Theworldisabookinwhichthe_ChapterofAccidents_isnoneoftheleastconsiderable；oritisamachinethatmustbeleft，inagreatmeasure，toturnitself。Themostthataworldly-mindedmancandoistostandatthereceiptofcustom，andbeconstantlyonthelookoutforwindfalls。ThetruedevoteeinthiswaywaitsfortherevelationsofFortuneasthepoetwaitsfortheinspirationoftheMuse，anddoesnotrashlyanticipateherfavours。Hemustbeneithercapriciousnorwilful。Ihaveknownpeopleuntrammelledinthewaysofbusiness，butwithsointenseanapprehensionoftheirowninterest，thattheywouldgraspattheslightestpossibilityofgainasacertainty，andwereledintoasmanymistakesbyanovergriping，usuriousdispositionastheycouldhavebeenbythemostthoughtlessextravagance——Wehearagreatoutcryaboutthewantofjudgmentinmenofgenius。Itisnotawantofjudgment，butanexcessofotherthings。Theyerrknowingly，andarewilfullyblind。Theunderstandingisoutofthequestion。Theprofoundjudgmentwhichsobererpeoplepiquethemselvesuponisintruthawantofpassionandimagination。Givethemaninterestinanything，asuddenfancy，abaitfortheirfavouritefoible，andwhosobesottedasthey？
Stirtheirfeelings，andfarewelltotheirprudence！Theunderstandingoperatesasamotivetoactiononlyinthesilenceofthepassions。I
haveheardpeopleofasanguinetemperamentreproachedwithbettingaccordingtotheirwishes，insteadoftheiropinionwhoshouldwin；andIhaveseenthosewhoreproachedthemdotheverysamethingtheinstanttheirownvanityorprejudicesareconcerned。Themostmechanicalpeople，oncethrownofftheirbalance，arethemostextravagantandfantastical。Whatpassionistheresounmeaningandirrationalasavariceitself？TheDutchwentmadfortulips，and——forlove！
Toreturntowhatwassaidalittlewayback，aquestionmightbestarted，whetherasthoughtrelatestothewholecircumferenceofthingsandinterests，andbusinessisconfinedtoaverysmallpartofthem，viz。toaknowledgeofaman”sownaffairsandthemakingofhisownfortune，whetheratalentforthelatterwillnotgenerallyexistinproportiontothenarrownessandgrossnessofhisideas，nothingdrawinghisattentionoutofhisownsphere，orgivinghimaninterestexceptinthosethingswhichhecanrealiseandbringhometohimselfinthemostundoubtedshape？TothemanofbusinessalltheworldisafablebuttheStockExchange：tothemoney-getternothinghasarealexistencethathecannotconvertintoatangiblefeeling，thathedoesnotrecogniseasproperty，thathecannot”measurewithatwo-footruleorcountupontenfingers。”Thewantofthought，ofimagination，drivesthepracticalmanuponimmediaterealities：tothepoetorphilosopherallisrealandinterestingthatistrueorpossible，thatcanreachinitsconsequencestoothers，orbemadeasubjectofcuriousspeculationtohimself！
Butisitright，then，tojudgeofactionbythequantityofthoughtimpliedinit，anymorethanitwouldbetocondemnalifeofcontemplationforbeinginactive？Orhasnoteverythingasourceandprincipleofitsown，towhichweshouldreferit，andnottotheprinciplesofotherthings？Hewhosucceedsinanypursuitinwhichothersfailmaybepresumedtohavequalitiesofsomesortorotherwhichtheyarewithout。Ifhehasnotbrilliantwit，hemayhavesolidsense；ifhehasnotsubtletyofunderstanding，hemayhaveenergyandfirmnessofpurpose；ifhehasonlyafewadvantages，hemayhavemodestyandprudencetomakethemostofwhathepossesses。Proprietyisonegreatmatterintheconductoflife；which，though，likeagracefulcarriageofthebody，itisneitherdefinablenorstrikingatfirstsight，istheresultoffinelybalancedfeelings，andlendsasecretstrengthandcharmtothewholecharacter。
Quicquidagit，quoquovestigiavertit，Componitfurtim，subsequiturquedecor。
Therearemorewaysthanoneinwhichthevariousfacultiesofthemindmayunfoldthemselves。Neitherwordsnorideasreducibletowordsconstitutetheutmostlimitofhumancapacity。Manisnotamerelytalkingnoramerelyreasoninganimal。Letusthentakehimasheis，insteadof”curtailinghimofnature”sfairproportions”tosuitourpreviousnotions。Doubtless，therearegreatcharactersbothinactiveandcontemplativelife。Therehavebeenheroesaswellassages，legislatorsandfoundersofreligion，historiansandablestatesmenandgenerals，inventorsofusefulartsandinstrumentsandexplorersofundiscoveredcountries，aswellaswritersandreadersofbooks。Itwillnotdotosetalltheseasideunderanyfastidiousorpedanticdistinction。Comparisonsareodious，becausetheyareimpertinent，andleadonlytothediscoveryofdefectsbymakingonethingthestandardofanotherwhichhasnorelationtoit。If，assomeoneproposed，weweretoinstituteaninquiry，”Whichwasthegreatestman，MiltonorCromwell，BuonaparteorRubens？”weshouldhavealltheauthorsandartistsononeside，andallthemilitarymenandthewholediplomaticbodyontheother，whowouldsettoworkwithalltheirmighttopullinpiecestheidoloftheotherparty，andthelongerthedisputecontinued，themorewouldeachgrowdissatisfiedwithhisfavourite，thoughdeterminedtoallownomerittoanyoneelse。Themindisnotwellcompetenttotakeinthefullimpressionofmorethanonestyleofexcellenceoroneextraordinarycharacteratonce；contradictoryclaimspuzzleandstupefyit；andhoweveradmirableanyindividualmaybeinhimselfandunrivalledinhisparticularway，yetifwetryhimbyothersinatotallyoppositeclass，thatis，ifweconsidernotwhathewasbutwhathewasnot，hewillbefoundtobenothing。Wedonotreckonuptheexcellencesoneitherside，forthenthesewouldsatisfythemindandputanendtothecomparison：wehavenowayofexclusivelysettingupourfavouritebutbyrunningdownhissupposedrival；andforthegorgeoushuesofRubens，theloftyconceptionsofMilton，thedeeppolicyandcautiousdaringofCromwell，orthedazzlingexploitsandfatalambitionofthemodernchieftain，thepoetistransformedintoapedant，theartistsinksintoamechanic，thepoliticianturnsoutnobetterthanaknave，andtheheroisexaltedintoamadman。Itisaseasytogetthestartofourantagonistinargumentbyfrivolousandvexatiousobjectionstoonesideofthequestionasitisdifficulttodofullandheapedjusticetotheother。IfIamaskedwhichisthegreatestofthosewhohavebeenthegreatestindifferentways，I
answer，theonethatwehappentobethinkingofatthetime；forwhilethatisthecase，wecanconceiveofnothinghigher。Ifthereisapropensityinthevulgartoadmiretheachievementsofpersonalprowessorinstancesoffortunateenterprisetoomuch，itcannotbedeniedthatthosewhohavetoweighoutanddispensethemeedoffameinbookshavebeentoomuchdisposed，byanaturalbias，toconfineallmeritandtalenttotheproductionsofthepen，oratleasttothoseworkswhich，beingartificialorabstractrepresentationsofthings，aretransmittedtoposterity，andcriedupasmodelsintheirkind。This，thoughunavoidable，ishardlyjust。Actionspassawayandareforgotten，orareonlydiscernibleintheireffects；conquerors，statesmen，andkingslivebutbytheirnamesstampedonthepageofhistory。HumesaysrightlythatmorepeoplethinkaboutVirgilandHomer(andthatcontinually)thanevertroubletheirheadsaboutCaesarorAlexander。
Infact，poetsarealonger-livedracethanheroes：theybreathemoreoftheairofimmortality。Theysurvivemoreentireintheirthoughtsandacts。WehaveallthatVirgilorHomerdid，asmuchasifwehadlivedatthesametimewiththem：wecanholdtheirworksinourhands，orlaythemonourpillows，orputthemtoourlips。Scarcelyatraceofwhattheothersdidisleftupontheearth，soastobevisibletocommoneyes。Theone，thedeadauthors，arelivingmen，stillbreathingandmovingintheirwritings。Theothers，theconquerorsoftheworld，arebuttheashesinanurn。Thesympathy(sotospeak)betweenthoughtandthoughtismoreintimateandvitalthanthatbetweenthoughtandaction。
Thoughtislinkedtothoughtasflamekindlesintoflame：thetributeofadmirationtothemanesofdepartedheroismislikeburningincenseinamarblemonument。Words，ideas，feelings，withtheprogressoftimehardenintosubstances：things，bodies，actions，moulderaway，ormeltintoasound，intothinair！——YetthoughtheSchoolmenintheMiddleAgesdisputedmoreaboutthetextsofAristotlethanthebattleofArbela，perhapsAlexander”sGeneralsinhislifetimeadmiredhispupilasmuchandlikedhimbetter。Fornotonlyaman”sactionsareeffacedandvanishwithhim；hisvirtuesandgenerousqualitiesdiewithhimalso：hisintellectonlyisimmortalandbequeathedunimpairedtoposterity。Wordsaretheonlythingsthatlastforever。
If，however，theempireofwordsandgeneralknowledgeismoredurableinproportionasitisabstractedandattenuated，itislessimmediateanddazzling：ifauthorsareasgoodaftertheyaredeadaswhentheywereliving，whilelivingtheymightaswellbedead：andmoreoverwithrespecttoactualability，towriteabookisnottheonlyproofoftaste，sense，orspirit，aspedantswouldhaveussuppose。Todoanythingwell，topaintapicture，tofightabattle，tomakeaploughorathreshing-machine，requires，onewouldthink，asmuchskillandjudgmentastotalkaboutorwriteadescriptionofitwhendone。Wordsareuniversal，intelligiblesigns，buttheyarenottheonlyreal，existingthings。DidnotJuliusCaesarshowhimselfasmuchofamaninconductinghiscampaignsasincomposinghisCommentaries？OrwastheRetreatoftheTenThousandunderXenophon，orhisworkofthatname，themostconsummateperformance？OrwouldnotLovelace，supposinghimtohaveexistedandtohaveconceivedandexecutedallhisfinestratagemsonthespuroftheoccasion，havebeenascleverafellowasRichardson，whoinventedthemincoldblood？Iftoconceiveanddescribeanheroiccharacteristheheightofaliteraryambition，wecanhardlymakeitoutthattobeandtodoallthatthewitofmancanfeignisnothing。Tousemeanstoends；tosetcausesinmotion；towieldthemachineofsociety；tosubjectthewillsofotherstoyourown；tomanageablermenthanyourselfbymeansofthatwhichisstrongerinthemthantheirwisdom，viz。theirweaknessandtheirfolly；
tocalculatetheresistanceofignoranceandprejudicetoyourdesigns，andbyobviating，toturnthemtoaccount；toforeseealong，obscure，andcomplicatedtrainofevents，ofchancesandopeningsofsuccess；tounwindthewebofothers”policyandweaveyourownoutofit；tojudgeoftheeffectsofthings，notintheabstract，butwithreferencetoalltheirbearings，ramifications，andimpediments；tounderstandcharacterthoroughly；toseelatenttalentorlurkingtreachery；toknowmankindforwhattheyare，andusethemastheydeserve；tohaveapurposesteadilyinview，andtoeffectitafterremovingeveryobstacle；tomasterothersandbetruetoyourself，——askspowerandknowledge，bothnervesandbrain。
