Butmanyothershavebeenlesssuccessful。Therearethosewhobuildtheirfameonepigramsorepitaphs，andotherswhodevotetheirlivestowritingtheLord”sPrayerinlittle。Somepoetscomposeandsingtheirownverses。Whichcharacterwouldtheyhaveusthinkmosthighlyof——thepoetorthemusician？TheGreatisOne。SometherearewhofeelmoreprideinsealingaletterwithaheadofHomerthaneverthatoldblindbarddidinrecitinghis_Iliad。_Theseraiseahugeopinionofthemselvesoutofnothing，astherearethosewhoshrinkfromtheirownmeritsintotheshadeofunconquerablehumility。Iknowonepersonatleast，whowouldratherbetheauthorofanunsuccessfulfarcethanofasuccessfultragedy。Repeatedmortificationhasproducedaninvertedambitioninhismind，andmadefailurethebittertestofdesert。Hecannotlifthisdroopingheadtogazeonthegaudycrownofpopularityplacedwithinhisreach，butcastsapensive，rivetedlookdownwardstothemodestflowerswhichthemultitudetrampleundertheirfeet。Ifhehadapiecelikelytosucceed，comingoutunderalladvantages，hewoulddamnitbysomeill-timed，wilfuljest，andlosethefavourofthepublic，topreservethesenseofhispersonalidentity。”Misfortune”Shakespearsays，”bringsamanacquaintedwithstrangebedfellows”；anditmakesourthoughtstraitorstoourselves——Itisamaximwithmany——_”Takecareofthepence，andthepoundswilltakecareofthemselves。”_Thoseonlyputitinpracticesuccessfullywhothinkmoreofthepencethanofthepounds。Tosuch，alargesumislessthanasmallone。Greatspeculations，greatreturnsaretothemextravagantorimaginary：afewhundredsayeararesomethingsnugandcomfortable。Personswhohavebeenusedtoapetty，hucksteringwayoflifecannotenlargetheirapprehensionstoanotionofanythingbetter。Insteadoflaunchingoutintogreaterexpenseandliberalitywiththetideoffortune，theydrawbackwiththefearofconsequences，andthinktosucceedonabroaderscalebydintofmeannessandparsimony。MyuncleTobyfrequentlycaughtTrimstandingupbehindhischair，whenhehadtoldhimtobeseated。Whatthecorporaldidoutofrespect，otherswoulddooutofservility。Themenialcharacterdoesnotwearoutinthreeorfourgenerations。Youcannotkeepsomepeopleoutofthekitchen，merelybecausetheirgrandfathersorgrandmotherscameoutofit。ApoormanandhiswifewalkingalongintheneighbourhoodofPortlandPlace，hesaidtoherpeevishly，”Whatistheuseofwalkingalongthesefinestreetsandsquares？Letusturndownsomealley！”Hefeltheshouldbemoreathomethere。Lambsaidofanoldacquaintanceofhis，thatwhenhewasyounghewantedtobeatailor，buthadnotspirit！Thisisthemiseryofunequalmatches。Thewomancannoteasilyforget，orthinkthatothersforget，herorigin；and，withperhapssuperiorsenseandbeauty，keepspainfullyinthebackground。Itisworsewhenshebravesthisconsciousfeeling，anddisplaysalltheinsolenceoftheupstartandaffectedfinelady。Butshouldstthouever，myInfelice，gracemyhomewiththylovedpresence，asthouhastcheeredmyhopeswiththysmile，thouwiltconquerallheartswiththyprevailinggentleness，andIwillshowtheworldwhatShakespear”swomenwere！——Somegallantssettheirheartsonprincesses；othersdescendinimaginationtowomenofquality；
othersaremadafteropera-singers。Formypart，Iamshyevenofactresses，andshouldnotthinkofleavingmycardwithMadameVestris。
Iamfornoneofthese_bonnesfortunes；_butforalistofhumblebeauties，servant-maidsandshepherd-girls，withtheirredelbows，hardhands，blackstockingsandmob-caps，IcouldfurnishoutagalleryequaltoCowley”s，andpaintthemhalfaswell。Oh！mightIbutattemptadescriptionofsomeoftheminpoeticprose，DonJuanwouldforgethisJulia，andMr。Davisonmightbothprintandpublishthisvolume。I
agreesofarwithHorace，anddifferwithMontaigne。IadmiretheClementinasandClarissasatadistance：thePamelasandFannysofRichardsonandFieldingmakemybloodtingle。Ihavewrittenlove-letterstosuchinmytime，_d”unpathetiqueafairefendrelesrochers，_andwithaboutasmucheffectasiftheyhadbeenaddressedtostone。Thesimpletonsonlylaughed，andsaidthat”thosewerenotthesortofthingstogaintheaffections。”IwishIhadkeptcopiesinmyownjustification。Whatisworse，Ihaveanutteraversiontoblue-stockings。Idonotcareafigforanywomanthatknowsevenwhatanauthormeans。IfIknowthatshehasreadanythingIhavewritten，I
cutheracquaintanceimmediately。Thissortofliteraryintercoursewithmepassesfornothing。Hercriticalandscientificacquirementsare_carryingcoalstoNewcastle。_IdonotwanttobetoldthatIhavepublishedsuchorsuchawork。Iknewallthisbefore。Itmakesnoadditiontomysenseofpower。Idonotwishtheaffairtobebroughtaboutinthatway。Iwouldhaveherreadmysoul：sheshouldunderstandthelanguageoftheheart：sheshouldknowwhatIam，asifshewereanotherself！Sheshouldlovemeformyselfalone。Ilikemyselfwithoutanyreason：Iwouldhaveherdosotoo。Thisisnotveryreasonable。Iabstractfrommytemptationstoadmireallthecircumstancesofdress，birth，breeding，fortune；andIwouldnotwillinglyputforwardmyownpretensions，whatevertheymaybe。Theimageofsomefaircreatureisengravenonmyinmostsoul；itisonthatIbuildmyclaimtoherregard，andexpecthertoseeintomyheart，asIseeherformalwaysbeforeme。Wherevershetreads，paleprimroses，likeherface，vernalhyacinths，likeherbrow，springupbeneathherfeet，andmusichangsoneverybough；butalliscold，barren，anddesolatewithouther。ThusIfeel，andthusIthink。ButhaveIovertoldherso？No。OrifIdid，wouldsheunderstandit？No。I”huntthewind，Iworshipastatue，cryaloudtothedesert。”Toseebeautyisnottobebeautiful，topineinloveisnottobelovedagain——I
alwayswasinclinedtoraiseandmagnifythepowerofLove。Ithoughtthathissweetpowershouldonlybeexertedtojointogethertheloveliestformsandfondesthearts；thatnonebutthoseinwhomhisgodheadshoneoutwardly，andwasinlyfelt，shouldeverpartakeofhistriumphs；andIstoodandgazedatadistance，asunworthytomingleinsobrightathrong，anddidnot(evenforamoment)wishtotarnishthegloryofsofairavisionbybeingmyselfadmittedintoit。Isaythiswasmynotiononce，butGodknowsitwasoneoftheerrorsofmyyouth。
