongerathisowndisposal。Fromthatinstanthedoesnotsurveytheobjectsofnatureastheyareinthemselves，butlooksasquintatthemtoseewhetherhecannotmakethemtheinstrumentsofhisambition，interest，orpleasure；foracandid，undesigning，undisguisedsimplicityofcharacter，hisviewsbecomejaundiced，sinister，anddouble：hetakesnofartherinterestinthegreatchangesoftheworldbutashehasapaltryshareinproducingthem：insteadofopeninghissenses，hisunderstanding，andhishearttotheresplendentfabricoftheuniverse，heholdsacrookedmirrorbeforehisface，inwhichhemayadmirehisownpersonandpretensions，andjustglancehiseyeasidetoseewhetherothersarenotadmiringhimtoo。Henomoreexistsintheimpressionwhich”thefairvarietyofthings”makesuponhim，softenedandsubduedbyhabitualcontemplation，butinthefeverishsenseofhisownupstartself-importance。Byaimingtofix，heisbecometheslaveofopinion。

Heisatool，apartofamachinethatneverstandsstill，andissickandgiddywiththeceaselessmotion。Hehasnosatisfactionbutinthereflectionofhisownimageinthepublicgaze——butintherepetitionofhisownnameinthepublicear。Hehimselfismixedupwithandspoilseverything。IwonderBuonapartewasnottiredoftheN。N。”sstuckallovertheLouvreandthroughoutFrance。Goldsmith(asweallknow)wheninHollandwentoutintoabalconywithsomehandsomeEnglishwomen，andontheirbeingapplaudedbythespectators，turnedroundandsaidpeevishly，”ThereareplaceswhereIalsoamadmired。”Hecouldnotgivethecravingappetiteofanauthor”svanityoneday”srespite。I

haveseenacelebratedtalkerofourowntimeturnpaleandgooutoftheroomwhenashowy-lookinggirlhascomeintoitwhoforamomentdividedtheattentionofhishearers——Infinitearethemortificationsofthebareattempttoemergefromobscurity；numberlessthefailures；

andgreaterandmoregallingstillthevicissitudesandtormentingaccompanimentsofsuccess——

WhosetoptoclimbIscertainfalling，orsoslippery，thatThefear”sasbadasfalling。”WouldtoGod”exclaimedOliverCromwell，whenhewasatanytimethwartedbytheParliament，”thatIhadremainedbymywoodsidetotendaflockofsheep，ratherthanhavebeenthrustonsuchagovernmentasthis！”WhenBuonapartegotintohiscarriagetoproceedonhisRussianexpedition，carelesslytwirlinghisglove，andsingingtheair，”Malbrooktothewarisgoing”hedidnotthinkofthetumblehehasgotsince，theshockofwhichnoonecouldhavestoodbuthimself。WeseeandhearchieflyofthefavouritesofFortuneandtheMuse，ofgreatgenerals，offirst-rateactors，ofcelebratedpoets。Theseareatthehead；wearestruckwiththeglitteringeminenceonwhichtheystand，andlongtosetoutonthesametemptingcareer，——notthinkinghowmanydiscontentedhalf-paylieutenantsareinvainseekingpromotionalltheirlives，andobligedtoputupwith”theinsolenceofoffice，andthespurnswhichpatientmeritoftheunworthytakes”；howmanyhalf-starvedstrollingplayersaredoomedtopenuryandtatteredrobesincountryplaces，dreamingtothelastofaLondonengagement；howmanywretcheddaubersshiverandshakeintheague-fitofalternatehopesandfears，wasteandpineawayintheatrophyofgenius，orelseturndrawing-masters，picture-cleaners，ornewspaper-critics；howmanyhaplesspoetshavesighedouttheirsoulstotheMuseinvain，withoutevergettingtheireffusionsfartherknownthanthePoet”sCornerofacountrynewspaper，andlookedandlookedwithgrudging，wistfuleyesattheenvioushorizonthatboundedtheirprovincialfame！——Supposeanactor，forinstance，”aftertheheart-achesandthethousandnaturalpangsthatfleshisheirto”_does_getatthetopofhisprofession，hecannolongerbeararivalnearthethrone；tobesecondoronlyequaltoanotheristobenothing：hestartsattheprospectofasuccessor，andretainsthemimicsceptrewithaconvulsivegrasp：