Suchisthesortoftalentthatthatmaybeshownandthathasbeenpossessedbythegreatleadersonthestageoftheworld。Toaccomplishgreatthingsargues，Iimagine，greatresolution：todesigngreatthingsimpliesnocommonmind。Ambitionisinsomesortgenius。ThoughI
wouldratherwearoutmylifeinarguingabroadspeculativequestionthanincaballingfortheelectiontoawardmote，orcanvassingforvotesinarottenborough，yetIshouldthinkthattheloftiestEpicureanphilosophermightdescendfromhispunctiliotoidentifyhimselfwiththesupportofagreatprinciple，ortopropafallingstate。Thisiswhatthelegislatorsandfoundersofempiredidofold；
andthepermanenceoftheirinstitutionsshowedthedepthoftheprinciplesfromwhichtheyemanated。Atragicpoemisnottheworseforactingwell：ifitwillnotbearthistestitsavoursofeffeminacy。
Well-digestedschemeswillstandthetouchstoneofexperience。Greatthoughtsreducedtopracticebecomegreatacts。Again，greatactsgrowoutofgreatoccasions，andgreatoccasionsspringfromgreatprinciples，workingchangesinsociety，andtearingitupbytheroots。
ButIstillconceivethatageniusforactionsdependsessentiallyonthestrengthofthewillratherthanonthatoftheunderstanding；thatthelong-headedcalculationofcausesandconsequencesarisesfromtheenergyofthefirstcause，whichisthewillsettingothersinmotionandpreparedtoanticipatetheresults；thatitssagacityisactivitydelightinginmeetingdifficultiesandadventuresmorethanhalf-way，anditswisdomcouragenottoshrinkfromdanger，buttoredoubleitseffortswithopposition。Itshumanity，ifithasmuch，ismagnanimitytosparethevanquished，exultinginpowerbutnotpronetomischief，withgoodsenseenoughtobeawareoftheinstabilityoffortune，andwithsomeregardtoreputation。Whatmayserveasacriteriontotrythisquestionbyisthefollowingconsideration，thatwesometimesfindasremarkableadeficiencyofthespeculativefacultycoupledwithgreatstrengthofwillandconsequentsuccessinactivelifeaswedoawantofvoluntarypowerandtotalincapacityforbusinessfrequentlyjoinedtothehighestmentalqualifications。Insomecasesitwillhappenthat”tobewiseistobeobstinate。”Ifyouaredeaftoreasonbutsticktoyourownpurposes，youwilltireothersout，andbringthemovertoyourwayofthinking。Self-willandblindprejudicearethebestdefenceofactualpowerandexclusiveadvantages。Theforeheadofthelatekingwasnotremarkableforthecharacterofintellect，butthelowerpartofhisfacewasexpressiveofstrongpassionsandfixedresolution。
CharlesFoxhadananimated，intelligenteye，andbrilliant，elasticforehead(withanoseindicatingfinetaste)，butthelowerfeatureswereweak，unsettled，fluctuating，andwithout_purchase_——itwasinthemtheWhigsweredefeated。WhatafineironbindingBuonapartehadroundhisface，asifitbadbeencasedinsteel！Whatsensibilityaboutthemouth！Whatwatchfulpenetrationintheeye！Whatasmooth，unruffledforehead！Mr。Pitt，withlittlesunkeneyes，hadahigh，retreatingforehead，andanoseexpressingprideandaspiringself-opinion：itwasonthat(withsubmission)thathesuspendedthedecisionsoftheHouseofCommonsanddangledtheOppositionashepleased。LordCastlereaghisamanratherdeficientthanredundantinwordsandtopics。Heisnot(anymorethanSt。Augustinewas，intheopinionofLaFontaine)sogreatawitasRabelais，norishesogreataphilosopherasAristotle；buthehasthatinhimwhichisnottobetrifledwith。Hehasanoblemaskofaface(notwellfilledupintheexpression，whichisrelaxedanddormant)withafinepersonandmanner。
OnthestrengthofthesehehazardshisspeechesintheHouse。Hehasalsoaknowledgeofmankind，andofthecompositionoftheHouse。Hetakesathrustwhichhecannotparryonhisshield——is”alltranquillityandsmiles”underavolleyofabuse，seeswhentopayacomplimenttoawaveringantagonist，soothesthemeltingmoodofhishearers，orgetsupaspeechfullofindignation，andknowshowtobestowhisattentionsonthatgreatpublicbody，whetherhewheedlesorbullies，soastobringittocompliance。Withalongreachofundefinedpurposes(theresultofatempertooindolentforthought，tooviolentforrepose)hehasequalperseveranceandpliancyinbringinghisobjectstopass。IwouldratherbeLordCastlereagh，asfarasasenseofpowerisconcerned(principleisoutofthequestion)，thansuchamanasMr。Canning，whoisamerefluentsophist，andneverknowsthelimitofdiscretion，ortheeffectwhichwillbeproducedbywhathesays，exceptasfarasfloridcommon-placesmaybedependedon。BuonaparteisreferredbyMr。
Coleridgetotheclassofactiveratherthanofintellectualcharacters；
andCowleyhasleftaninvidiousbutsplendideulogyonOliverCromwell，whichsetsoutonmuchthesameprinciple。”What”hesays，”canbemoreextraordinarythanthatapersonofmeanbirth，nofortune，noeminentqualitiesofbody，whichhavesometimes，orofmind，whichhaveoften，raisedmentothehighestdignities，shouldhavethecouragetoattempt，andthehappinesstosucceedin，soimprobableadesignasthedestructionofoneofthemostancientandmostsolidly-foundedmonarchiesupontheearth？Thatheshouldhavethepowerorboldnesstoputhisprinceandmastertoanopenandinfamousdeath；tobanishthatnumerousandstrongly-alliedfamily；todoallthisunderthenameandwagesofaParliament；totrampleuponthemtooashepleased，andspurnthemoutofdoorswhenhegrowwearyofthem；toraiseupanewandunheard-ofmonsteroutoftheirashes；tostiflethatintheveryinfancy，andsetuphimselfaboveallthingsthateverwerecalledsovereigninEngland；tooppressallhisenemiesbyarms，andallhisfriendsafterwardsbyartifice；toserveallpartiespatientlyforawhile，andtocommandthemvictoriouslyatlast；tooverruneachcornerofthethreenations，andovercomewithequalfacilityboththerichesofthesouthandthepovertyofthenorth；tobefearedandcourtedbyallforeignprinces，andadoptedabrothertotheGodsoftheearth；tocalltogetherParliamentswithawordofhispen，andscatterthemagainwiththebreathofhismouth；tobehumblyanddailypetitionedthatbewouldpleasetobehired，attherateoftwomillionsayear，tobethemasterofthosewhohadhiredhimbeforetobetheirservant；tohavetheestatesandlivesofthreekingdomsasmuchathisdisposalaswasthelittleinheritanceofhisfather，andtobeasnobleandliberalinthespendingofthem；andlastly(forthereisnoendofalltheparticularsofhisglory)，tobequeathallthiswithonewordtohisposterity；todiewithpeaceathome，andtriumphabroad；tobeburiedamongkings，andwithmorethanregalsolemnity；andtoleaveanamebehindhim，nottobeextinguishedbutwiththewholeworld；whichasitisnowtoolittleforhispraises，somighthavebeentooforhisconquests，iftheshortlineofhishumanlifecouldhavebeenstretchedouttotheextentofhisimmortaldesigns！”
Cromwellwasabadspeakerandaworsewriter。MiltonwrotehisdespatchesforhiminelegantanderuditeLatin；andthepenoftheone，liketheswordoftheother，was”sharpandsweet。”Wehavenotthatunioninmoderntimesoftheheroicandliterarycharacterwhichwascommonamongtheancients。JuliusCaesarandXenophonrecordedtheirownactswithequalclearnessofstyleandmodestyoftemper。TheDukeofWellington(worseoffthanCromwell)isobligedtogetMr。MudfordtowritetheHistoryofhisLife。Sophocles，AEschylus，andSocratesweredistinguishedfortheirmilitaryprowessamongtheircontemporaries，thoughnowonlyrememberedforwhattheydidinpoetryandphilosophy。
CiceroandDemosthenes，thetwogreatestoratorsofantiquity，appeartohavebeencowards：nordoesHoraceseemtogiveaveryfavourablepictureofhismartialachievements。ButingeneraltherewasnotthatdivisioninthelaboursofthemindandbodyamongtheGreeksandRomansthathasbeenintroducedamonguseitherbytheprogressofcivilisationorbyagreaterslownessandinaptitudeofparts。TheFrench，forinstance，appeartouniteanumberofaccomplishments，theliterarycharacterandthemanoftheworld，betterthanwedo。Amongus，ascholarisalmostanothernameforapedantoraclown：itisnotsowiththem。Theirphilosophersandwitswentintotheworldandmingledinthesocietyofthefair。OfthisthereneedsnootherproofthanthespiritedprintofmostofthegreatnamesinFrenchliterature，towhomMoliereisreadingacomedyinthepresenceofthecelebratedNinondel”Enclos。D”Alembert，oneofthefirstmathematiciansofhisage，wasawit，amanofgallantryandletters。Withusalearnedmanisabsorbedinhimselfandsomeparticularstudy，andmindsnothingelse。Thereissomethingasceticandimpracticableinhisveryconstitution，andheanswerstothedescriptionoftheMonkinSpenser——
FromeveryworkhechallengedessoinForcontemplation”ssake。
Perhapsthesuperiorimportanceattachedtotheinstitutionsofreligion，aswellasthemoreabstractedandvisionarynatureofitsobjects，hasled(asageneralresult)toawiderseparationbetweenthoughtandactioninmoderntimes。
Ambitionisofahigherandmoreheroicstrainthanavarice。Itsobjectsarenobler，andthemeansbywhichitattainsitsendslessmechanical。
Betterbelordofthemthatricheshave，Thanricheshavemyself，andbetheirservileslave。
Theincentivetoambitionistheloveofpower；thespurtoavariceiseitherthefearofpovertyorastrongdesireofself-indulgence。Theamassersoffortunesseemdividedintotwooppositeclasses——lean，penurious-lookingmortals，orjollyfellowswhoaredeterminedtogetpossessionof，becausetheywanttoenjoy，thegoodthingsoftheworld。
Theonehavefamineandaworkhousealwaysbeforetheireyes；theothers，inthefulnessoftheirpersonsandtherobustnessoftheirconstitutions，seemtobespeakthereversionofalandedestate，richacres，fatbeeves，asubstantialmansion，costlyclothing，achineandcurkey，choicewines，andallothergoodthingsconsonanttothewantsandfull-feddesiresoftheirbodies。Suchmencharmfortunebythesleeknessoftheiraspectsandthegoodlyrotundityoftheirhonestfaces，astheothersscareawaypovertybytheirwan，meagrelooks。Thelaststarvethemselvesintorichesbycareandcarking；thefirsteat，drink，andsleeptheirwayintothegoodthingsofthislife。Thegreatestnumberof_warm_meninthecityaregood，jollyfollows。LookatSirWilliam。Callipashandcallipeearewritteninhisface：