Forcomingnearertolook，Isawthemaimed，theblind，andthehaltenterin，thecrookedandthedwarf，theugly，theoldandimpotent，themanofpleasureandthemanoftheworld，thedapperandthepert，thevainandshallowboaster，thefoolandthepedant，theignorantandbrutal，andallthatisfarthestremovedfromearth”sfairest-born，andtheprideofhumanlife。SeeingalltheseenterthecourtsofLove，andthinkingthatIalsomightventureinunderfavourofthecrowd，butfindingmyselfrejected，Ifancied(Imightbewrong)thatitwasnotsomuchbecauseIwasbelow，asabovethecommonstandard。Ididfeel，butIwasashamedtofeel，mortifiedatmyrepulse，whenIsawthemeanestofmankind，theveryscumandrefuse，allcreepingthingsandeveryobscenecreature，enterinbeforeme。Iseemedaspeciesbymyself，I
tookaprideeveninmydisgrace；andconcludedIhadelsewheremyinheritance！TheonlythingIeverpiquedmyselfuponwasthewritingthe_EssayonthePrinciplesofHumanAction_——aworkthatnowomaneverread，orwouldevercomprehendthemeaningof。ButifIdonotbuildmyclaimtoregardonthepretensionsIhave，howcanIbuilditonthoseI
amtotallywithout？OrwhydoIcomplainandexpecttogathergrapesofthorns，orfigsofthistles？Thoughthasinmecancelledpleasure；andthisdarkforehead，bentupontruth，istherockonwhichallaffectionhassplit。AndthusIwastemylifeinonelongsigh；norever(tilltoolate)beheldagentlefaceturnedgentlyuponmine！……Butno！
nottoolate，ifthatface，pure，modest，downcast，tender，withangelsweetness，notonlygladdenstheprospectofthefuture，butshedsitsradianceonthepast，smilingintears。Apurplelighthoversroundmyhead。Theairofloveisintheroom。AsIlookatmylong-neglectedcopyoftheDeathofClorinda，goldengleamsplayuponthecanvas，astheyusedwhenIpaintedit。TheflowersofHopeandJoyspringingupinmymind，recallthetimewhentheyfirstbloomedthere。Theyearsthatarefledknockatthedoorandenter。IamintheLouvreoncemore。ThesunofAusterlitzhasnotset。Itstillshineshere——inmyheart；andhe，thesonofglory，isnotdead，norevershall，tome。I
amaswhenmylifebegan。Therainbowisintheskyagain。Iseetheskirtsofthedepartedyears。AllthatIhavethoughtandfelthasnotbeeninvain。Iamnotutterlyworthless，unregarded；norshallIdieandwitherofpurescorn。NowcouldIsitonthetombofLiberty，andwriteaHymntoLove。Oh！ifIamdeceived，letmebedeceivedstill。
LetmeliveintheElysiumofthosesoftlooks；poisonmewithkisses，killmewithsmiles；butstillmockmewiththylove！[4]
Poetschoosemistresseswhohavethefewestcharms，thattheymaymakesomethingoutofnothing。Theysucceedbestinfiction，andtheyapplythisruletolove。Theymakeagoddessofanydowdy。AsDonQuixotesaid，inanswertothematter-of-factremonstrancesofSancho，thatDulcineadelTobosoansweredthepurposeofsignalisinghisvalourjustaswellasthe”fairestprincessundersky”soanyofthefairsexwillservethemtowriteaboutjustaswellasanother。Theytakesomeawkwardthinganddressherupinfinewords，aschildrendressupawoodendollinfineclothes。Perhapsafineheadofhair，ataperwaist，orsomeothercircumstancestrikesthem，andtheymaketherestoutaccordingtotheirfancies。Theyhaveawonderfulknackofsupplyingdeficienciesinthesubjectsoftheiridolatryoutofthestorehouseoftheirimaginations。Theypresentlytranslatetheirfavouritestotheskies，wheretheyfigurewithBerenice”slocksandAriadne”scrown。Thispredilectionfortheunprepossessingandinsignificant，Itaketoarisenotmerelyfromadesireinpoetstohavesomesubjecttoexercisetheirinventivetalentsupon，butfromtheirjealousyofanypretensions(eventhoseofbeautyintheothersex)thatmightinterferewiththecontinualincenseofferedtotheirpersonalvanity。
CardinalMazarineneverthoughtanythingofCardinaldeRetzafterhetoldhimthathehadwrittenforthelastthirtyyearsofhislifewiththesamepen。SomeItalianpoetgoingtopresentacopyofversestothePope，andfinding，ashewaslookingthemoverinthecoachashewent，amistakeofasingleletterintheprinting，brokehisheartofvexationandchagrin。Astillmoreremarkablecaseofliterarydisappointmentoccursinthehistoryofacountrymanofhis，whichI
cannotrefrainfromgivinghere，asIfinditrelated。”AnthonyCodrusUrceus，amostlearnedandunfortunateItalian，bornnearModena，1446，wasastrikinginstance”sayshisbiographer，”ofthemiseriesmenbringuponthemselvesbysettingtheiraffectionsunreasonablyontrifles。ThislearnedmanlivedatForli，andhadanapartmentinthepalace。Hisroomwassoverydarkthathewasforcedtouseacandleinthedaytime；andoneday，goingabroadwithoutputtingitout，hislibrarywassetonfire，andsomepaperswhichhehadpreparedforthepresswereburned。Theinstanthewasinformedofthisillnewshewasaffectedeventomadness。Heranfuriouslytothepalace，andstoppingatthedoorofhisapartment，hecriedaloud，ChristJesus！whatmightycrimehaveIcommitted！whomofyourfollowershaveIeverinjured，thatyouthusragewithinexpiablehatredagainstme？“ThenturninghimselftoanimageoftheVirginMarynearathand，“Virgin(sayshe)，hearwhatIhavetosay，forIspeakinearnest，andwithacomposedspirit：
ifIshallhappentoaddressyouinmydyingmoments，Ihumblyentreatyounottohearme，norreceivemeintoHeaven，forIamdeterminedtospendalleternityinHell！“Thosewhoheardtheseblasphemousexpressionsendeavouredtocomforthim；butalltonopurpose：for，thesocietyofmankindbeingnolongersupportabletohim，heleftthecity，andretired，likesavage，tothedeepsolitudeofawood。Somesaythathewasmurderedtherebyruffians：others，thathediedatBolognain1500，aftermuchcontritionandpenitence。”