perhapsasheisabouttoseizethefirstplacewhichhehaslonghadinhiseye，anunsuspectedcompetitorstepsinbeforehim，andcarriesofftheprize，leavinghimtocommencehisirksometoilagain。Heisinastateofalarmateveryappearanceorrumouroftheappearanceofanewactor：”amousethattakesupitslodgingsinacat”sear”[2]hasamansionofpeacetohim：hedreadseveryhintofanobjection，andleastofall，canforgivepraisemingledwithcensure：todoubtistoinsult；

todiscriminateistodegrade：hedarehardlylookintoacriticismunlesssomeonehastasteditforhim，toseethatthereisnooffenceinit：ifhedoesnotdrawcrowdedhouseseverynight，hecanneithereatnorsleep；orifalltheseterribleinflectionsareremoved，andhecan”eathismealinpeace”hethenbecomessurfeitedwithapplauseanddissatisfiedwithhisprofession：hewantstobesomethingelse，tobedistinguishedasanauthor，acollector，aclassicalscholar，amanofsenseandinformation，andweighseverywordheutters，andhalfretractsitbeforeheuttersit，lestifheweretomakethesmallestslipofthetongueitshouldgetbuzzedabroadthat_Mr——wasonlycleverasanactor！_Ifevertherewasamanwhodidnotderivemorepainthanpleasurefromhisvanity，thatman，saysRousseau，wasnootherthanafool。AcountrygentlemannearTauntonspenthiswholelifeinmakingsomehundredsofwretchedcopiesofsecond-ratepictures，whichwereboughtupathisdeathbyaneighbouringbaronet，towhomSomeDemonwhisper”d，L——，haveataste！

AlittleWilsoninanobscurecornerescapedthemanof_virtu_，andwascarriedoffbyaBristolpicture-dealerforthreeguineas，whilethemuddledcopiesoftheownerofthemansion(withtheframes)fetchedthirty，forty，sixty，ahundredducatsapiece。AfriendofminefoundaveryfineCanalettiinastateofstrangedisfigurement，withtheupperpartoftheskysmearedoverandfantasticallyvariegatedwithEnglishclouds；andoninquiringofthepersontowhomitbelongedwhethersomethinghadnotbeendonetoit，receivedforanswer”thatagentleman，agreatartistintheneighbourhood，hadretouchedsomepartsofit。”Whatinfatuation！Yetthiscandidateforthehonoursofthepencilmightprobablyhavemadeajovialfox-hunterorrespectablejusticeofthepeaceithecouldonlyhavestucktowhatnatureandfortuneintendedhimfor。Miss——canbynomeansbepersuadedtoquittheboardsofthetheatreat——，alittlecountrytownintheWestofEngland。Hersalaryhasbeenabridged，herpersonridiculed，heractinglaughedat；nothingwillserve——sheisdeterminedtobeanactress，andscornstoreturntoherformerbusinessasamilliner。