herollsabouthisunwieldybulkinaseaofturtle-soup。Howmanyhaunchesofvenisondoeshecarryonhisback！Heislardedwithjobsandcontracts：heisstuffedandswelledoutwithlayersofbank-notesandinvitationstodinner！Hisfacehangsoutaflagofdefiancetomischance：theroguishtwinkleinhiseyewithwhichhelureshalfthecityandbeatsAlderman——hollow，isasmilereflectedfromheapsofunsunnedgold！NatureandFortunearenotsomuchatvarianceastodifferaboutthisfellow。ToenjoythegoodtheGodsprovideusistodeserveit。NaturemeanthimforaKnight，Alderman，andCityMember；
andFortunelaughedtoseethegoodlypersonandprospectsoftheman！[2]Iamnot，fromcertainearlyprejudices，muchtoadmiretheostentatiousmarksofwealth(therearepersonsenoughtoadmirethemwithoutme)——butIconfess，thereissomethinginthelookoftheoldbanking-housesinLombardStreet，theposternscoveredwithmud，thedoorsopeningsullenlyandsilently，theabsenceofallpretence，thedarknessandthegloomwithin，thegleamingoflampsintheday-time，Likeafaintshadowofuncertainlight，thatalmostrealisesthepoeticalconceptionofthecaveofMammoninSpenser，wheredustandcobwebsconcealedtheroofsandpillarsofsolidgold，andliftsthemindquiteoffitsordinaryhinges。TheaccountofthemannerinwhichthefounderofGuy”sHospitalaccumulatedhisimmensewealthhasalwaystomesomethingromanticinit，fromthesameforceofcontrast。Hewasalittleshop-keeper，andoutofhissavingsboughtBiblesandpurchasedseamen”sticketsinQueenAnne”swars，bywhichheleftafortuneoftwohundredthousandpounds。Thestorysuggeststheideaofamagician；noristhereanythinginthe_ArabianNights_thatlooksmorelikeafiction。
NOTEStoESSAYXI
[1]WhenBuonapartelefttheChamberofDeputiestogoandfighthislastfatalbattle，headvisedthemnottobedebatingtheformsofConstitutionswhentheenemywasattheirgates。BenjaminConstantthoughtotherwise。Hewantedtoplayagameat_cat”s-cradle_betweentheRepublicansandRoyalists，andlosthismatch。Hedidnotcare，sothathehamperedamoreefficientmanthanhimself。
[2]Athoroughfitnessforanyendimpliesthemeans。Wherethereisawill，thereisaway。Arealpassion，anentiredevotiontoanyobject，alwayssucceeds。Thestrongsympathywithwhatwewishandimaginerealisesit，dissipatesallobstacles，andremovesallscruples。Thedisappointedlovermaycomplainasmuchashepleases。Hewashimselftoblame。Hewasahalf-witted，_wishy-washy_fellow。Hislovemightbeasgreatashemakesitout；butitwasnothisrulingpassion。Hisfear，hispride，hisvanitywasgreater。Letanyone”swholesoulbesteepedinthispassion；lethimthinkandcarefornothingelse；letnothingdivert，cool，orintimidatehim；letthe_ideal_feelingbecomeanactualoneandtakepossessionofhiswholefaculties，looks，andmanner；letthesamevoluptuoushopesandwishesgovernhisactionsinthepresenceofhismistressthathaunthisfancyinherabsence，andI
willanswerforhissuccess。ButIwillnotanswerforthesuccessof”adishofskimmedmilk”insuchacase——Icouldalwaysgettoseeafinecollectionofpicturesmyself。Thefactis，Iwassetuponit。
Neitherthesurlinessofportersnortheimpertinenceoffootmencouldkeepmeback。IhadaportraitofTitianinmyeye，andnothingcouldputmeoutinmydetermination。Ifthathadnot(asitwere)beenlookingonmeallthetimeIwasbattlingmyway，Ishouldhavebeenirritatedordisconcerted，andgoneaway。Butmylikingtotheendconqueredmyscruplesoraversiontothemeans。IneverunderstoodtheScotchcharacterbutontheseoccasions。Iwouldnottake”No”forananswer。IfIhadwantedaplaceundergovernmentorawritershiptoIndia，Icouldhavegotitfromthesameimportunity，andonthesameterms。
ESSAYXII
ONWILL-MAKING
Fewthingsshowthehumancharacterinamoreridiculouslightthanthecircumstanceofwill-making。Itisthelatestopportunitywehaveofexercisingthenaturalperversityofthedisposition，andwetakecaretomakeagooduseofit。Wehusbanditwithjealousy，putitoffaslongaswecan，andthenuseeveryprecautionthattheworldshallbenogainerbyourdeaths。Thislastactofourlivesseldombeliestheformertenorofthemforstupidity，caprice，andunmeaningspite。Allthatweseemtothinkofistomanagemattersso(insettlingaccountswiththosewhoaresounmannerlyastosurviveus)astodoaslittlegood，andtoplagueanddisappointasmanypeople，aspossible。
Manypersonshaveasuperstitiononthesubjectofmakingtheirlastwillandtestament，andthinkthatwheneverythingisreadysignedandsealed，thereisnothingfurtherlefttodelaytheirdeparture。Ihaveheardofaninstanceofonepersonwho，havingafeelingofthiskindonhismind，andbeingteasedintomakinghiswillbythoseabouthim，actuallyfellillwithpureapprehension，andthoughthewasgoingtodieingoodearnest，buthavingexecutedthedeedover-night，awoke，tohisgreatsurprise，thenextmorning，andfoundhimselfaswellaseverhewas。[1]
Anelderlygentlemanpossessedofagoodestateandthesameidlenotion，andwhofoundhimselfinadangerousway，wasanxioustodothispieceofjusticetothosewhoremainedbehindhim，butwhenitcametothepoint，hisheartfailedhim，andhisnervousfanciesreturnedinfullforce。Evenonhisdeath-bedhestillheldbackandwasaversetosignwhathelookeduponashisowndeath-warrant，andjustatthelastgasp，amidsttheanxiouslooksandsilentupbraidingsoffriendsandrelativesthatsurroundedhim，besummonedresolutiontoholdouthisfeeblehand，whichwasguidedbyothers，totracehisname，andhefellback——acorpse！Ifthereisanypressingreasonforit，thatis，ifanyparticularpersonwouldberelievedfromastateofharassinguncertaintyormateriallybenefitedbytheirmakingawill，theoldandinfirm(whodonotliketobeputoutoftheirway)generallymakethisanexcusetothemselvesforputtingitofftotheverylastmoment，probablytillitistoolate；orwherethisissuretomakethegreatestnumberofblankfaces，contrivetogivetheirfriendstheslip，withoutsignifyingtheirfinaldeterminationintheirfavour。Wheresomeunfortunateindividualhasbeenkeptlonginsuspense，whohasbeenperhapssoughtoutforthatverypurpose，andwhomaybeinagreatmeasuredependentonthisasalastresource，itisnearlyacertaintythattherewillbenowilltobefound；notrace，nosigntodiscoverwhetherthepersondyingthusintestateeverhadanyintentionofthesort，orwhytheyrelinquishedit。Thisistobespeakthethoughtsandimaginationsofothersforvictimsafterwearedead，aswellastheirpersonsandexpectationsforhangers-onwhileweareliving。A
celebratedbeautyofthemiddleofthelastcentury，towardsitsclose，soughtoutafemalerelative，thefriendandcompanionofheryouth，whohadlivedduringthefortyyearsoftheirseparationinratherstraitenedcircumstances，andinasituationwhichadmittedofsomealleviations。Twicetheymetafterthatlonglapseoftime——onceherrelationvisitedherinthesplendourofaricholdfamilymansion，andonceshecrossedthecountrytobecomeaninmateofthehumbledwellingofherearlyandonlyremainingfriend。Whatwasthisfor？Wasittorevivetheimageofheryouthinthepaleandcarewornfaceofherfriend？Orwasittodisplaythedecayofhercharmsandrecallherlong-forgottentriumphstothememoryoftheonlypersonwhocouldbearwitnesstothem？Wasittoshowtheproudremainsofherselftothosewhorememberedorhadoftenheardwhatshewas——herskinlikeshrivelledalabaster，heremaciatedfeatureschiselledbyNature”sfinesthand，hereyesthat，whenasmilelightedthemup，stillshonelikediamonds，thevermilionhuesthatstillbloomedamongwrinkles？Wasittotalkofbone-lace，oftheflouncesandbrocadesofthelastcentury，ofrace-ballsintheyear”62，andofthescoresofloversthathaddiedatherfeet，andtosetwholecountiesinaflameagain，onlywithadreamoffadedbeauty？Whetheritwasforthis，orwhethershemeanttoleaveherfriendanything(aswasindeedexpected，allthingsconsidered，notwithoutreason)，nobodyknows——forsheneverbreathedasyllableonthesubjectherself，anddiedwithoutawill。Theaccomplishedcoquetteoftwenty，whohadpamperedhopesonlytokillthem，whohadkindledrapturewithalookandextinguisheditwithabreath，couldfindnobetteremploymentatseventythantorevivethefondrecollectionsandraiseupthedroopinghopesofherkinswomanonlytoletthemfall——torisenomore。Suchisthedelightwehaveintriflingwithandtantalisingthefeelingsofothersbytheexquisiterefinements，thestudiedsleightsofloveorfriendship！
Whereapropertyisactuallybequeathed，supposingthecircumstancesofthecaseandtheusagesofsocietytoleaveapracticaldiscretiontothetestator，itismostfrequentlyinsuchportionsascanbeoftheleastservice。Wherethereismuchalready，muchisgiven；wheremuchiswanted，littleornothing。Povertyinvitesasortofpity，amiserabledoleofassistance；necessity，neglectandscorn；wealthattractsandallurestoitselfmorewealthbynaturalassociationofideasorbythatinnateloveofinequalityandinjusticewhichisthefavouriteprincipleoftheimagination。Menliketocollectmoneyintolargeheapsintheirlifetime；theyliketoleaveitinlargeheapsaftertheyaredead。Theygraspitintotheirownhands，nottouseitfortheirowngood，buttohoard，tolockitup，tomakeanobject，anidol，andawonderofit。Doyouexpectthemtodistributeitsoastodoothersgood；thattheywilllikethosewhocomeafterthembetterthanthemselves；thatiftheywerewillingtopinchandstarvethemselves，theywillnotdeliberatelydefraudtheirswornfriendsandnearestkindredofwhatwouldbeoftheutmostusetothem？No，theywillthrusttheirheapsofgoldandsilverintothehandsofothers(astheirproxies)tokeepforthemuntouched，stillincreasing，stillofnousetoanyone，buttopamperprideandavarice，toglitterinthehuge，watchful，insatiableeyeoffancy，tobedepositedasanewofferingattheshrineofMammon，theirGod，——thisiswiththemtoputittoitsintelligibleandproperuse；thisisfulfillingasacred，indispensableduty；thischeerstheminthesolitudeofthegrave，andthrowsagleamofsatisfactionacrossthestonyeyeofdeath。Buttothinkoffritteringitdown，ofsinkingitincharity，ofthrowingitawayontheidleclaimsofhumanity，whereitwouldnolongerpeerinmonumentalpompovertheirheads，——andthat，too，whenonthepointofdeaththemselves，_inarticulomortis，_oh！itwouldbemadness，waste，extravagance，impiety！——Thusworldlingsfeelandarguewithoutknowingit；andwhiletheyfancytheyarestudyingtheirowninterestorthatofsomeboobysuccessor，their_alteridem，_arebutthedupesandpuppetsofafavouriteidea，aphantom，aprejudice，thatmustbekeptupsomewhere(nomatterwhere)，ifitstillplaysbeforeandhauntstheirimagination，whiletheyhavesenseorunderstandinglefttoclingtotheirdarlingfollies。