Perhapsthecensurepassedattheoutsetoftheanecdoteonthisunfortunatepersonisunfoundedandsevere，whenitissaidthathebroughthismiseriesonhimself”byhavingsethisaffectionsunreasonablyontrifles。”Toothersitmightappearso；buttohimselfthelabourofawholelifewashardlyatrifle。Hispassionwasnotacauselessone，thoughcarriedtosuchfranticexcess。ThestoryofSirIsaacNewtonpresentsastrongcontrasttothelast-mentionedone，who，ongoingintohisstudyandfindingthathisdogTrayhadthrowndownacandleonthetable，andburntsomepapersofgreatvalue，contentedhimselfwithexclaiming，”Ah！Tray，youdon”tknowthemischiefyouhavedone！”Manypersonswouldnotforgivetheoverturningacupofchocolatesosoon。
Irememberhearinganinstancesomeyearsagoofamanofcharacterandproperty，whothroughunexpectedlosseshadbeencondemnedtoalongandheartbreakingimprisonment，whichheborewithexemplaryfortitude。Attheendoffouryears，bytheinterestandexertionsoffriends，heobtainedhisdischarge，witheveryprospectofbeginningtheworldafresh，andhadmadehisarrangementsforleavinghisirksomeabode，andmeetinghiswifeandfamilyatadistanceoftwohundredmilesbyacertainday。Owingtothemiscarriageofaletter，somesignaturenecessarytothecompletionofthebusinessdidnotarriveintime，andonaccountoftheinformalitywhichhadthusarisen，hecouldnotsetouthometillthereturnofthepost，whichwasfourdayslonger。Hisspiritcouldnotbrookthedelay。Hehadwoundhimselfuptothelastpitchofexpectation；hehad，asitwere，calculatedhispatiencetoholdouttoacertainpoint，andthentothrowdownhisloadforever，andhecouldnotfindresolutiontoresumeitforafewhoursbeyondthis。Heputanendtotheintolerableconflictofhopeanddisappointmentinafitofexcruciatinganguish。Woesthatwehavetimetoforeseeandleisuretocontemplatebreaktheirforcebybeingspreadoveralargersurfaceandborneatintervals；butthosethatcomeuponussuddenly，forhowevershortatime，seemtoinsultusbytheirunnecessaryanduncalled-forintrusion；andtheveryprospectofrelief，whenheldoutandthenwithdrawnfromus，tohoweversmalladistance，onlyfretsimpatienceintoagonybytantalisingourhopesandwishes；
andtorendasunderthethinpartitionthatseparatesusfromourfavouriteobject，wearereadytobursteventhefettersoflifeitself！
Iamnotawarethatanyonehasdemonstratedhowitisthatastrongercapacityisrequiredfortheconductofgreataffairsthanofsmallones。Theorgansofthemind，likethepupiloftheeye，maybecontractedordilatedtoviewabroaderoranarrowersurface，andyetfindsufficientvarietytooccupyitsattentionineach。Thematerialuniverseisinfinitelydivisible，andsoisthetextureofhumanaffairs。Wetakethingsinthegrossorinthedetail，accordingtotheoccasion。IthinkIcouldassoongetupthebudgetofWaysandMeansforthecurrentyear，asbesureofmakingbothendsmeet，andpayingmyrentatquarter-dayinapaltryhuckster”sshop。Greatobjectsmoveonbytheirownweightandimpulse；greatpowerturnsasidepettyobstacles；andhewhowieldsitisoftenbutthepuppetofcircumstances，liketheflyonthewheelthatsaid，”Whatadustweraise！”Itiseasiertoruinakingdomandaggrandiseone”sownprideandprejudicesthantosetupagreengrocer”sstall。Anidiotoramadmanmaydothisatanytime，whosewordislaw，andwhosenodisfate。Nay，hewhoselookisobedience，andwhounderstandsthesilentwishesofthegreat，mayeasilytrampleonthenecksandtreadoutthelibertiesofamightynation，deridingtheirstrength，andhatingitthemorefromaconsciousnessofhisownmeanness。Powerisnotwisdom，itistrue；butitequallyensuresitsownobjects。Itdoesnotexact，butdispenseswithtalent。Whenamancreatesthispower，ornew-mouldsthestatebysagecounselsandboldenterprises，itisadifferentthingfromoverturningitwiththeleversthatareputintohisbabyhands。
Ingeneral，however，itmaybearguedthatgreattransactionsandcomplicatedconcernsaskmoregeniustoconductthemthansmallerones，forthisreason，viz。thatthemindmustbeableeithertoembraceagreatervarietyofdetailsinamoreextensiverangeofobjects，ormusthaveagreaterfacultyofgeneralising，oragreaterdepthofinsightintorulingprinciples，andsocomeattrueresultsinthatway。
Buonapartekneweverything，eventothenamesofourcadetsintheEastIndiaservice；buthefailedinthis，thathedidnotcalculatetheresistancewhichbarbarismmakestorefinement。HethoughtthattheRussianscouldnotburnMoscow，becausetheParisianscouldnotburnParis。TheFrenchthinkeverythingmustbeFrench。TheCossacks，alas！
donotconformtoetiquette：therudenessoftheseasonsknowsnorulesofpoliteness！Someartiststhinkitatestofgeniustopaintalargepicture；andIgrantthetruthofthisposition，ifthelargepicturecontainsmorethanasmallone。Itisnotthesizeofthecanvas，butthequantityoftruthandnatureputintoit，thatsettlesthepoint。
Itisamistake，commonenoughonthissubject，tosupposethataminiatureismorefinishedthananoil-picture。Theminiatureisinferiortotheoil-pictureonlybecauseitislessfinished，becauseitcannotfollownatureintosomanyindividualandexactparticulars。Theproofofwhichis，thatthecopyofagoodportraitwillalwaysmakeahighlyfinishedminiature(seeforexampleMr。Bone”senamels)，whereasthecopyofagoodminiature，ifenlargedtothesizeoflife，willmakebutaverysorryportrait。Severalofourbestartists，whoarefondofpaintinglargefigures，invertthisreasoning。Theymakethewholefiguregigantic，notthattheymayhaveroomfornature，butforthemotionoftheirbrush(asiftheywerepaintingthesideofahouse)，regardingtheextentofcanvastheyhavetocoverasanexcusefortheirslovenlyandhastymannerofgettingoverit；andthus，infact，leavetheirpicturesnothingatlastbutovergrownminiatures，buthugecaricatures。Itisnotnecessaryinanycase(eitherinalargerorasmallercompass)togointothedetails，soastolosesightoftheeffect，anddecompoundthefaceintoporousandtransparentmolecules，inthemannerofDenner，whopaintedwhathesawthroughamagnifying-glass。Thepainter”seyeneednotbeamicroscope，butI