ShallIgoon？Anactorinthesamecompanywasvisitedbytheapothecaryoftheplaceinanague-fit，who，onaskinghislandladyastohiswayoflife，wastoldthatthepoorgentlemanwasveryquietandgavelittletrouble，thathegenerallyhadaplateofmashedpotatoesforhisdinner，andlayinbedmostofhistime，repeatinghispart。A

youngcouple，everywayamiableanddeserving，weretohavebeenmarried，andabenefit-playwasbespokebytheofficersoftheregimentquarteredthere，todefraytheexpenseofalicenseandofthewedding-ring，buttheprofitsofthenightdidnotamounttothenecessarysum，andtheyhave，Ifear，”virginedite”ersince”！Oh，forthepencilofHogarthorWilkietogiveaviewofthecomicstrengthofthecompanyat——，drawnupinbattle-arrayinthe_ClandestineMarriage，_witha_coupd”oeil_ofthepit，boxes，andgallery，tocureforevertheloveofthe_ideal_，andthedesiretoshineandmakeholidayintheeyesofothers，insteadofretiringwithinourselvesandkeepingourwishesandourthoughtsathome！——Eveninthecommonaffairsoflife，inlove，friendship，andmarriage，howlittlesecurityhavewewhenwetrustourhappinessinthehandsofothers！MostofthefriendsIhaveseenhaveturnedoutthebitterestenemies，orcold，uncomfortableacquaintance。Oldcompanionsarelikemeatsserveduptoooften，thatlosetheirrelishandtheirwholesomeness。Hewholooksatbeautytoadmire，toadoreit，whoreadsofitswondrouspowerinnovels，inpoems，orinplays，isnotunwise；butletnomanfallinlove，forfromthatmomentheis”thebabyofagirl。”Ilikeverywelltorepeatsuchlinesastheseintheplayof_Mirandola_——

WithwhatawavingairshegoesAlongthecorridor！Howlikeafawn！

Yetstatelier。Hark！Nosound，howeversoft，Norgentlestechotellethwhenshetreads，ButeverymotionofhershapedothseemHallowedbysilence。

Buthoweverbeautifulthedescription，defendmefrommeetingwiththeoriginal！

TheflythatsipstreacleIslostinthesweets；

SohethattasteswomanRuinmeets。

ThesongisGay”s，notmine，andabitter-sweetitis。Howfewoutoftheinfinitenumberofthosethatmarryandaregiveninmarriagewedwiththosetheywouldprefertoalltheworld！nay，howfarthegreaterproportionarejoinedtogetherbymeremotivesofconvenience，accident，recommendationoffriends，orindeednotunfrequentlybytheveryfearoftheevent，byrepugnanceandasortoffatalfascination！yetthetieisforlife，nottobeshakenoffbutwithdisgraceordeath：amannolongerlivestohimself，butisabody(aswellasmind)chainedtoanother，inspiteofhimself——

Likelifeanddeathindisproportionmet。

SoMilton(perhapsfromhisownexperience)makesAdamexclaiminthevehemenceofhisdespair，ForeitherHenevershallfindoutfitmate，butsuchAssomemisfortunebringshimormistakeOrwhomhewishesmostshallseldomgainThroughherperverseness，butshallseahergain”dByafarworse；oritshelove，withheldByparents；orhishappiestchoicetoolateShallmeet，alreadylink”dandwedlock-boundToafelladversary，hishateandshame；

WhichinfinitecalamityshallcauseTohumanlife，andhouseholdpeaceconfound。

Ifloveatfirstsightweremutual，ortobeconciliatedbykindoffices；ifthefondestaffectionwerenotsooftenrepaidandchilledbyindifferenceandscorn；ifsomanyloversbothbeforeandsincethemadmaninDonQuixotehadnot”worshippedastatue，huntedthewind，criedaloudtothedesert”；iffriendshipwerelasting；ifmeritwererenown，andrenownwerehealth，riches，andlonglife；orifthehomageoftheworldwerepaidtoconsciousworthandthetrueaspirationsafterexcellence，insteadofitsgaudysignsandoutwardtrappings，thenindeedImightbeofopinionthatitisbettertolivetoothersthanone”s-self；butasthecasestands，Iinclinetothenegativesideofthequestion。[3]