Therewasaremarkableinstanceofthistendency_totheheap，_thisdesiretocultivateanabstractpassionforwealth，inawillofoneoftheThelussonssometimeback。Thiswillwenttokeepthegreaterpartofalargepropertyfromtheuseofthenaturalheirsandnext-of-kinforalengthoftime，andtoletitaccumulateatcompoundinterestinsuchawayandsolong，thatitwouldatlastmountupinvaluetothepurchase-moneyofawholecounty。Theinterestaccruingfromthefundedpropertyortherentofthelandsatcertainperiodswastobeemployedtopurchaseotherestates，otherparksandmanorsintheneighbourhoodorfartheroff，sothattheprospectofthefuturedemesnethatwastodevolveatsomedistanttimetotheunbornlordofacresswelledandenlargeditself，likeasea，circlewithoutcircle，vistabeyondvista，tilltheimaginationwasstaggeredandthemindexhausted。Nowherewasaschemefortheaccumulationofwealthandforlayingthefoundationoffamilyaggrandisementpurelyimaginary，romantic——onemightalmostsay，disinterested。Thevagueness，themagnitude，theremotenessoftheobject，theresolutesacrificeofallimmediateandgrossadvantages，clotheitwiththeprivilegesofanabstractidea，sothattheprojecthastheairofafictionorofastoryinanovel。Itwasaninstanceofwhatmightbecalledposthumousavarice，liketheloveofposthumousfame。Ithadlittlemoretodowithselfishnessthanifthetestatorhadappropriatedthesamesumsinthesamewaytobuildapyramid，toconstructanaqueduct，toendowahospital，oreffectanyotherpatrioticormerelyfantasticpurpose。Hewishedtoheapupapileofwealth(millionsofacres)inthedimhorizonoffutureyears，thatcouldbeofnousetohimortothosewithwhomhewasconnectedbypositiveandpersonalties，butasacrotchetofthebrain，agewgawofthefancy。[2]Yettoenablehimselftoputthisschemeinexecution，hehadperhapstoiledandwatchedallhislife，deniedhimselfrest，food，pleasure，liberty，society，andperseveredwiththepatienceandself-denialofamartyr。Ihaveinsistedonthispointthemore，toshowhowmuchoftheimaginaryandspeculativethereisinterfusedeveninthosepassionsandpurposeswhichhavenotthegoodofothersfortheirobject，andhowlittlereasonthishonestcitizenandbuilderofcastlesintheairwouldhavehadtotreatthosewhodevotedthemselvestothepursuitoffame，toobloquyandpersecutionforthesakeoftruthandliberty，orwhosacrificedtheirlivesfortheircountryinajustcause，asvisionariesandenthusiasts，whodidnotunderstandwhatwasproperlyduetotheirowninterestandthesecuringofthemainchance。
Manisnotthecreatureofsenseandselfishness，eveninthosepursuitswhichgrowoutofthatorigin，somuchasofimagination，custom，passion，whim，andhumour。
Ihaveheardofasingularinstanceofawillmadebyapersonwhowasaddictedtoahabitoflying。Hewassonotoriousforthispropensity(notoutofspiteorcunning，butasagratuitousexerciseofinvention)
thatfromachildnoonecouldeverbelieveasyllableheuttered。Fromthewantofanydependencetobeplacedonhim，hebecamethejestandby-wordoftheschoolwherehewasbroughtup。Thelastactofhislifedidnotdisgracehim；for，havinggoneabroad，andfallingintoadangerousdecline，hewasadvisedtoreturnhome。Hepaidallthathewasworthforhispassage，wentonship-board，andemployedafewremainingdaysbehadtoliveinmakingandexecutinghiswill；inwhichhebequeathedlargeestatesindifferentpartsofEngland，moneyinthefunds，richjewels，rings，andallkindsofvaluablestohisoldfriendsandacquaintance，who，notknowinghowfartheforceofnaturecouldgo，werenotforsometimeconvincedthatallthisfairywealthhadneverhadanexistenceanywherebutintheidlecoinageofhisbrain，whosewhimsandprojectswerenomore！——Theextremekeepinginthischaracterisonlytobeaccountedforbysupposingsuchanoriginalconstitutionallevityasmadetruthentirelyindifferenttohim，andtheseriousimportanceattachedtoitbyothersanobjectofperpetualsportandridicule！
Theartofwill-makingchieflyconsistsinbafflingtheimportunityofexpectation。Idonotsomuchfindfaultwiththiswhenitisdoneasapunishmentandobliquesatireonservilityandselfishness。Itisinthatcase_DiamondcutDiamond_——atrialofskillbetweenthelegacy-hunterandthelegacy-maker，whichshallfooltheother。Thecringingtoad-eater，theofficioustale-bearer，isperhapswellpaidforyearsofobsequiousattendancewithabarementionandamourning-ring；
norcanIthinkthatGilBlas”librarywasnotquiteasmuchasthecoxcombryofhispretensionsdeserved。TherearesomeadmirablescenesinBenJonson”s_Volpone，_showingthehumoursofalegacy-hunter，andthedifferentwaysoffobbinghimoffwithexcusesandassurancesofnotbeingforgotten。Yetitishardlyright，afterall，toencouragethiskindofpitiful，barefacedintercoursewithoutmeaningtopayforit，asthecoquettehasnorighttojilttheloversshehastrifledwith。
Flatteryandsubmissionaremarketablecommoditieslikeanyother，havetheirprice，andoughtscarcelytobeobtainedunderfalsepretences。
Ifweseethroughanddespisethewretchedcreaturethatattemptstoimposeonourcredulity，wecanatanytimedispensewithhisservices：
ifwearesoothedbythismockeryofrespectandfriendship，whynotpayhimlikeanyotherdrudge，oraswesatisfytheactorwhoperformsapartinaplaybyourparticulardesire？Butoftenthesepremeditateddisappointmentsareasunjustastheyarecruel，andaremarkedwithcircumstancesofindignity，inproportiontotheworthoftheobject。
Thesuspecting，thetakingitforgrantedthatyournameisdowninthewill，issufficientprovocationtohaveitstruckout：thehintingatanobligation，theconsciousnessofitonthepartofthetestator，willmakehimdeterminedtoavoidtheformalacknowledgmentofitatanyexpense。Thedisinheritingofrelationsismostlyforvenialoffences，notforbaseactions：wepunishoutofpique，torevengesomecaseinwhichwebeendisappointedofourwills，someactofdisobediencetowhathadnoreasonablegroundtogoupon；andweareobstinateinadheringtoourresolution，asitwassuddenandrash，anddoublybentonassertingourauthorityinwhatwehaveleastrighttointerferein。
Itisthewoundinflicteduponourself-love，notthestainuponthecharacterofthethoughtlessoffender，thatcallsforcondignpunishment。Crimes，vicesmaygouncheckedorunnoticed；butitisthelaughingatourweaknesses，orthwartingourhumours，thatisnevertobeforgotten。Itisnottheerrorsofothers，butourownmiscalculations，onwhichwewreakourlastingvengeance。Itisourselvesthatwecannotforgive。InthewillofNicholasGimcrackthevirtuoso，recordedinthe_Tatler，_welearn，amongotheritems，thathiseldestsoniscutoffwithasinglecockleshellforhisundutifulbehaviourinlaughingathislittlesisterwhomhisfatherkeptpreservedinspiritsofwine。Anotherofhisrelationshasacollectionofgrasshoppersbequeathedhim，asinthetestator”sopinionanadequaterewardandacknowledgmentduetohismerit。ThewholewillofthesaidNicholasGimcrack，Esq。，isacuriousdocumentandexactpictureofthemindoftheworthyvirtuosodefunct，wherehisvariousfollies，littlenesses，andquainthumoursaresetforthasorderlyanddistinctashisbutterflies”wingsandcockle-shellsandskeletonsoffleasinglasscases。[3]Weoftensuccessfullytry，inthisway，togivethefinishingstroketoourpictures，hangupourweaknessesinperpetuity，andembalmourmistakesinthememoriesofothers。
Evenfromthetombthevoiceofnaturecries，Eveninourasheslivetheirwontedfires。
Ishallnotspeakhereofunwarrantablecommandsimposeduponsurvivors，bywhichtheyweretocarryintoeffectthesullenandrevengefulpurposesofunprincipledmen，aftertheyhadbreathedtheirlast；butwemeetwithcontinualexamplesofthedesiretokeepupthefarce(ifnotthetragedy)oflifeafterwe，theperformersinit，havequittedthestage，andtohaveourpartsrehearsedbyproxy。Wethusmakeacapriceimmortal，apeculiarityproverbial。Henceweseethenumberoflegaciesandfortunesleftonconditionthatthelegateeshalltakethenameandstyleofthetestator，bywhichdeviceweprovideforthecontinuanceofthesoundsthatformedournames，andendowthemwithanestate，thattheymayberepeatedwithproperrespect。Inthe_MemoirsofanHeiress_allthedifficultiesoftheplotturnonthenecessityimposedbyaclauseinheruncle”swillthatherfuturehusbandshouldtakethefamilynameofBeverley。PoorCecilia！Whatdelicateperplexitiesshewasthrownintobythisimprovidentprovision；andwithwhatminute，endless，intricatedistresseshasthefairauthoressbeenenabledtoharrowupthereaderonthisaccount！TherewasaSirThomasDyotinthereignofCharlesII。wholeftthewholerangeofpropertywhichformsDyotStreet，inSt。Giles”s，andtheneighbourhood，onthesoleandexpressconditionthatitshouldbeappropriatedentirelytothatsortofbuildings，andtothereceptionofthatsortofpopulation，whichstillkeepsundisputed，undividedpossessionofit。ThenamewaschangedtheotherdaytoGeorgeStreetasamoregenteelappellation。
which，Ishouldthink，isanindirectforfeitureoftheestate。ThisSirThomasDyotIshouldbedisposedtoputuponthelistofoldEnglishworthies——ashumane，liberal，andnoflincherfromwhathetookinhishead。Hewasnocommon-placemaninhisline。Hewasthebestcommentatoronthatold-fashionedtext——”Thefoxeshaveholes，andthebirdsoftheairhavenests，buttheSonofmanhathnotwheretolayhishead。”Wefindsomethatarecuriousinthemodeinwhichtheyshallbeburied，andothersintheplace。LordCamelfordhadhisremainsburiedunderanashtreethatgrewononeofthemountainsinSwitzerland；andSirFrancisBourgeoishadalittlemausoleumbuiltforhiminthecollegeatDulwich，whereheoncespentapleasant，jovialdaywiththemastersandwardens。[4]Itis，nodoubt，propertoattend，exceptforstrongreasonstothecontrary，tothesesortofrequests；
forbybreakingfaithwiththedeadweloosentheconfidenceoftheliving。Besides，thereisastrongerargument：wesympathisewiththedeadaswellaswiththeliving，andareboundtothembythemostsacredofallties，ourowninvoluntaryfollow-feelingwithothers！
Thieves，asalastdonation，leaveadvicetotheirfriends，physiciansanostrum，authorsamanuscriptwork，rakesaconfessionoftheirfaithinthevirtueofthesex——all，thelastdrivellingsoftheiregotismandimpertinence。Onemightsupposethatifanythingcould，theapproachandcontemplationofdeathmightbringmentoasenseofreasonandself-knowledge。Onthecontrary，itseemsonlytodeprivethemofthelittlewittheyhad，andtomakethemevenmorethesportoftheirwilfulnessandshortsightedness。Somementhinkthatbecausetheyaregoingtobehanged，theyarefullyauthorisedtodeclareafuturestateofrewardsandpunishments。Alleitherindulgetheircapricesorclingtotheirprejudices。Theymakeadesperateattempttoescapefromreflectionbytakingholdofanywhimorfancythatcrossestheirminds，orbythrowingthemselvesimplicitlyonoldhabitsandattachments。