contendthatitshouldbealooking-glass，bright，clear，lucid。The_little_inartbeginswithinsignificantparts，withwhatdoesnottellinconnectionwithotherparts。Thetrueartistwillpaintnotmaterialpoints，but_moralqualities。_Inaword，whereverthereisfeelingorexpressioninamuscleoravein，thereisgrandeurandrefinementtoo——Iwillconcludetheseremarkswithanaccountofthemannerinwhichtheancientsculptorscombinedgreatandlittlethingsinsuchmatters。”ThatthenameofPhidias”saysPliny，”isillustriousamongallthenationsthathaveheardofthefameoftheOlympianJupiter，noonedoubts；butinorderthatthosemayknowthatheisdeservedlypraisedwhohavenotevenseenhisworks，weshallofferafewarguments，andthoseofhisgeniusonly：nortothispurposeshallweinsistonthebeautyoftheOlympianJupiter，noronthemagnitudeoftheMinervaatAthens，thoughitistwenty-sixcubitsinheight(aboutthirty-fivefeet)，andismadeofivoryandgold；butweshallrefertotheshield，onwhichthebattleoftheAmazonsiscarvedontheouterside；ontheinsideofthesameisthefightoftheGodsandGiants；andonthesandals，thatbetweentheCentaursandLapithae；sowelldideverypartofthatworkdisplaythepowersoftheart。Again，thesculpturesonthepedestalhecalledthebirthofPandora：therearetobeseeninnumberthirtygods，thefigureofVictorybeingparticularlyadmirable：thelearnedalsoadmirethefiguresoftheserpentandthebrazensphinx，writhingunderthespear。Thesethingsarementioned，inpassing，ofanartistneverenoughtobecommended，thatitmaybeseenthatheshowedthesamemagnificenceeveninsmallthings。”[5]
NOTEStoESSAYVII
[1]ThisEssaywaswritteninJanuary1821。
[2]Losinggamestersthusbecomedesperate，becausethecontinuedandviolentirritationofthewillagainstarunofillluckdrivesittoextremity，andmakesitbiddefiancetocommonsenseandeveryconsiderationofprudenceorself-interest。
[3]Someofthepoetsinthebeginningofthelastcenturywouldoftensetoutonasimilebyobserving，”SoinArabiahaveIseenaPhoenix！”
Iconfessmyillustrationsareofamorehomelyandhumblenature。
[4]Ibegthereadertoconsiderthispassagemerelyasaspecimenofthemock-heroicstyle，andashavingnothingtodowithanyrealfactsorfeelings。
[5]Pliny”s_NaturalHistory，_Book36。
ESSAYVIII
ONFAMILIARSTYLE
Itisnoteasytowriteafamiliarstyle。Manypeoplemistakeafamiliarforavulgarstyle，andsupposethattowritewithoutaffectationistowriteatrandom。Onthecontrary，thereisnothingthatrequiresmoreprecision，and，ifImaysosay，purityofexpression，thanthestyleIamspeakingof。Itutterlyrejectsnotonlyallunmeaningpomp，butalllow，cantphrases，andloose，unconnected，_slipshod_allusions。Itisnottotakethefirstwordthatoffers，butthebestwordincommonuse；itisnottothrowwordstogetherinanycombinationsweplease，buttofollowandavailourselvesofthetrueidiomofthelanguage。TowriteagenuinefamiliarortrulyEnglishstyleistowriteasanyonewouldspeakincommonconversationwhohadathoroughcommandandchoiceofwords，orwhocoulddiscoursewithease，force，andperspicuity，settingasideallpedanticandoratoricalflourishes。Or，togiveanotherillustration，towritenaturallyisthesamethinginregardtocommonconversationastoreadnaturallyisinregardtocommonspeech。Itdoesnotfollowthatitisaneasythingtogivethetrueaccentandinflectiontothewordsyouutter，becauseyoudonotattempttoriseabovethelevelofordinarylifeandcolloquialspeaking。Youdonotassume，indeed，thesolemnityofthepulpit，orthetoneofstage-declamation；neitherareyouatlibertytogabbleonataventure，withoutemphasisordiscretion，ortoresorttovulgardialectorclownishpronunciation。
Youmuststeeramiddlecourse。Youaretieddowntoagivenandappropriatearticulation，whichisdeterminedbythehabitualassociationsbetweensenseandsound，andwhichyoucanonlyhitbyenteringintotheauthor”smeaning，asyoumustfindtheproperwordsandstyletoexpressyourselfbyfixingyourthoughtsonthesubjectyouhavetowriteabout。Anyonemaymouthoutapassagewithatheatricalcadence，orgetuponstiltstotellhisthoughts；buttowriteorspeakwithproprietyandsimplicityisamoredifficulttask。Thusitiseasytoaffectapompousstyle，touseawordtwiceasbigasthethingyouwanttoexpress：itisnotsoeasytopitchupontheverywordthatexactlyfitsit。Outofeightortenwordsequallycommon，equallyintelligible，withnearlyequalpretensions，itisamatterofsomenicetyanddiscriminationtopickouttheveryonethepreferablenessofwhichisscarcelyperceptible，butdecisive。ThereasonwhyIobjecttoDr。Johnson”sstyleisthatthereisnodiscrimination，noselection，novarietyinit。Heusesnonebut”tall，opaquewords”takenfromthe”firstrowoftherubric”——wordswiththegreatestnumberofsyllables，orLatinphraseswithmerelyEnglishterminations。Ifafinestyledependedonthissortofarbitrarypretension，itwouldbefairtojudgeofanauthor”selegancebythemeasurementofhiswordsandthesubstitutionofforeigncircumlocutions(withnopreciseassociations)