Ihavenotlovedtheworld，northeworldme；

Ihavenotflattereditsrankbreath，norbow”dToitsidolatriesapatientknee——

Norcoin”dmycheektosmiles——norcriedaloudInworshipofanecho；inthecrowdTheycouldnotdeemmeoneofsuch；IstoodAmongthem，butnotofthem；inashroudOfthoughtswhichwerenottheirthoughts，andstillcould，HadInotfilledmymindwhichthusitselfsubdued。

Ihavenotlovedtheworld，northeworldme——

Butletuspartfairfoes；Idobelieve，ThoughIhavefoundthemnot，thattheremaybeWordswhicharethings——hopeswhichwillnotdeceive，AndvirtueswhicharemercifulnorweaveSnaresforthefailing：IwouldalsodeemO”erothers”griefsthatsomesincerelygrieve；

Thattwo，orone，arealmostwhattheyseem——

Thatgoodnessisnoname，andhappinessnodream。

Sweetverseembalmsthespiritofsourmisanthropy；butwoebetidetheignobleprose-writerwhoshouldthusdaretocomparenoteswiththeworld，ortaxitroundlywithimposture。

IfIhadsufficientprovocationtorailatthepublic，asBenJonsondidattheaudienceintheProloguestohisplays，IthinkIshoulddoitingoodsetterms，nearlyasfollows：——Thereisnotamoremean，stupid，dastardly，pitiful，selfish，spiteful，envious，ungratefulanimalthanthePublic。Itisthegreatestofcowards，foritisafraidofitself。

Fromitsunwieldy，overgrowndimensions，itdreadstheleastoppositiontoit，andshakeslikeisinglassatthetouchofafinger。Itstartsatitsownshadow，likethemanintheHartzmountains，andtremblesatthementionofitsownname。Ithasalion”smouth，theheartofahare，withearserectandsleeplesseyes。Itstands”listeningitsfears。”

Itissoinaweofitsownopinionthatitneverdarestoformany，butcatchesupthefirstidlerumour，lestitshouldbebehindhandinitsjudgment，andechoesittillitisdeafenedwiththesoundofitsownvoice。Theideaofwhatthepublicwillthinkpreventsthepublicfromeverthinkingatall，andactsasaspellontheexerciseofprivatejudgment，sothat，inshort，thepublicearisatthemercyofthefirstimpudentpretenderwhochoosestofillitwithnoisyassertions，orfalsesurmises，orsecretwhispers。Whatissaidbyoneisheardbyall；thesuppositionthatathingisknowntoalltheworldmakesalltheworldbelieveit，andthehollowrepetitionofavaguereportdrownsthe”still，smallvoice”ofreason。Wemaybelieveorknowthatwhatissaidisnottrue；butweknoworfancythatothersbelieveit，——wedarenotcontradictoraretooindolenttodisputewiththem，andthereforegiveupourinternal，and，aswethink，oursolitaryconvictiontoasoundwithoutsubstance，withoutproof，andoftenwithoutmeaning。Naymore，wemaybelieveandknownotonlythatathingisfalse，butthatothersbelieveandknowittobeso，thattheyarequiteasmuchinthesecretoftheimpostureasweare，thattheyseethepuppetsatwork，thenatureofthemachinery，andyetifanyonehastheartorpowertogetthemanagementofit，heshallkeeppossessionofthepublicearbyvirtueofacantphraseornickname，andbydintofeffronteryandperseverancemakealltheworldbelieveandrepeatwhatalltheworldknowtobefalse。Theearisquickerthanthejudgment。Weknowthatcertainthingsaresaid；bythatcircumstancealone，weknowthattheyproduceacertaineffectontheimaginationofothers，andweconformtotheirprejudicesbymechanicalsympathy，andforwantofsufficientspirittodifferwiththem。Sofarthenispublicopinionfromrestingonabroadandsolidbasis，astheaggregateofthoughtandfeelinginacommunity，thatitisslightandshallowandvariabletothelastdegree——thebubbleofthemoment；sothatwemaysafelysaythepublicisthedupeofpublicopinion，notitsparent。Thepublicispusillanimousandcowardly，becauseitisweak。Itknowsitselftobeagreatdunce，andthatithasnoopinionsbutuponsuggestion。Yetitisunwillingtoappearinleading-strings，andwouldhaveitthoughtthatitsdecisionsareaswiseastheyareweighty。Itishastyintakingupitsfavourites，morehastyinlayingthemaside，lestitshouldbesupposeddeficientinsagacityineithercase。Itisgenerallydividedintotwostrongparties，eachofwhichwillallowneithercommonsensenorcommonhonestytotheotherside。Itreadsthe_Edinburgh_and_QuarterlyReviews_，andbelievesthemboth——orifthereisadoubt，maliceturnsthescale。TaylorandHesseytoldmethattheyhadsoldnearlytwoeditionsofthe_CharactersofShakespear”sPlays_inaboutthreemonths，butthatafterthe_QuarterlyReview_ofthemcameouttheyneversoldanothercopy。Thepublic，enlightenedastheyare，musthaveknownthemeaningofthatattackaswellasthosewhomadeit。Itwasnotignorancethen，butcowardice，thatledthemtogiveuptheirownopinion。AcrewofmischievouscriticsatEdinburghhavingaffixedtheepithetofthe_CockneySchool_tooneortwowritersborninthemetropolis，allthepeopleinLondonbecameafraidoflookingintotheirworks，lesttheytooshouldbeconvictedofcockneyism。Oh，bravepublic！Thisepithetprovedtoomuchforoneofthewritersinquestion，andstucklikeabarbedarrowinhisheart。PoorKeats！Whatwassporttothetownwasdeathtohim。Young，sensitive，delicate，hewaslikeAbudbitbyanenviousworm，ErehecouldspreadhissweetleavestotheairOrdedicatehisbeautytothesun；