Anoldmanistwiceachild：thedyingmanbecomesthepropertyofhisfamily。Hehasnochoiceleft，andhisvoluntarypowerismergedinoldsawsandprescriptiveusages。Thepropertywehavederivedfromourkindredrevertstacitlytothem；andnottoletittakeitscourseisasortofviolencedonetonatureaswellascustom。Theideaofproperty，ofsomethingincommon，doesnotmixcordiallywithfriendship，butisinseparablefromnearrelationship。Weoweareturninkind，wherewefeelnoobligationforafavour；andconsignourpossessionstoournext-of-kinasmechanicallyasweleanourheadsonthepillow，andgooutoftheworldinthesamestateofstupidamazementthatwecameintoit！……_Caeteradesunt。_
NOTEStoESSAYXII
[1]ApoorwomanatPlymouthwhodidnotliketheformality，orcouldnotaffordtheexpenseofawill，thoughttoleavewhatlittlepropertyshehadinwearingapparelandhouseholdmoveablestoherfriendsandrelations，_vivavoce_，andbeforeDeathstoppedherbreath。Shegaveandwilledaway(ofherproperauthority)herchairandtabletoone，herbedtoanother，anoldcloaktoathird，anight-capandpetticoattoafourth，andsoon。Theoldcronessatweepinground，andsoonaftercarriedoffalltheycouldlaytheirhandsupon，andlefttheirbenefactresstoherfate。Theywerenosoonergonethansheunexpectedlyrecovered，andsenttohaveherthingsbackagain；butnotoneofthemcouldsheget，andshewasleftwithoutaragtoherback，orafriendtocondolewithher。
[2]Thelawofprimogeniturehasitsoriginintheprincipleherestated，thedesireofperpetuatingsomeonepalpableandprominentproofofwealthandpower。
[3]Itisasfollows：”TheWillofaVirtuoso。
I，NicholasGimcrack，beinginsoundHealthofMind，butingreatWeaknessofBody，dobythismyLastWillandTestamentbequeathmyworldlyGoodsandChattelsinMannerfollowing：——
Imprimis，TomydearWife，OneBoxofButterflies，OneDrawerofShells，AFemaleSkeleton，ADriedCockatrice。
Item，TomyDaughterElizabeth，MyReceiptforpreservingdeadCaterpillars，AsalsomyPreparationsofWinterMay-Dew，andEmbrioPickle。
Item，tomylittleDaughterFanny，ThreeCrocodiles”Eggs。
AndupontheBirthofherfirstChild，ifshemarrieswithherMother”sConsent，TheNestofaHummingBird。
Item，TomyeldestBrother，asanacknowledgmentfortheLandshehasvestedinmySonCharles，IbequeathMylastYear”sCollectionofGrasshoppers。
Item，TohisDaughterSusanna，beinghisonlyChild，IbequeathmyEnglishWeedspastedonRoyalPaper，WithmylargeFolioofIndianCabbage。
HavingfullyprovidedformyNephewIsaac，bymakingovertohimsomeyearssinceAhornedSearaboeus，TheSkinofaRattle-Snake，andTheMummyofanEgyptianKing，ImakenofurtherProvisionforhiminthismyWill。
IMyeldestSonJohnhavingspokendisrespectfullyofhislittleSister，whomIkeepbymeinSpiritsofWine，andinmanyotherInstancesbehavedhimselfundutifullytowardsme，Idodisinherit，andwhollycutofffromanyPartofthismyPersonalEstate，bygivinghimasingleCockle-Shell。
TomySecondSonCharles，IgiveandbequeathallmyFlowers，Plants，Minerals，Mosses，Shells，Pebbles，Fossils，Beetles，Butterflies，Caterpillars，Grasshoppers，andVermin，notabovespecified：AsalsomyMonsters，bothwetanddry，makingthesaidCharleswholeandsoleExecutorofthismyLastWillandTestament，hepayingorcausingtobepaidtheaforesaidLegacieswithintheSpaceofSixMonthsaftermyDecease。AndIdoherebyrevokeallotherWillswhatsoeverbymeformerlymade。”——_Tatler，_vol。iv。No。216。
[4]KellermanlatelylefthishearttobeburiedinthefieldofValmy，wherethefirstgreatbattlewasfoughtintheyear1792，inwhichtheAllieswererepulsed。Oh！mightthatheartprovetherootfromwhichthetreeofLibertymayspringupandflourishoncemore，asthebasiltreegrewandgrewfromthecherishedheadofIsabella”slover！
ESSAYXIII
ONCERTAININCONSISTENCIESINSIRJOSHUAREYNOLDS”SDISCOURSES
ThetwochiefpointswhichSirJoshuaaimsatinhis_Discourses_aretoshowthatexcellenceintheFineArtsistheresultofpainsandstudyratherthanofgenius，andthatallbeauty，grace，andgrandeuraretobefound，notinactualnature，butinanideaexistinginthemind。Onboththesepointsheappearstohavefallenintoconsiderableinconsistenciesorverygreatlatitudeofexpression，soastomakeitdifficulttoknowwhatconclusiontodrawfromhisvariousreasonings。
IshallattemptlittlemoreinthisEssaythantobringtogetherseveralpassagesthat，fromtheircontradictoryimport，seemtoimplysomeradicaldefectinSirJoshua”stheory，andadoubtastothepossibilityofplacinganimplicitrelianceonhisauthority。
Tobeginwiththefirstofthesesubjects，thequestionoforiginalgenius。IntheSecondDiscourse，”OntheMethodofStudy”SirJoshuaobservestowardstheend：”Thereisoneprecept，however，inwhichIshallonlybeopposedbythevain，theignorant，andtheidle。IamnotafraidthatIshallrepeatittoooften。Youmusthavenodependenceonyourowngenius。Ifyouhavegreattalents，industrywillimprovethem：ifyouhavebutmoderateabilities，industrywillsupplytheirdeficiency。Nothingisdeniedtowell-directedlabour；nothingistobeobtainedwithoutit。Nottoenterintometaphysicaldiscussionsonthenatureoressenceofgenius，Iwillventuretoassertthatassiduityunabatedbydifficulty，andadispositioneagerlydirectedtotheobjectofitspursuit，willproduceeffectssimilartothosewhichsomecalltheresultof_naturalpowers。”_
Theonlytendencyofthemaximherelaiddownseemstobetolurethosestudentsonwiththehopesofexcellencewhohavenochanceofsucceeding，andtodeterthosewhohavefromrelyingontheonlypropandsourceofrealexcellence——thestrongbentandimpulseoftheirnaturalpowers。Industryalonecanonlyproducemediocrity；butmediocrityinartisnotworththetroubleofindustry。Genius，greatnaturalpowers，willgiveindustryandardourinthepursuitoftheirproperobject，butnotifyoudivertthemfromthatobjectintothetrammelsofcommon-placemechanicallabour。Bythismethodyouneutralisealldistinctionofcharacter——makeapedantoftheblockheadandadrudgeofthemanofgenius。What，forinstance，wouldhavebeentheeffectofpersuadingHogarthorRembrandttoplacenodependenceontheirowngenius，andtoapplythemselvestothegeneralstudyofthedifferentbranchesoftheartandofeverysortofexcellence，withaconfidenceofsuccessproportionedtotheirmisguidedefforts，buttodestroyboththosegreatartists？”Youtakemyhousewhenyoudotakethepropthatdothsustainmyhouse！”Youunderminethesuperstructureofartwhenyoustrikeatitsmainpillarandsupport，confidenceandfaithinnature。Wemightaswelladviseapersonwhohaddiscoveredasilveroraleadmineonhisestatetocloseitup，orthecommonfarmertoploughupeveryacreherentsinthehopeofdiscoveringhiddentreasure，asadvisethemanoforiginalgeniustoneglecthisparticularveinforthestudyofrulesandtheimitationofothers，ortrytopersuadethemanofnostrongnaturalpowersthathecansupplytheirdeficiencybylaboriousapplication。SirJoshuasoonafter，intheThirdDiscourse，alludingtotheterms，_inspiration，genius，gusto，_
appliedbycriticsandoratorstopainting，proceeds：”SuchisthewarmthwithwhichboththeAncientsandModernsspeakofthisdivineprincipleoftheart；but，asIhaveformerlyobserved，enthusiasticadmirationseldompromotesknowledge。Thoughastudentbysuchpraisemayhavehisattentionrousedandadesireexcitedofrunninginthisgreatcareer，yetitispossiblethatwhathasbeensaidtoexcitemayonlyservetodeterhim。Heexamineshisownmind，andperceivestherenothingofthatdivineinspirationwithwhich，heistold，somanyothershavebeenfavoured。Henevertravelledtoheaventogathernewideas；andhefindshimselfpossessedofnootherqualificationsthanwhatmerecommonobservationandaplainunderstandingcanconfer。Thushebecomesgloomyamidstthesplendouroffigurativedeclamation，andthinksithopelesstopursueanobjectwhichhesupposesoutofthereachofhumanindustry。”
Yetpresentlyafterheadds：”Itisnoteasytodefineinwhatthisgreatstyleconsists；nortodescribebywordsthepropermeansofacquiringit，_ifthemindofthestudentshouldbeatallcapableofsuchanacquisition。_Couldweteachtasteorgeniusbyrules，theywouldbenolongertasteandgenius。”
Here，then，SirJoshuaadmitsthatitisaquestionwhetherthestudentislikely_tobeatallcapableofsuchanacquisition_asthehigherexcellenciesofart，thoughhehadsaidinthepassagejustquotedabovethatitiswithinthereachofconstantassiduityandofadispositioneagerlydirectedtotheobjectofitspursuittoeffectallthatisusuallyconsideredastheresultofnaturalpowers。Isthetheorywhichourauthormeanstoinculcateameredelusion，amerearbitraryassumption？AtonemomentSirJoshuaattributesthehopelessnessofthestudenttoattainperfectiontothediscouraginginfluenceofcertainfigurativeandoverstrainedexpressions，andinthenextdoubtshiscapacityforsuchanacquisitionunderanycircumstances。Wouldhehavehimhopeagainsthope，then？Ifhe”examineshisownmindandfindsnothingthereofthatdivineinspirationwithwhichheistoldsomanyothershavebeenfavoured”butwhichhehasneverfelthimself；if”hefindshimselfpossessedofnootherqualifications”forthehighesteffortsofgeniusandimagination”thanwhatmerecommonobservationandaplainunderstandingcanconfer”bemayaswelldesistatoncefrom”ascendingthebrightestheavenofinvention”：——iftheveryideaofthedivinityofartdetersinsteadofanimatinghim，iftheenthusiasmwithwhichothersspeakofitdampstheflameinhisownbreast，hehadbetternotenterintoacompetitionwherehewantsthefirstprincipleofsuccess，thedaringtoaspireandthehopetoexcel。Hemaybeassuredheisnottheman。SirJoshuahimselfwasnotstruckatfirstbythesightofthemasterpiecesofthegreatstyleofart，andheseemsunconsciouslytohaveadoptedthistheorytoshowthathemightstillhavesucceededinitbutforwantofdueapplication。Hishypothesisgoestothis——tomakethecommonrunofhisreadersfancytheycandoallthatcanbedonebygenius，andtomakethemailofgeniusbelievehecanonlydowhatistobedonebymechanicalrulesandsystematicindustry。Thisisnotaveryfeasiblescheme；norisSirJoshuasufficientlyclearandexplicitinhisreasoninginsupportofit。