forthemother-tongue。[1]Howsimpleisittobedignifiedwithoutcase，tobepompouswithoutmeaning！Surelyitisbutamechanicalruleforavoidingwhatislow，tobealwayspedanticandaffected。ItisclearyoucannotuseavulgarEnglishwordifyouneveruseacommonEnglishwordatall。Afinetactisshowninadheringtothosewhichareperfectlycommon，andyetneverfallingintoanyexpressionswhicharedebasedbydisgustingcircumstances，orwhichowetheirsignificationandpointtotechnicalorprofessionalallusions。Atrulynaturalorfamiliarstylecanneverbequaintorvulgar，forthisreason，thatitisofuniversalforceandapplicability，andthatquaintnessandvulgarityariseoutoftheimmediateconnectionofcertainwordswithcoarseanddisagreeableorwithconfinedideas。Thelastformwhatweunderstandby_cant_or_slang_phrases——Togiveanexampleofwhatisnotveryclearinthegeneralstatement，Ishouldsaythatthephrase_Tocutwithaknife，_or_Tocutapieceofwood，_isperfectlyfreefromvulgarity，becauseitisperfectlycommon；but_tocutanacquaintance_isnotquiteunexceptionable，becauseitisnotperfectlycommonorintelligible，andhashardlyyetescapedoutofthelimitsofslangphraseology。Ishouldhardly，therefore，usethewordinthissensewithoutputtingitinitalicsasalicenseofexpression，tobereceived_cumgranosalis。_Allprovincialorbye-phrasescomeunderthesamemarkofreprobation——allsuchasthewritertransferstothepagefromhisfiresideoraparticular_coterie，_orthatheinventsforhisownsoleuseandconvenience。Iconceivethatwordsarelikemoney，nottheworseforbeingcommon，butthatitisthestampofcustomalonethatgivesthemcirculationorvalue。Iamfastidiousinthisrespect，andwouldalmostassooncointhecurrencyoftherealmascounterfeittheKing”sEnglish。Ineverinventedorgaveanewandunauthorisedmeaningtoanywordbutonesingleone(theterm_impersonal_appliedtofeelings)，andthatwasinanabstrusemetaphysicaldiscussiontoexpressaverydifficultdistinction。Ihavebeen(Iknow)loudlyaccusedofrevellinginvulgarismsandbrokenEnglish。Icannotspeaktothatpoint；butsofarIpleadguiltytothedetermineduseofacknowledgedidiomsandcommonellipticalexpressions。
Iamnotsurethatthecriticsinquestionknowtheonefromtheother，thatis，candistinguishanymediumbetweenformalpedantryandthemostbarbaroussolecism。AsanauthorIendeavourtoemployplainwordsandpopularmodesofconstruction，as，wereIachapmananddealer，Ishouldcommonweightsandmeasures。
Theproperforceofwordsliesnotinthewordsthemselves，butintheirapplication。Awordmaybeafine-soundingword，ofanunusuallength，andveryimposingfromitslearningandnovelty，andyetintheconnectioninwhichitisintroducedmaybequitepointlessandirrelevant。Itisnotpomporpretension，buttheadaptationoftheexpressiontotheidea，thatclenchesawriter”smeaning：——asitisnotthesizeorglossinessofthematerials，buttheirbeingfittedeachtoitsplace，thatgivesstrengthtothearch；orasthepegsandnailsareasnecessarytothesupportofthebuildingasthelargertimbers，andmoresothanthemereshowy，unsubstantialornaments。Ihateanythingthatoccupiesmorespacethanitisworth。Ihatetoseealoadofbandboxesgoalongthestreet，andIhatetoseeaparcelofbigwordswithoutanythinginthem。Apersonwhodoesnotdeliberatelydisposeofallhisthoughtsalikeincumbrousdraperiesandflimsydisguisesmaystrikeouttwentyvarietiesoffamiliareverydaylanguage，eachcomingsomewhatnearertothefeelinghewantstoconvey，andatlastnothituponthatparticularandonlyonewhichmaybesaidtobeidenticalwiththeexactimpressioninhismind。ThiswouldseemtoshowthatMr。
Cobbettishardlyrightinsayingthatthefirstwordthatoccursisalwaysthebest。Itmaybeaverygoodone；andyetabettermaypresentitselfonreflectionorfromtimetotime。Itshouldbesuggestednaturally，however，andspontaneously，fromafreshandlivelyconceptionofthesubject。Weseldomsucceedbytryingatimprovement，orbymerelysubstitutingonewordforanotherthatwearenotsatisfiedwith，aswecannotrecollectthenameofaplaceorpersonbymerelyplaguingourselvesaboutit。Wewanderfartherfromthepointbypersistinginawrongscent；butitstartsupaccidentallyinthememorywhenweleastexpectedit，bytouchingsomelinkinthechainofpreviousassociation。
Therearethosewhohoardupandmakeacautiousdisplayofnothingbutrichandrarephraseology——ancientmedals，obscurecoins，andSpanishpiecesofeight。Theyareverycurioustoinspect，butImyselfwouldneitheroffernortaketheminthecourseofexchange。Asprinklingofarchaismsisnotamiss，butatissueofobsoleteexpressionsismorefit_forkeepthanwear。_IdonotsayIwouldnotuseanyphrasethathadbeenbroughtintofashionbeforethemiddleortheendofthelastcentury，butIshouldbeshyofusinganythathadnotbeenemployedbyanyapprovedauthorduringthewholeofthattime。Words，likeclothes，getold-fashioned，ormeanandridiculous，whentheyhavebeenforsometimelaidaside。Mr。LambistheonlyimitatorofoldEnglishstyleI
canreadwithpleasure；andheissothoroughlyimbuedwiththespiritofhisauthorsthattheideaofimitationisalmostdoneaway。Thereisaninwardunction，amarrowyvein，bothinthethoughtandfeeling，anintuition，deepandlively，ofhissubject，thatcarriesoffanyquaintnessorawkwardnessarisingfromanantiquatedstyleanddress。
Thematteriscompletelyhisown，thoughthemannerisassumed。Perhapshisideasarealtogethersomarkedandindividualastorequiretheirpointandpungencytobeneutralisedbytheaffectationofasingularbuttraditionalformofconveyance。Trickedoutintheprevailingcostume，theywouldprobablyseemmorestartlingandoutoftheway。
TheoldEnglishauthors，Burton，Fuller，Coryate，SirThomasBrowne，areakindofmediatorsbetweenusandthemoreeccentricandwhimsicalmodern，reconcilingustohispeculiarities。Idonot，however，knowhowfarthisisthecaseornot，tillhecondescendstowritelikeoneofus。ImustconfessthatwhatIlikebestofhispapersunderthesignatureofElia(stillIdonotpresume，amidstsuchexcellence，todecidewhatismostexcellent)istheaccountof”Mrs。Battle”sOpinionsonWhist”whichisalsothemostfreefromobsoleteallusionsandturnsofexpression——
AwellofnativeEnglishundefiled。
Tothoseacquaintedwithhisadmiredprototypes，these_Essays_oftheingeniousandhighlygiftedauthorhavethesamesortofcharmandrelishthatErasmus”s_Colloquies_orafinepieceofmodernLatinhavetotheclassicalscholar。Certainly，IdonotknowanyborrowedpencilthathasmorepowerorfelicityofexecutionthantheoneofwhichI
haveherebeenspeaking。