andunabletoendurethemiscreantcryandidiotlaugh，withdrewtosighhislastbreathinforeignclimes。Thepublicisasenviousandungratefulasitisignorant，stupid，andpigeon-livered——

Ahuge-sizedmonsterofingratitudes。

Itreads，itadmires，itextols，onlybecauseitisthefashion，notfromanyloveofthesubjectortheman。Itcriesyouuporrunsyoudownoutofmerecapriceandlevity。Ifyouhavepleasedit，itisjealousofitsowninvoluntaryacknowledgmentofmerit，andseizesthefirstopportunity，thefirstshabbypretext，topickaquarrelwithyouandbequitsoncemore。Everypettycavilleriserectedintoajudge，everytale-bearerisimplicitlybelieved。Everylittle，low，paltrycreaturethatgapedandwondered，onlybecauseothersdidso，isgladtofindyou(ashethinks)onalevelwithhimself。Anauthorisnotthen，afterall，abeingofanotherorder。Publicadmirationisforced，andgoesagainstthegrain。Publicobloquyiscordialandsincere：everyindividualfeelshisownimportanceinit。Theygiveyouupboundhandandfootintothepowerofyouraccusers。Toattempttodefendyourselfisahighcrimeandmisdemeanor，acontemptofcourt，anextremepieceofimpertinence。Orifyouproveeverychargeunfounded，theyneverthinkofretracingtheirerrorormakingyouamends。Itwouldbeacompromiseoftheirdignity；theyconsiderthemselvesasthepartyinjured，andresentyourinnocenceasanimputationontheirjudgment。

ThecelebratedBubDoddington，whenoutoffavouratcourt，said”hewouldnot_justify_beforehissovereign：itwasforMajestytobedispleased，andforhimtobelievehimselfinthewrong！”Thepublicarenotquitesomodest。PeoplealreadybegintotalkoftheScotchNovelsasoverrated。Howthencancommonauthorsbesupposedtokeeptheirheadslongabovewater？Asageneralrule，allthosewholivebythepublicstarve，andaremadeaby-wordandastandingjestintothebargain。Posterityisnobetter(notabitmoreenlightenedormoreliberal)，exceptthatyouarenolongerintheirpower，andthatthevoiceofcommonfamesavesthemthetroubleofdecidingonyourclaims。