InspeakingofCarloMaratti，heconfessestheinefficiencyofthisdoctrineinaveryremarkablemanner：——”CarloMarattisucceededbetterthanthoseIhavefirstnamed，andI
thinkoweshissuperioritytotheextensionofhisviews：besideshismasterAndreaSacchi，heimitatedRaffaelle，Guido，andtheCaraccis。
Itistrue，thereisnothingverycaptivatinginCarloMaratti；butthisproceededfromawantwhichcannotbecompletelysupplied；thatis，wantofstrengthofparts。_Inthiscertainlymenarenotequal；_andamancanbringhomewaresonlyinproportionwiththecapitalwithwhichhegoestomarket。Carlo，bydiligence，madethemostofwhathehad；buttherewasundoubtedlyaheavinessabouthim，whichextendeditselfuniformlytohisinvention，expression，hisdrawing，colouring，andthegeneraleffectofhispictures。Thetruthis，heneverequalledanyofhispatternsinanyonething，andheaddedlittleofhisown。”
Here，then，Reynolds，wesee，fairlygivesuptheargument。Carlo，afterall，wasaheavyhand；norcouldallhisdiligenceandhismakingthemostofwhathehadmakeupforthewantof”naturalpowers。”SirJoshua”sgoodsensepointedouttohimthetruthintheindividualinstance，thoughhemightbeledastraybyavaguegeneraltheory。
Such，however，istheeffectofafalseprinciplethatthereisanevidentbiasintheartist”smindtomakegeniusleanuponothersforsupport，insteadoftrustingtoitselfanddevelopingitsownincommunicableresources。SointreatingintheTwelfthDiscourseofthewayinwhichgreatartistsareformed，SirJoshuarevertsverynearlytohisfirstposition：”ThedailyfoodandnourishmentofthemindofanArtistisfoundinthegreatworksofhispredecessors。Thereisnootherwayforhimtobecomegreathimself。_Serpens，nigiserpentemcomederit，nonfitdraco。_Raffaelle，asappearsfromwhathasbeensaid，hadcarefullystudiedtheworksofMasaccio，andindeedtherewasnoother，ifweexceptMichaelAngelo(whomhelikewiseimitated)，[1]soworthyofhisattention；andthoughhismannerwasdryandhard，hiscompositionsformal，andnotenoughdiversified，accordingtothecustomofPaintersinthatearlyperiod，yethisworkspossessthatgrandeurandsimplicitywhichaccompany，andevensometimesproceedfrom，regularityandhardnessofmanner。Wemustconsiderthebarbarousstateoftheartsbeforehistime，whenskillindrawingwassolittleunderstood，thatthebestofthepainterscouldnotevenforeshortenthefoot，buteveryfigureappearedtostanduponhistoes，andwhatservedfordraperyhad，fromthehardnessandsmallnessofthefolds，toomuchtheappearanceofcordsclingingroundthebody。Hefirstintroducedlargedrapery，flowinginaneasyandnaturalmanner；indeed，heappearstobethefirstwhodiscoveredthepaththatleadstoeveryexcellencetowhichtheartafterwardsarrived，andmaythereforebejustlyconsideredasoneoftheGreatFathersofModernArt。”ThoughIhavebeenledontoalongerdigressionrespectingthisgreatpainterthanIintended，yetIcannotavoidmentioninganotherexcellencewhichhepossessedinaveryeminentdegree：hewasasmuchdistinguishedamonghiscontemporariesforhisdiligenceandindustry_ashewasforthenaturalfacultiesofhismind。_Wearetoldthathiswholeattentionwasabsorbedinthepursuitofhisart，andthatheacquiredthenameofMasacciofromhistotaldisregardtohisdress，hisperson，andallthecommonconcernsoflife。Heisindeed_asignalinstanceofwhatwell-directeddiligence_willdoinashorttime：helivedbuttwenty-sevenyears，yetinthatshortspacecarriedtheartsofarbeyondwhatithadbeforereached，thatheappearstostandaloneasamodelforhissuccessors。Vasarigivesalongcatalogueofpaintersandsculptorswhoformedtheirtasteandlearnedtheirartbystudyinghisworks；amongthose，henamesMichaelAngelo，LeonardodaVinci，PietroPerugino，Raffaelle，Bartholomeo，AndreadelSarto，IlRosso，andPierinodelVaga。”
SirJoshuahereagainhaltsbetweentwoopinions。HetellsusthenamesofthepainterswhoformedthemselvesuponMasaccio”sstyle：hedoesnottellusonwhomheformedhimself。Atonetimethenaturalfacultiesofhismindwereasremarkableashisindustry；atanotherhewasonlyasignalinstanceofwhatwell-directeddiligencewilldoinashorttime。
Thenagain，”heappearstohavebeenthefirstwhodiscoveredthepaththatleadstoeveryexcellencetowhichtheArtafterwardsarrived”
thoughheisintroducedinanargumenttoshowthat”thedailyfoodandnourishmentofthemindoftheArtistmustbefoundintheworksofhispredecessors。”Thereissomethingsurelyverywaveringandunsatisfactoryinallthis。
SirJoshua，inanotherpartofhiswork，endeavourstoreconcileandpropupthesecontradictionsbyaparadoxicalsophismwhichIthinkturnsuponhimself。Hesays：”Iamonthecontrarypersuaded，thatbyimitationonly”(bywhichhehasjustexplainedhimselftomeanthestudyofothermasters)，”variety，andevenoriginalityofinventionisproduced。Iwillgofurther：evengenius，atleast，whatissocalled，isthechildofimitation。Butasthisappearstobecontrarytothegeneralopinion，ImustexplainmypositionbeforeIenforceit。”Geniusissupposedtobeapowerofproducingexcellencieswhichareoutofthereachoftherulesofart：apowerwhichnopreceptscanteach，andwhichnoindustrycanacquire。”Thisopinionoftheimpossibilityofacquiringthosebeautieswhichstamptheworkwiththecharacterofgenius，supposesthatitissomethingmorefixedthaninrealityitis，andthatwealwaysdoandeverdidagreeinopinionwithrespecttowhatshouldbeconsideredasthecharacteristicofgenius。Butthetruthis，thatthe_degree_ofexcellencewhichproclaims_Genius_isdifferentindifferenttimesanddifferentplaces；andwhatshowsittobesois，thatmankindhaveoftenchangedtheiropinionuponthismatter。”WhentheArtswereintheirinfancy，thepowerofmerelydrawingthelikenessofanyobjectwasconsideredasoneofitsgreatestefforts。
Thecommonpeople，ignorantoftheprinciplesofart，talkthesamelanguageeventothisday。Butwhenitwasfoundthateverymancouldbetaughttodothis，andagreatdealmore，merelybytheobservanceofcertainprecepts，thenameofGeniusthenshifteditsapplication，andwasgivenonlytohimwhoaddedthepeculiarcharacteroftheobjectherepresented——tohimwhohadinvention，expression，grace，ordignity；inshort，thosequalitiesorexcellencies，thepowerofproducingwhichcouldnot_then_betaughtbyanyknownandpromulgatedrules。”Weareverysurethatthebeautyofform，theexpressionofthepassions，theartofcomposition，eventhepowerofgivingageneralairofgrandeurtoawork，isatpresentverymuchunderthedominionofrules。Theseexcellencieswereheretoforeconsideredmerelyastheeffectsofgenius；andjustly，ifgeniusisnottakenforinspiration，butastheeffectofcloseobservationandexperience。”
SirJoshuabeganwithundertakingtoshowthat”geniuswasthechildoftheimitationofothers，andnowitturnsoutnottobeinspirationindeed，buttheeffectofcloseobservationandexperience。”Thewholedriftofthisargumentappearstobecontrarytowhatthewriterintended，fortheobviousinferenceisthattheessenceofgeniusconsistsentirely，bothinkindanddegree，inthesinglecircumstanceoforiginality。Theverysamethingsareorarenotgenius，accordingastheyproceedfrominventionorfrommereimitation。Insofarasathingisoriginal，asithasneverbeendonebefore，itacquiresanditdeservestheappellationofgenius：insofarasitisnotoriginal，andisborrowedfromothersortaughtbyrule，itisnot，neitherisitcalled，genius。Thisdoesnotmakemuchforthesuppositionthatgeniusisatraditionalandsecond-handquality。Because，forexample，amanwithoutmuchgeniuscancopyapictureofMichaelAngelo”s，doesitfollowthattherewasnogeniusintheoriginaldesign，orthattheinventorandcopyistareequal？Ifindeed，asSirJoshualabourstoprove，mereimitationofexistingmodelsandattentiontoestablishedrulescouldproduceresultsexactlysimilartothoseofnaturalpowers，iftheprogressofartasalearnedprofessionwereagradualbutcontinualaccumulationofindividualexcellence，insteadofbeingasuddenandalmostmiraculousstarttothehighestbeautyandgrandeurnearlyatfirst，andaregulardeclensiontomediocrityeverafter，thenindeedthedistinctionbetweengeniusandimitationwouldbelittleworthcontendingfor；thecausesmightbedifferent，theeffectswouldbethesame，orratherskilltoavailourselvesofexternaladvantageswouldbeofmoreimportanceandefficacythanthemostpowerfulinternalresources。Butasthecasestands，allthegreatworksofarthavebeentheoffspringofindividualgenius，eitherprojectingitselfbeforethegeneraladvancesofsocietyorstrikingoutaseparatepathforitself；
alltherestisbutlabourinvain。Foreverypurposeofemulationorinstructionwegobacktotheoriginalinventors，nottothosewhoimitated，and，asitisfalselypretended，improvedupontheirmodels：
orifthosewhofollowedhaveatanytimeattainedashigharankorsurpassedtheirpredecessors，itwasnotfromborrowingtheirexcellencies，butbyunfoldingnewandexquisitepowersoftheirown，ofwhichthemovingprinciplelayintheindividualmind，andnotinthestimulusaffordedbypreviousexampleandgeneralknowledge。Greatfaults，itistrue，maybeavoided，butgreatexcellenciescanneverbeattainedinthisway。IfSirJoshua”shypothesisofprogressiverefinementinartwasanythingmorethanaverbalfallacy，whydoeshegobacktoMichaelAngeloastheGodofhisidolatry？WhydoeshefindfaultwithCarloMarattiforbeingheavy？Orwhydoeshedeclareasexplicitlyastruly，that”thejudgment，afterithasbeenlongpassive，bydegreeslosesitspowerofbecomingactivewhenexertionisnecessary”？——OncemoretopointoutthefluctuationinSirJoshua”snotionsonthissubjectoftheadvantagesofnaturalgeniusandartificialstudy，hesays，whenrecommendingtheproperobjectsofambitiontotheyoungartist：”Myadviceinawordisthis：keepyourprincipalattentionfixeduponthehigherexcellencies。Ifyoucompassthem，andcompassnothingmore，youarestillinthefirstclass。Wemayregrettheinnumerablebeautieswhichyoumaywant；youmaybeveryimperfect，butstillyouareanimperfectartistofthehighestorder。”
ThisistheFifthDiscourse。IntheSeventhourartistseemstowaver，andflingsadoubtonhisformerdecision，whereby”itlosessomecolour。””Indeedperfectioninaninferiorstylemaybereasonablypreferredtomediocrityinthehighestwalksofart。AlandscapeofClaudeLorraine_may_[2]bepreferredtoahistorybyLucaGiordano：buthenceappearsthenecessityoftheconnoisseur”sknowinginwhatconsiststheexcellencyofeachclass，inordertojudgehownearitapproachestoperfection。”