Itisaseasytowriteagaudystylewithoutideasasitistospreadapalletofshowycoloursortosmearinaflauntingtransparency。”Whatdoyouread？””Words，words，words。”——”Whatisthematter？””
_Nothing_”itmightbeanswered。Thefloridstyleisthereverseofthefamiliar。Thelastisemployedasanunvarnishedmediumtoconveyideas；thefirstisresortedtoasaspangledveiltoconcealthewantofthem。Whenthereisnothingtobesetdownbutwords，itcostslittletohavethemfine。Lookthroughthedictionary，andcullouta_florilegium_，rivalthe_tulippomania_。_Rouge_highenough，andnevermindthenaturalcomplexion。Thevulgar，whoarenotinthesecret，willadmirethelookofpreternaturalhealthandvigour；andthefashionable，whoregardonlyappearances，willbedelightedwiththeimposition。Keeptoyoursoundinggeneralities，yourtinklingphrases，andallwillbewell。Swelloutanunmeaningtruismtoaperfecttympanyofstyle。Athought，adistinctionistherockonwhichallthisbrittlecargoofverbiagesplitsatonce。Suchwritershavemerely_verbal_imaginations，thatretainnothingbutwords。Ortheirpunythoughtshavedragon-wings，allgreenandgold。Theysoarfarabovethevulgarfailingofthe_Sermohumiobrepens_——theirmostordinaryspeechisnevershortofanhyperbole，splendid，imposing，vague，incomprehensible，magniloquent，acentoofsoundingcommon-places。Ifsomeofus，whose”ambitionismorelowly”pryalittletoonarrowlyintonooksandcornerstopickupanumberof”unconsideredtrifles”
theyneveroncedirecttheireyesorlifttheirhandstoseizeonanybutthemostgorgeous，tarnished，threadbare，patchworksetofphrases，theleft-offfineryofpoeticextravagance，transmitteddownthroughsuccessivegenerationsofbarrenpretenders。Iftheycriticiseactorsandactresses，ahuddledphantasmagoriaoffeathers，spangles，floodsoflight，andoceansofsoundfloatbeforetheirmorbidsense，whichtheypaintinthestyleofAncientPistol。Notaglimpsecanyougetofthemeritsordefectsoftheperformers：theyarehiddeninaprofusionofbarbarousepithetsandwilfulrhodomontade。Ourhypercriticsarenotthinkingoftheselittlefantoccinibeings——
Thatstrutandfrettheirhouruponthestage——
butoftallphantomsofwords，abstractions，_genera_and_species_，sweepingclauses，periodsthatunitethePoles，forcedalliterations，astoundingantitheses——
Andontheirpens_Fustian_sitsplumed。
Iftheydescribekingsandqueens，itisanEasternpageant。TheCoronationateitherHouseisnothingtoit。Wegetatfourrepeatedimages——acurtain，athrone，asceptre，andafootstool。Thesearewiththemthewardrobeofaloftyimagination；andtheyturntheirservilestrainstoservileuses。Dowereadadescriptionofpictures？Itisnotareflectionoftonesandhueswhich”nature”sownsweetandcunninghandlaidon”butpilesofpreciousstones，rubies，pearls，emeralds，Golconda”smines，andalltheblazonryofart。Suchpersonsareinfactbesottedwithwords，andtheirbrainsareturnedwiththeglitteringbutemptyandsterilephantomsofthings。Personifications，capitalletters，seasofsunbeams，visionsofglory，shininginscriptions，thefiguresofatransparency，Britanniawithhershield，orHopeleaningonananchor，makeuptheirstock-in-trade。Theymaybeconsideredas_hieroglyphical_writers。Imagesstandoutintheirmindsisolatedandimportantmerelyinthemselves，withoutanygroundworkoffeeling——thereisnocontextintheirimaginations。Wordsaffecttheminthesameway，bythemeresound，thatis，bytheirpossible，notbytheiractualapplicationtothesubjectinhand。Theyarefascinatedbyfirstappearances，andhavenosenseofconsequences。Nothingmoreismeantbythemthanmeetstheear：theyunderstandorfeelnothingmorethanmeetstheireye。Thewebandtextureoftheuniverse，andoftheheartofman，isamysterytothem：theyhavenofacultythatstrikesachordinunisonwithit。Theycannotgetbeyondthedaubingsoffancy，thevarnishofsentiment。Objectsarenotlinkedtofeelings，wordstothings，butimagesrevolveinsplendidmockery，wordsrepresentthemselvesintheirstrangerhapsodies。Thecategoriesofsuchamindareprideandignorance——prideinoutsideshow，towhichtheysacrificeeverything，andignoranceofthetrueworthandhiddenstructurebothofwordsandthings。Withasovereigncontemptforwhatisfamiliarandnatural，theyaretheslavesofvulgaraffectation——ofaroutineofhigh-flownphrases。Scorningtoimitaterealities，theyareunabletoinventanything，tostrikeoutoneoriginalidea。Theyarenotcopyistsofnature，itistrue；buttheyarethepoorestofallplagiarists，theplagiaristsofwords。Allisfar-fetched，dearbought，artificial，orientalinsubjectandallusion；allismechanical，conventional，vapid，formal，pedanticinstyleandexecution。Theystartleandconfoundtheunderstandingofthereaderbytheremotenessandobscurityoftheirillustrations；theysoothetheearbythemonotonyofthesameeverlastingroundofcircuitousmetaphors。Theyarethemock-schoolinpoetryandprose。Theyflounderaboutbetweenfustianinexpressionandbathosinsentiment。Theytantalisethefancy，butneverreachtheheadnortouchtheheart。TheirTempleofFameislikeashadowystructureraisedbyDulnesstoVanity，orlikeCowper”sdescriptionoftheEmpressofRussia”spalaceofice，”asworthlessasinshow”twasglittering”——
Itsmiled，anditwascold！
NOTEStoESSAYVIII
[1]Ihaveheardofsuchathingasanauthorwhomakesitarulenevertoadmitamonosyllableintohisvapidverse。YetthecharmandsweetnessofMarlowe”slinesdependedoftenontheirbeingmadeupalmostentirelyofmonosyllables。
ESSAYIX
ONEFFEMINACYOFCHARACTER
Effeminacyofcharacterarisesfromaprevalenceofthesensibilityoverthewill；oritconsistsinawantoffortitudetobearpainortoundergofatigue，howeverurgenttheoccasion。Wemeetwithinstancesofpeoplewhocannotliftupalittlefingertosavethemselvesfromruin，norgiveupthesmallestindulgenceforthesakeofanyotherperson。