ThepublicnowaretheposterityofMiltonandShakespear。Ourposteritywillbethelivingpublicofafuturegeneration。Whenamanisdead，theyputmoneyinhiscoffin，erectmonumentstohismemory，andcelebratetheanniversaryofhisbirthdayinsetspeeches。Wouldtheytakeanynoticeofhimifhewereliving？No！——IwascomplainingofthistoaScotchmanwhohadbeenattendingadinnerandasubscriptiontoraiseamonumenttoBurns。Herepliedhewouldsoonersubscribetwentypoundstohismonumentthanhavegivenithimwhileliving；sothatifthepoetweretocometolifeagain，hewouldtreathimjustashewastreatedinfact。ThiswasanhonestScotchman。What_he_said，therestwoulddo。

Enough：mysoul，turnfromthem，andletmetrytoregaintheobscurityandquietthatIlove，”farfromthemaddingstrife”insomesequesteredcornerofmyown，orinsomefar-distantland！Inthelattercase，ImightcarrywithmeasaconsolationthepassageinBolinbroke”s_ReflectionsonExile，_inwhichhedescribesinglowingcolourstheresourceswhichamanmayalwaysfindwithinhimself，andofwhichtheworldcannotdeprivehim：——”Believeme，theprovidenceofGodhasestablishedsuchanorderintheworld，thatofallwhichbelongstoustheleastvaluablepartscanalonefallunderthewillofothers。Whateverisbestissafest；liesoutofthereachofhumanpower；canneitherbegivennortakenaway。

Suchisthisgreatandbeautifulworkofnature，theworld。Suchisthemindofman，whichcontemplatesandadmirestheworld，whereofitmakesthenoblestpart。Theseareinseparablyours，andaslongasweremaininoneweshallenjoytheother。Letusmarchthereforeintrepidlywhereverweareledbythecourseofhumanaccidents。Wherevertheyleadus，onwhatcoastsoeverwearethrownbythem，weshallnotfindourselvesabsolutelystrangers。Weshallfeelthesamerevolutionofseasons，andthesamesunandmoon[4]willguidethecourseofouryear。

Thesameazurevault，bespangledwithstars，willbeeverywherespreadoverourheads。Thereisnopartoftheworldfromwhencewemaynotadmirethoseplanetswhichroll，likeours，indifferentorbitsroundthesamecentralsun；fromwhencewemaynotdiscoveranobjectstillmorestupendous，thatarmyoffixedstarshungupintheimmensespaceoftheuniverse，innumerablesunswhosebeamsenlightenandcherishtheunknownworldswhichrollaroundthem：andwhilstIamravishedbysuchcontemplationsasthese，whilstmysoulisthusraiseduptoheaven，itimportsmelittlewhatgroundItread-upon。”

NOTEStoESSAYX

[1]WrittenatWinterslowHut，January18-19，1821。

[2]Webster”s_DuchessofMalfy。_

[3]ShenstoneandGrayweretwomen，oneofwhompretendedlivetohimself，andtheotherreallydidso。Grayshrunkfromthepublicgaze(hedidnotevenlikehisportraittobeprefixedtohisworks)intohisownthoughtsandindolentmusings；Shenstoneaffectedprivacythathemightbesoughtoutbytheworld；theonecourtedretirementinordertoenjoyleisureandrepose，astheothercoquettedwithitmerelytobeinterruptedwiththeimportunityofvisitorsandtheflatteriesofabsentfriends。

[4]Plut。ofBanishment。HecomparesthosewhocannotliveoutoftheirowncountrytothesimplepeoplewhofanciedthemoonofAthenswasafinermoonthanthatofCorinth，Labentemcoeloquaeducitisannum——VIRG。_Georg。_