Asheadvances，however，hegrowsbolder，andaltogetherdiscardshistheoryofjudgingoftheartistbytheclasstowhichhebelongs——”Butwehavethesanctionofallmankind”hesays，”inpreferringgeniusinalowerrankofarttofeeblenessandinsipidityinthehighest。”ThisisinspeakingofGainsborough。Thewholepassageisexcellent，and，I
shouldthink，conclusiveagainstthegeneralandfactitiousstyleofartonwhichheinsistssomuchatothertimes。”Onthisground，howeverunsafe，Iwillventuretoprophesy，thattwoofthelastdistinguishedpaintersofthatcountry，ImeanPompeioBattoniandRafaelleMengs，howevergreattheirnamesmayatpresentsoundinourears，[3]willverysoonfallintotherankofImperiale，SebastianConcha，PlacidoConstanza，Musaccio，andtherestoftheirimmediatepredecessors；whosenames，thoughequallyrenownedintheirlifetime，arenowfallenintowhatislittleshortoftotaloblivion。IdonotsaythatthosepainterswerenotsuperiortotheartistIalludeto，[4]
andwhoselosswelament，inacertainroutineofpractice，which，totheeyesofcommonobservers，hastheairofalearnedcomposition，andbearsasortofsuperficialresemblancetothemannerofthegreatmenwhowentbeforethem。Iknowthisperfectlywell；butIknowlikewise，thatamanlookingforrealandlastingreputationmustunlearnmuchofthecommon-placemethodsoobservableintheworksoftheartistswhomI
havenamed。Formyownpart，Iconfess，Itakemoreinterestinandammorecaptivatedwiththepowerfulimpressionofnature，whichGainsboroughexhibitedinhisportraitsandinhislandscapes，andtheinterestingsimplicityandeleganceofhislittleordinarybeggar-children，thanwithanyoftheworksofthatschool，sincethetimeofAndreaSacchi，orperhapswemaysayCarloMaratti：twopainterswhomaytrulybesaidtobeULTIMIROMANORUM。”IamwellawarehowmuchIlaymyselfopentothecensureandridiculeoftheacademicalprofessorsofothernationsinpreferringthehumbleattemptsofGainsboroughtotheworksofthoseregulargraduatesinthegreathistoricalstyle。_Butwehavethesanctionofallmankindinpreferringgeniusinalowerrankofarttofeeblenessandinsipidityinthehighest。”_
Yetthisexcellentartistandcritichadsaidbutafewpagesbeforewhenworkinguponhistheory——”ForthisreasonIshallbegleavetolaybeforeyouafewthoughtsonthesubject；tothrowoutsomehintsthatmayleadyourmindstoanopinion(whichItaketobethetrueone)thatPaintingisnotonlynottobeconsideredasanimitationoperatingbydeception，butthatitis，andoughttobe，inmanypointsofviewandstrictlyspeaking，noimitationatallofexternalnature。Perhapsitoughttobeasfarremovedfromthevulgarideaofimitationastherefined，civilisedstateinwhichweliveisremovedfromagrossstateofnature；andthosewhohavenotcultivatedtheirimaginations，whichthemajorityofmankindcertainlyhavenot，maybesaid，inregardtoarts，tocontinueinthisstateofnature。Suchmenwillalwayspreferimitation”(theimitationofnature)”tothatexcellencewhichisaddressedtoanotherfacultythattheydonotpossess；butthesearenotthepersonstowhomapainteristolook，anymorethanajudgeofmoralsandmannersoughttorefercontrovertedpointsuponthosesubjectstotheopinionsofpeopletakenfromthebanksoftheOhioorfromNewHolland。”
Inoppositiontothesentimenthereexpressedthat”Paintingisandoughttobe，inmanypointsofviewandstrictlyspeaking，noimitationatallofexternalnature”itisemphaticallysaidinanotherplace：”Natureisandmustbethefountainwhichaloneisinexhaustible，andfromwhichallexcellencesmustoriginallyflow。”
Icannotundertaketoreconcilesomanycontradictions，nordoIthinkitaneasytaskforthestudenttoderiveanysimpleorintelligiblecluefromtheseconflictingauthoritiesandbrokenhintsintheprosecutionofhisart。SirJoshuaappearstohaveimbibedfromothers(BurkeorJohnson)aspuriousmetaphysicalnotionthatartwastobepreferredtonature，andlearningtogenius，withwhichhisowngoodsenseandpracticalobservationwerecontinuallyatwar，butfromwhichheonlyemancipateshimselfforamomenttorelapseintothesameerroragainshortlyafter。[5]TheconclusionoftheTwelfthDiscourseis，I
think，however，atriumphantandunanswerabledenunciationofhisownfavouriteparadoxontheobjectsandstudyofart。”Thoseartists”(hesayswithastrainofeloquenttruth)”whohavequittedtheserviceofnature(whoseservice，whenwellunderstood，isperfectfreedom)andhaveputthemselvesunderthedirectionofIknownotwhatcapriciousfantasticalmistress，whofascinatesandoverpowerstheirwholemind，andfromwhosedominiontherearenohopesoftheirbeingeverreclaimed(sincetheyappearperfectlysatisfied，andnotatallconsciousoftheirforlornsituation)，likethetransformedfollowersofComus，Notonceperceivetheirfouldisfigurement；
Butboastthemselvesmorecomelythanbefore。”Methinkssuchmenwhohavefoundoutsoshortapathhavenoreasontocomplainoftheshortnessoflifeandtheextentofart；sincelifeissomuchlongerthaniswantedfortheirimprovement，orisindeednecessaryfortheaccomplishmentoftheirideaofperfection。[6]Onthecontrary，hewhorecurstonature，ateveryrecurrencerenewshisstrength。Therulesofartheisneverlikelytoforget；theyarefewandsimple：butNatureisrefined，subtle，andinfinitelyvarious，beyondthepowerandretentionofmemory；itisnecessarythereforetohavecontinualrecoursetoher。Inthisintercoursethereisnoendofhisimprovement：thelongerhelives，thenearerheapproachestothetrueandperfectideaofArt。”
NOTEStoESSAYXIII
[1]HowcarefulisSirJoshua，eveninaparenthesis，toinsinuatetheobligationsofthisgreatgeniustoothers，asifhewouldhavebeennothingwithoutthem。
[2]IfSirJoshuahadanoffertoexchangeaLucaGiordanoinhiscollectionforaClaudeLorraine，hewouldnothavehesitatedlongaboutthepreference。
[3]Writtenin1788。
[4]Gainsborough。
[5]SirJoshuahimselfwantedacademicskillandpatienceInthedetailsofhisprofession。Fromthesedefectsheseemstohavebeenalternatelyrepelledbyeachtheoryandstyleofart，thesimplynaturalandelaboratelyscientific，asitcamebeforehim；andinhisimpatienceofeach，tohavebeenbetrayedintoatissueofinconsistenciessomewhatdifficulttounravel。
[6]HehadbeenbeforespeakingofBoucher，DirectoroftheFrenchAcademy，whotoldhimthat”whenhewasyoung，studyinghisart，hefounditnecessarytousemodels，butthathehadleftthemoffformanyyears。”
ESSAYXIV
THESAMESUBJECTCONTINUED
ThefirstinquirywhichrunsthroughSirJoshuaReynolds”sDiscoursesiswhetherthestudentoughttolookatnaturewithhisowneyesorwiththeeyesofothers，andonthewhole，heapparentlyinclinestothelatter。Thesecondquestioniswhatistobeunderstoodbynature；
whetheritisageneralandabstractidea，oranaggregateofparticulars；andhestrenuouslymaintainstheformerofthesepositions。
Yetitisnoteasyalwaystodeterminehowfarorwithwhatpreciselimitationshedoesso。
Thefirstgermofhisspeculationsonthissubjectistobefoundintwopapersinthe_Idler。_Inthelastparagraphofthesecondofthese，hesays：”Ifithasbeenprovedthatthepainter，byattendingtotheinvariableandgeneralideasofnature，producesbeauty，hemust，byregardingminuteparticularitiesandaccidentaldiscrimination，deviatefromtheuniversalrule，andpollutehiscanvaswithdeformity。”
Inanswertothis，Iwouldsaythatdeformityisnotthebeingvariedintheparticulars，inwhichallthingsdiffer(foronthisprincipleallnature，whichismadeupofindividuals，wouldbeaheapofdeformity)，butinviolatinggeneralrules，inwhichtheyalloralmostallagree。
Thustherearenotwonosesintheworldexactlyalike，orwithoutagreatvarietyofsubordinateparts，whichmaystillbehandsome，butafacewithoutanynoseatall，oranose(likethatofamask)withoutanyparticularityinthedetails，wouldbeagreatdeformityinartornature。SirJoshuaseemstohavebeenledintohisnotionsonthissubjecteitherbyanambiguityofterms，orbytakingonlyoneviewofnature。Hesupposesgrandeur，orthegeneraleffectofthewhole，toconsistinleavingouttheparticulardetails，becausethesedetailsaresometimesfoundwithoutanygrandeurofeffect，andhethereforeconceivesthetwothingstobeirreconcilableandthealternativesofeachother。Thisisveryimperfectreasoning。Ifthemereleavingoutthedetailconstitutedgrandeur，anyonecoulddothis：thegreatestdauberwouldatthatratebethegreatestartist。AhouseorsignpaintermightinstantlyenterthelistswithMichaelAngelo，andmightlookdownonthelittle，dry，hardmannerofRaphael。Butgrandeurdependsonadistinctprincipleofitsown，notonanegationoftheparts；andasitdoesnotarisefromtheiromission，soneitherisitincompatiblewiththeirinsertionorthehighestfinishing。Infact，anartistmaygivetheminuteparticularsofanyobjectonebyoneandwiththeutmostcare，andtotallyneglecttheproportions，arrangement，andgeneralmasses，onwhichtheeffectofthewholemoreimmediatelydepends；orhemaygivethelatter，viz。theproportionsandarrangementofthelargerpartsandthegeneralmassesoflightandshade，andleavealltheminuterpartsofwhichthosepartsarecomposedamereblotch，onegeneralsmear，likethefirstcrudeandhastygettinginofthegroundworkofapicture：hemaydoeitherofthese，orhemaycombineboth，thatis，finishtheparts，butputthemintheirrightplaces，andkeeptheminduesubordinationtothegeneraleffectandmassingofthewhole。Iftheexclusionofthepartswerenecessarytothegrandeurofthewholecomposition，ifthemoreentirethisexclusion，ifthemorelikea_tabularasa，_avague，undefined，shadowyandabstractedrepresentationthepicturewas，thegreaterthegrandeur，therecouldbenodangerofpushingthisprincipletoofar，andgoingthefulllengthofSirJoshua”stheorywithoutanyrestrictionsormentalreservations。Butneitherofthesesuppositionsistrue。Thegreatestgrandeurmaycoexistwiththemostperfect，naywithamicroscopicaccuracyofdetail，asweseeitdoesofteninnature：thegreatestloosenessandslovenlinessofexecutionmaybedisplayedwithoutanygrandeuratalleitherintheoutlineordistributionofthemassesofcolour。ToexplainmoreparticularlywhatImean。IhaveseenandcopiedportraitsbyTitian，inwhichtheeyebrowsweremarkedwithanumberofsmallstrokes，likehairlines(indeed，thehairsofwhichtheywerecomposedwereinagreatmeasuregiven)——butdidthisdestroythegrandeurofexpression，thetruthofoutline，arisingfromthearrangementofthesehair-linesinagivenform？Thegrandeur，thecharacter，theexpressionremained，forthegeneralformorarchedandexpandedoutlineremained，justasmuchasifithadbeendaubedinwithablacking-brush：theintroductionoftheinternalpartsandtextureonlyaddeddelicacyandtruthtothegeneralandstrikingeffectofthewhole。Surelyanumberofsmalldotsorlinesmaybearrangedintotheformofasquareoracircleindiscriminately；thesquareorcircle，thatis，thelargerfigure，remainsthesame，whetherthelineofwhichitconsistsisbrokenorcontinuous；aswemayseeinprintswheretheoutlines，features，andmassesremainthesameinallthevarietiesofmezzotinto，dottedandlinedengraving。IfTitianinmarkingtheappearanceofthehairshadderangedthegeneralshapeandcontouroftheeyebrows，hewouldhavedestroyedthelookofnature；butashedidnot，butkeptbothinview，heproportionablyimprovedhiscopyofit。