Theycannotputthemselvesoutoftheirwayonanyaccount。Noonemakesagreateroutcrywhenthedayofreckoningcomes，oraffectsgreatercompassionforthemischiefstheyhaveoccasioned；buttillthetimecomes，theyfeelnothing，theycarefornothing。Theyliveinthepresentmoment，arethecreaturesofthepresentimpulse(whateveritmaybe)——andbeyondthat，theuniverseisnothingtothem。Theslightesttoycountervailstheempireoftheworld；theywillnotforegothesmallestinclinationtheyfeel，foranyobjectthatcanbeproposedtothem，oranyreasonsthatcanbeurgedforit。Youmightaswellaskofthegossamernottowantonintheidlesummerair，orofthemothnottoplaywiththeflamethatscorchesit，asaskofthesepersonstoputoffanyenjoymentforasingleinstant，ortogirdthemselvesuptoanyenterpriseofpithormoment。Theyhavebeensousedtoastudiedsuccessionofagreeablesensationsthattheshortestpauseisaprivationwhichtheycanbynomeansendure——itisliketearingthemfromtheirveryexistence——theyhavebeensoinuredtoeaseandindolence，thatthemosttriflingeffortislikeoneofthetasksofHercules，athingofimpossibility，atwhichtheyshudder。Theylieonbedsofroses，andspreadtheirgauzewingstothesunandsummergale，andcannotbeartoputtheirtenderfeettotheground，muchlesstoencounterthethornsandbriarsoftheworld。LifeforthemRollso”erElysianflowersitsamberstream，andtheyhavenofancyforfishingintroubledwaters。Theordinarystateofexistencetheyregardassomethingimportunateandvain，andoutofnature。Whatmusttheythinkofitstrialsandsharpvicissitudes？Insteadofvoluntarilyembracingpain，orlabour，ordanger，ordeath，everysensationmustbewounduptothehighestpitchofvoluptuousrefinement，everymotionmustbegraceandelegance；theyliveinaluxurious，endlessdream，orDieofaroseinaromaticpain！
Sirensoundsmustfloataroundthem；smilingformsmusteverywheremeettheirsight；theymusttreadasoftmeasureonpaintedcarpetsorsmooth-shavenlawns；books，arts，jests，laughteroccupyeverythoughtandhour——whathavetheytodowiththedrudgery，thestruggles，thepoverty，thediseaseoranguishwhicharethecommonlotofhumanity？
Thesethingsareintolerabletothem，eveninimagination。Theydisturbtheenchantmentinwhichtheyarelapt。Theycauseawrinkleintheclearandpolishedsurfaceoftheirexistence。Theyexclaimwithimpatienceandinagony，”Oh，leavemetomyrepose！”How”theyshalldiscoursethefreezinghoursaway，whenwindandrainbeatdarkDecemberdown”or”bidethepeltingofthepitilessstorm”givesthemnoconcern，itneveronceenterstheirheads。Theyclosetheshutters，drawthecurtains，andenjoyorshutoutthewhistlingoftheapproachingtempest”Theytakenothoughtforthemorrow”notthey。
Theydonotanticipateevils。Letthemcomewhentheywillcome，theywillnotruntomeetthem。Naymore，theywillnotmoveonesteptopreventthem，norletanyoneelse。Thementionofsuchthingsisshocking；theverysuppositionisanuisancethatmustnotbetolerated。
Theideaofthetrouble，theprecautions，thenegotiationsnecessarytoobviatedisagreeableconsequencesoppressesthemtodeath，isanexertiontoogreatfortheirenervatedimaginations。TheyarenotlikeMasterBarnardinein_MeasureforMeasure_，whowouldnot”getuptobehanged”——theywouldnotgetuptoavoidbeinghanged。Theyarecompletelywrappedupinthemselves；butthenalltheirself-loveisconcentratedinthepresentminute。Theyhaveworkeduptheireffeminateandfastidiousappetiteofenjoymenttosuchapitchthatthewholeoftheirexistence，everymomentofit，mustbemadeupoftheseexquisiteindulgences；ortheywillflingitallaway，withindifferenceandscorn。Theystaketheirentirewelfareonthegratificationofthepassinginstant。Theirsenses，theirvanity，theirthoughtlessgaietyhavebeenpamperedtilltheyacheatthesmallestsuspensionoftheirperpetualdoseofexcitement，andtheywillpurchasethehollowhappinessofthenextfiveminutesbyamortgageontheindependenceandcomfortofyears。Theymusthavetheirwillineverything，ortheygrowsullenandpeevishlikespoiledchildren。Whatevertheysettheireyeson，ormakeuptheirmindsto，theymusthavethatinstant。Theymaypayforithereafter。Butthatisnomatter。Theysnatchajoybeyondthereachoffate，andconsiderthepresenttimesacred，inviolable，unaccountabletothathard，churlish，niggard，inexorabletaskmaster，thefuture。_Nowornever_istheirmotto。Theyaremadlydevotedtotheplaything，therulingpassionofthemoment。Whatistohappentothemaweekhenceisasifitweretohappentothemathousandyearshence。Theyputofftheconsiderationforanotherday，andtheirheedlessunconcernlaughsatitasafable。Theirlifeis”acellofignorance，travellinga-bed”；theirexistenceisephemeral；theirthoughtsareinsect-winged；theiridentityexpireswiththewhim，thefolly，thepassionofthehour。
Nothingbutamiraclecanrousesuchpeoplefromtheirlethargy。Itisnottobeexpected，norisitevenpossibleinthenaturalcourseofthings。Pope”sstrikingexclamation，Oh！blindnesstothefuturekindlygiven，Thateachmayfillthecircuitmark”dbyHeaven！
hardlyapplieshere；namely，toevilsthatstareusintheface，andthatmightbeavertedwiththeleastprudenceorresolution。Butnothingcanbedone。Howshouldit？Aslightevil，adistantdanger，willnotmovethem；andamoreimminentoneonlymakesthemturnawayfromitingreaterprecipitationandalarm。Themoredesperatetheiraffairsgrow，themoreaversetheyaretolookintothem；andthegreatertheeffortrequiredtoretrievethem，themoreincapabletheyareofit。Atfirst，theywillnotdoanything；andafterwards，itistoolate。Theverymotivesthatimperiouslyurgethemtoself-reflectionandamendment，combinewiththeirnaturaldispositiontopreventit。Thisamountsprettynearlytoamathematicaldemonstration。