ESSAYXI

ONTHOUGHTANDACTION

Thosepersonswhoaremuchaccustomedtoabstractcontemplationaregenerallyunfittedforactivepursuits，and_viceversa_。Imyselfamsufficientlydecidedanddogmaticalinmyopinions，andyetinactionI

amasimbecileasawomanorachild。Icannotsetaboutthemostindifferentthingwithouttwentyefforts，andhadratherwriteoneoftheseEssaysthanhavetosealaletter。Intryingtothrowahatorabookuponatable，Imissit；itjustreachestheedgeandfallsbackagain，andinsteadofdoingwhatImeantoperform，IdowhatIintendtoavoid。Thoughtdependsonthehabitualexerciseofthespeculativefaculties；action，onthedeterminationofthewill。Theoneassignsreasonsforthings，theotherputscausesintoact。AbrahamTuckerrelatesofafriendofhis，anoldspecialpleader，thatoncecomingoutofhischambersintheTemplewithhimtotakeawalk，hehesitatedatthebottomofthestairswhichwaytogo——proposeddifferentdirections，toCharingCross，toSt。Paul”s——foundsomeobjectiontothemall，andatlastturnedbackforwantofacastingmotivetoinclinethescale。

Tuckergivesthisasaninstanceofprofessionalindecision，orofthattemperofmindwhichhavingbeenlongusedtoweighthereasonsforthingswithscrupulousexactness，couldnotcometoanyconclusionatallonthespuroftheoccasion，orwithoutsomegravedistinctiontojustifyitschoice。LouvetinhisNarrativetellsus，thatwhenseveraloftheBrisotinpartywerecollectedatthehouseofBarbaroux(Ithinkitwas)readytoeffecttheirescapefromthepowerofRobespierre，oneofthemgoingtothewindowandfindingashowerofraincomingon，seriouslyadvisedtheirstoppingtillthenextmorning，forthattheemissariesofgovernmentwouldnotthinkofcominginsearchoftheminsuchbadweather。Someofthemdeliberatedonthiswiseproposal，andwerenearlytaken。Suchistheeffeminacyofthespeculativeandphilosophicaltemperament，comparedwiththepromptnessandvigourofthepractical！Itisonsuchunequaltermsthattherefinedandromanticspeculatorsonpossiblegoodandevilcontendwiththeirstrong-nerved，remorselessadversaries，andweseetheresult。

Reasonersingeneralareundecided，wavering，andsceptical，oryieldatlasttotheweakestmotiveasmostcongenialtotheirfeeblehabitofsoul。[1]