So，inwhatregardsthemassesoflightandshade，thevariety，thedelicatetransparencyandbrokentransitionsofthetintsisnotinconsistentwiththegreatestbreadthorboldestcontrasts。Ifthelight，forinstance，isthrownstronglyononesideofaface，andtheotheriscastintodeepshade，lettheindividualandvariouspartsofthesurfacebefinishedwiththemostscrupulousexactnessbothinthedrawingandinthecolours，providednatureisnotexceeded，thiswillnotnorcannotdestroytheforceandharmonyofthecomposition。Onesideofthefacewillstillhavethatgreatandleadingdistinctionofbeingseeninshadow，andtheotherofbeingseeninthelight，letthesubordinatedifferencesbeasmanyandaspreciseastheywill。Supposeapantherispaintedinthesun：willitbenecessarytoleaveoutthespotstoproducebreadthandthegreatstyle，orwillnotthisbedonemoreeffectuallybypaintingthespotsofonesideofhisshaggycoatastheyareseeninthelight，andthoseoftheotherastheyreallyappearinnaturalshadow？Thetwomassesarethuspreservedcompletely，andnooffenceisdonetotruthandnature。Otherwiseweresolvethedistributionoflightandshadeinto_localcolouring。_Themasses，thegrandeurexistequallyinexternalnaturewiththelocaldifferencesofdifferentcolours。YetSirJoshuaseemstoarguethatthegrandeur，theeffectofthewholeobject，isconfinedtothegeneralideainthemind，andthatallthelittlenessandindividualityisinnature。Thisisanessentiallyfalseviewofthesubject。Thisgrandeur，thisgeneraleffect，isindeedalwayscombinedwiththedetails，orwhatourtheoreticalreasonerwoulddesignateas_littleness_innature：andsoitoughttobeinart，asfarasartcanfollownaturewithprudenceandprofit。WhatisthefaultofDenner”sstyle？——Itis，thathedoes_not_
givethiscombinationofproperties：thathegivesonlyoneviewofnature；thatheabstractsthedetails，thefinishing，thecuriositiesofnaturalappearancesfromthegeneralresult，truth，andcharacterofthewhole，andinfinishingeverypartwithelaboratecare，totallylosessightofthemoreimportantandstrikingappearanceoftheobjectasitpresentsitselftousinnature。Hegiveseverypartofaface；buttheshape，theexpression，thelightandshadeofthewholeiswrong，andasfarascanbefromwhatisnatural。Hegivesaninfinitevarietyoftintsofthehumanface，noraretheysubjectedtoanyprincipleoflightandshade。HeisdifferentfromRembrandtorTitian。TheEnglishschools，formedonSirJoshua”stheory，giveneitherthefinishingofthepartsnortheeffectofthewhole，butaninexplicabledumbmasswithoutdistinctionormeaning。TheydonotdoasDennerdid，andthinkthatnottodoashedidistodoasTitianandRembrandtdid；Idonotknowwhethertheywouldtakeitasacomplimenttobesupposedtoimitatenature。Somefewartists，itmustbesaid，have”oflatereformedthisindifferentlyamongus！Oh！letthemreformitaltogether！”Ihavenodoubttheywouldiftheycould；butIhavesomedoubtswhethertheycanornot——BeforeIproceedtoconsiderthequestionofbeautyandgrandeurasitrelatestotheselectionofform，IwillquoteafewpassagesfromSirJoshuawithreferencetowhathasbeensaidontheimitationofparticularobjects。IntheThirdDiscourseheobserves：”Iwillnowaddthatnatureherselfisnottobetoocloselycopied……Amerecopierofnature_canneverproduceanythinggreat；canneverraiseandenlargetheconceptions，orwarmtheheartofthespectator。_Thewishofthegenuinepaintermustbemoreextensive：insteadofendeavouringtoamusemankindwiththeminuteneatnessofhisimitations，hemustendeavourtoimprovethembythegrandeurofhisideas；insteadofseekingpraisebydeceivingthesuperficialsenseofthespectator，hemuststriveforfamebycaptivatingtheimagination。”
Fromthispassageitwouldsurelyseemthattherewasnothinginnaturebutminuteneatnessandsuperficialeffect：nothinggreatin_her_
style，foranimitatorofitcanproducenothinggreat；nothing”toenlargetheconceptionsorwarmtheheartofthespectator。”
Whatwordhathpassedthylips，Adamsevere！
Allthatistrulygrandorexcellentisafigmentoftheimagination，avapidcreationoutofnothing，apureeffectofoverlookingandscorningtheminuteneatnessofnaturalobjects。Thiswillnotdo。Again，SirJoshualaysitdownwithoutanyqualificationthat——”Thewholebeautyandgrandeuroftheartconsistsinbeingabletogetaboveallsingularforms，localcustoms，peculiarities，and_details_ofeverykind。”
Yetwefindhimacknowledgingadifferentopinion。”Iamveryreadytoallow”(hesays，inspeakingofhistory-painting)”that_some_circumstancesofminutenessandparticularity_frequently_
tendtogiveanairoftruthtoapiece，and_tointerestthespectatorinanextraordinarymanner。_Suchcircumstancesthereforecannotwhollyberejected；butiftherebeanythingintheArtwhichrequirespeculiarnicetyofdiscernment，itisthedispositionoftheseminute，circumstantialparts，which，accordingtothejudgmentemployedinthechoice，becomesousefultotruthorsoinjurioustograndeur。”
That”strue；butthesweepingclauseagainst”allparticularitiesanddetailsofeverykind”isclearlygotridof。TheundecidedstateofSirJoshua”sfeelingsonthissubjectoftheincompatibilitybetweenthewholeandthedetailsisstrikinglymanifestedintwoshortpassageswhichfolloweachotherinthespaceoftwopages。SpeakingofsomepicturesofPaulVeroneseandRubensasdistinguishedbythedexterityandtheunityofstyledisplayedinthem，headds：”Itisbythis，andthisalone，thatthemechanicalpowerisennobled，andraisedmuchaboveitsnaturalrank。Anditappearstomethatwithproprietyitacquiresthischaracter，asaninstanceofthatsuperioritywithwhichmindpredominatesovermatter，bycontractingintoonewholewhatnaturehasmademultifarious。”
Thiswouldimplythattheprincipleofunityandintegrityisonlyinthemind，andthatnatureisaheapofdisjointed，disconnectedparticulars，achaosofpointsandatoms。Intheverynextpagethefollowingsentenceoccurs：”Aspaintingisanart，they”(theignorant)”thinktheyoughttobepleasedinproportionastheyseethatartostentatiouslydisplayed；
theywillfromthissuppositionpreferneatness，highfinishing，andgaudycorlouring，tothetruth，simplicity，andunityofnature。”
Before，neatnessandhighfinishingweresupposedtobelongexclusivelytothelittlenessofnature，butheretruth，simplicity，andunityarehercharacteristics。Soonafter，SirJoshuasays：”Ishouldbesorryifwhathasbeensaidshouldbeunderstoodtohaveanytendencytoencouragethatcarelessnesswhichleavesworkinanunfinishedstate。I
commendnothingforthewantofexactness；Imeantopointoutthatkindofexactnesswhichisthebest，andwhichisalonetrulytobesoesteemed。”ThisSirJoshuahasalreadytoldusconsistsingettingabove”allparticularitiesanddetailsofeverykind。”Oncemorewefinditstatedthat——”Itisinvaintoattendtothevariationoftints，ifinthatattentionthegeneralhueoffleshislost；ortofinisheversominutelytheparts，ifthemassesarenotobserved，orthewholenotwellputtogether。”
Nothingcanbetruer；butwhyalwayssupposethetwothingsatvariancewitheachother？”Titian”smannerwasthennewtotheworld，butthatunshakentruthonwhichitisfoundedhasfixeditasamodeltoallsucceedingpainters；
andthosewhowillexamineintotheartificewillfindittoconsistinthepowerofgeneralising，andintheshortnessandsimplicityofthemeansemployed。”
Titian”srealexcellenceconsistedinthepowerofgeneralisingandof_individualising_atthesametime：ifitworemerelytheformer，itwouldbedifficulttoaccountfortheerrorimmediatelyafterpointedoutbySirJoshua。Hesaysintheverynextparagraph：”Manyartists，asVasarilikewiseobserves，haveignorantlyimaginedtheyareimitatingthemannerofTitianwhentheyleavetheircoloursroughandneglectthedetail；butnotpossessingtheprinciplesonwhichhewrought，theyhaveproducedwhathecalls_goffepitture_——absurd，foolishpictures。”
ManyartistshavealsoimaginedtheywerefollowingthedirectionsofSirJoshuawhentheydidthesamething，thatis，neglectedthedetail，andproducedthesameresults——vapidgeneralities，absurd，foolishpictures。
Iwillonlygivetwoshortpassagesmore，andhavedonewiththispartofthesubject。IamanxioustoconfrontSirJoshuawithhisownauthority：”Theadvantageofthismethodofconsideringobjects(asawhole)iswhatIwishnowmoreparticularlytoenforce。AtthesametimeIdonotforgetthatapaintermusthavethepowerofcontractingaswellasdilatinghissight；becausehethatdoesnotatallexpressparticularsexpressesnothing；yetitiscertainthatanicediscriminationofminutecircumstancesandapunctiliousdelineationofthem，whateverexcellenceitmayhave(andIdonotmeantodetractfromit)，neverdidconferontheartistthecharacterofGenius。”
Atpage53wefindthefollowingwords：”Whetheritisthehumanfigure，ananimal，oreveninanimateobjects，thereisnothing，howeverunpromisinginappearance。butmayberaisedintodignity，conveysentiment。andproduceemotion，inthehandsofaPainterofgenius。WhatwassaidofVirgil，thathethreweventhedungaboutthegroundwithanairofdignity，maybeappliedtoTitian；
whateverhetouched，howevernaturallymean，andhabituallyfamiliar，byakindofmagicheinvestedwithgrandeurandimportance。”——No，notbymagic，butbyseekingandfindinginindividualnature，andcombinedwithdetailsofeverykind，thatgraceandgrandeurandunityofeffectwhichSirJoshuasupposestobeamerecreationoftheartist”sbrain！
Titian”spracticewas，Iconceive，togivegeneralappearanceswithindividualformsandcircumstances：SirJoshua”stheorygoestoooften，andinitsprevailingbias，toseparatethetwothingsasinconsistentwitheachother，andtherebytodestroyorbringintoquestionthatunionofstrikingeffectwithaccuracyofresemblanceinwhichtheessenceofsoundart(asfarasrelatestoimitation)consists。