Somemenaremeremachines。Theyareputinago-cartofbusiness，andareharnessedtoaprofession——yokedtoFortune”swheels。Theyplodon，andsucceed。Theiraffairsconductthem，nottheytheiraffairs。Alltheyhavetodoistoletthingstaketheircourse，andnotgooutofthebeatenroad。Amanmaycarryonthebusinessoffarmingonthesamespotandprinciplethathisancestorshavedoneformanygenerationsbeforehimwithoutanyextraordinaryshareofcapacity：theproofis，itisdoneeveryday，ineverycountyandparishinthekingdom。Allthatisnecessaryisthatheshouldnotpretendtobewiserthanhisneighbours。Ifhehasagrainmorewitorpenetrationthanthey，ifhisvanitygetsthestartofhisavariceonlyhalfaneck，ifhehaseverthoughtorreadanythinguponthesubject，itwillmostprobablybetheruinofhim。Hewillturntheoreticalorexperimentalfarmer，andnomoreneedbesaid。Mr。Cobbett，whoisasufficientlyshrewdandpracticalman，withaneyealsotothemainchance，hadgotsomenotionsinhishead(fromTull”s_Husbandry_)aboutthemethodofsowingturnips，towhichhewouldhavesacrificednotonlyhisestateatBotley，buthisnativecountyofHampshireitself，soonerthangiveupaninchofhisargument。”Tut！willyoubaulkamaninthecareerofhishumour？”Therefore，thatamanmaynotberuinedbyhishumours，heshouldbetoodullandphlegmatictohaveany：hemusthave”nofiguresnornofantasieswhichbusythoughtdrawsinthebrainsofmen。”Thefactis，thattheingenuityorjudgmentofnoonemanisequaltothatoftheworldatlarge，whichisthefruitoftheexperienceandabilityofallmankind。Evenwhereamanisrightinaparticularnotion，hewillbeapttooverratetheimportanceofhisdiscovery，tothedetrimentofhisaffairs。Actionrequiresco-operation，butingeneralifyousetyourfaceagainstcustom，peoplewillsettheirfacesagainstyou。Theycannottellwhetheryouarerightorwrong，buttheyknowthatyouareguiltyofapragmaticalassumptionofsuperiorityoverthemwhichtheydonotlike。Thereisnodoubtthatifapersontwohundredyearsagohadforeseenandattemptedtoputinpracticethemostapprovedandsuccessfulmethodsofcultivationnowinuse，itwouldhavebeenadeath-blowtohiscreditandfortune。Sothatthoughtheexperimentsandimprovementsofprivateindividualsfromtimetotimegraduallygotoenrichthepublicstockofinformationandreformthegeneralpractice，theyaremostlytheruinofthepersonwhomakesthem，becausehetakesapartforthewhole，andlaysmorestressuponthesinglepointinwhichhehasfoundothersinthewrongthanonalltherestinwhichtheyaresubstantiallyandprescriptivelyintheright。

Thegreatrequisite，itshouldappear，then，fortheprosperousmanagementofordinarybusinessisthewantofimagination，orofanyideasbutthoseofcustomandinterestonthenarrowestscale；andastheaffairsoftheworldarenecessarilycarriedonbythecommonrunofitsinhabitants，itseemsawisedispensationofProvidencethatitshouldbeso。Ifnoonecouldrentapieceofglebe-landwithoutageniusformechanicalinventions，orstandbehindacounterwithoutalargebenevolenceofsoul，whatwouldbecomeofthecommercialandagriculturalinterestsofthisgreat(andonceflourishing)country？——I

wouldnotbeunderstoodassayingthatthereisnotwhatmaybecalledageniusforbusiness，anextraordinarycapacityforaffairs，quicknessandcomprehensionunited，aninsightintocharacter，anacquaintancewithanumberofparticularcircumstances，avarietyofexpedients，atactforfindingoutwhatwilldo：Igrantallthis(inLiverpoolandManchestertheywouldpersuadeyouthatyourmerchantandmanufacturerisyouronlygentlemanandscholar)——butstill，makingeveryallowanceforthedifferencebetweentheliberaltraderandthesneakingshopkeeper，Idoubtwhetherthemostsurprisingsuccessistobeaccountedforfromanysuchunusualattainments，orwhetheraman”smakinghalfamillionofmoneyisaproofofhiscapacityforthoughtingeneral。Itismuchoftenerowingtoviewsandwishesboundedbutconstantlydirectedtooneparticularobject。Tosucceed，amanshouldaimonlyatsuccess。ThechildofFortuneshouldresignhimselfintothehandsofFortune。Aplottingheadfrequentlyoverreachesitself：amindconfidentofitsresourcesandcalculatingpowersentersoncriticalspeculations，whichinagamedependingsomuchonchanceandunforeseenevents，andnotentirelyonintellectualskill，turntheoddsgreatlyagainstanyoneinthelongrun。Theruleofbusinessistotakewhatyoucanget，andkeepwhatyouhavegot；oraneagernessinseizingeveryopportunitythatoffersforpromotingyourowninterest，andaplodding，perseveringindustryinmakingthemostoftheadvantagesyouhavealreadyobtained，arethemosteffectualaswellasthesafestingredientsinthecompositionofthemercantilecharacter。