Ease，vanity，pleasurearetherulingpassionsinsuchcases。Howwillyouconquerthese，orweantheirinfatuatedvotariesfromthem？Bythedreadofhardship，disgrace，pain？Theyturnfromthem，andyouwhopointthemoutasthealternative，withsicklydisgust；andinsteadofastrongereffortofcourageorself-denialtoavertthecrisis，hastenitbyawilfuldeterminationtopamperthediseaseineveryway，andarmthemselves，notwithfortitudetobearortorepeltheconsequences，butwithjudicialblindnesstotheirapproach。Willyourousetheindolentprocrastinatortoanirksomebutnecessaryeffort，byshowinghimhowmuchhehastodo？Hewillonlydrawbackthemoreforallyourentreatiesandrepresentations。Ifofasanguineturn，hewillmakeaslightattemptatanewplanoflife。besatisfiedwiththefirstappearanceofreform，andrelapseintoindolenceagain。Iftimidandundecided，thehopelessnessoftheundertakingwillputhimoutofheartwithit，andhewillstandstillindespair。Willyousaveavainmanfromruin，bypointingouttheobloquyandridiculethatawaithiminhispresentcareer？Hesmilesatyourforebodingsasfantastical；orthemoretheyarerealisedaroundhim，themoreheisimpelledtokeepoutthegallingconviction，andthemorefondlyheclingstoflatteryanddeath。Hewillnotmakeaboldandresoluteattempttorecoverhisreputation，becausethatwouldimplythatitwascapableofbeingsoiledorinjured；orhenosoonermeditatessomedesultoryproject，thanhetakescredittohimselffortheexecution，andisdelightedtowearhisunearnedlaurelswhilethethingisbarelytalkedof。Thechanceofsuccessrelievestheuneasinessofhisapprehensions；sothathemakesuseoftheintervalonlytoflatterhisfavouriteinfirmityagain。
Wouldyouweanamanfromsensualexcessesbytheinevitableconsequencestowhichtheylead？——Whatholdsmoreantipathytopleasurethanpain？Themindgivenuptoself-indulgencerevoltsatsuffering，andthrowsitfromitasanunaccountableanomaly，asapieceofinjusticewhenitcomes。Muchlesswillitacknowledgeanyaffinitywithorsubjectiontoitasamerethreat。Ifthepredictiondoesnotimmediatelycometrue，welaughattheprophetofill：ifitisverified，wehateouradviserproportionably，hugourvicesthecloser，andholdthemdearerandmorepreciousthemoretheycostus。Weresentwholesomecounselasanimpertinence，andconsiderthosewhowarnusofimpendingmischiefasiftheyhadbroughtitonourheads。Wecryoutwiththepoeticalenthusiast——
Andletusnursethefonddeceit；
Andwhatifwemustdieinsorrow？
Whowouldnotcherishdreamssosweet，Thoughgriefandpainshouldcometo-morrow？
Butohthou！whodidstlendmespeechwhenIwasdumb，towhomIoweitthatIhavenotcreptonmybellyallthedaysofmylifeliketheserpent，butsometimesliftmyforkedcrestortreadtheempyrean，wakethououtofthymid-dayslumbers！Shakeofftheheavyhoneydewofthysoul，nolongerlulledwiththatCirceancup，drinkingthyownthoughtswiththyownears，butstartupinthypromisedlikeness，andshakethepillaredrottennessoftheworld！Leavenotthysoundingwordsinair，writetheminmarble，andteachthecomingageheroictruths！Up，andwaketheechoesofTime！Richindeepestlore，dienotthebed-ridchurlofknowledge，leavingthesurvivorsunblest！Set，setasthoudidstriseinpompandgladness！Dartlikethesunfloweronebroad，goldenflashoflight；anderethouascendestthynativesky，showusthestepsbywhichthoudidstscaletheHeavenofphilosophy，withTruthandFancyforthyequalguides，thatwemaycatchthymantle，rainbow-dipped，andstillreadthywordsdeartoMemory，dearertoFame！
Thereisanotherbranchofthischaracter，whichisthetriflingordilatorycharacter。Suchpersonsarealwayscreatingdifficulties，andunableorunwillingtoremovethem。Theycannotbrushasideacobweb，andarestoppedbyaninsect”swing。Theircharacterisimbecility，ratherthaneffeminacy。Thewantofenergyandresolutioninthepersonslastdescribedarisesfromthehabitualandinveteratepredominanceofotherfeelingsandmotives；intheseitisamerewantofenergyandresolution，thatis，aninherentnaturaldefectofvigourofnerveandvoluntarypower。Thereisaspecificlevityaboutsuchpersons，sothatyoucannotpropelthemtoanyobject，orgivethemadecided_momentum_inanydirectionorpursuit。Theyturnback，asitwere，ontheoccasionthatshouldprojectthemforwardwithmanlyforceandvehemence。Theyshrinkfromintrepidityofpurpose，andarealarmedattheideaofattainingtheirendtoosoon。Theywillnotactwithsteadinessorspirit，eitherforthemselvesoryou。Ifyouchalkoutalineofconductforthem，orcommissionthemtoexecuteacertaintask，theyaresuretoconjureupsomeinsignificantobjectionorfancifulimpedimentintheway，andarewithheldfromstrikinganeffectualblowbymerefeeblenessofcharacter。Theymaybeofficious，good-natured，friendly，generousindisposition，buttheyareofnousetoanyone。
Theywillputthemselvestotwicethetroubleyoudesire，nottocarryyourpoint，buttodefeatit；andinobviatingneedlessobjections，neglectthemainbusiness。Iftheydowhatyouwant，itisneitheratthetimenorinthemannerthatyouwish。Thistimidityamountstotreachery；forbyalwaysanticipatingsomemisfortuneordisgrace，theyrealisetheirunmeaningapprehensions。Thelittlebearsswayintheirmindsoverthegreat：asmallinconvenienceoutweighsasolidandindispensableadvantage；andtheirstrongestbiasisuniformlyderivedfromtheweakestmotive。Theyhesitateaboutthebestwayofbeginningathingtilltheopportunityforactionislost，andarelessanxiousaboutitsbeingdonethantheprecisemannerofdoingit。Theywilldestroyapassagesoonerthanletanobjectionablewordpass；andaremuchlessconcernedaboutthetruthorthebeautyofanimagethanaboutthereceptionitwillmeetwithfromthecritics。Theyalterwhattheywrite，notbecauseitis，butbecauseitmaypossiblybewrong；andintheirtremuloussolicitudetoavoidimaginaryblunders，runintorealones。Whatiscuriousenoughis，thatwithallthiscautionanddelicacy，theyarecontinuallyliabletoextraordinaryoversights。Theyare，infact，sofullofallsortsofidleapprehensions，thattheydonotknowhowtodistinguishrealfromimaginarygroundsofapprehension；
andtheyoftengivesomeunaccountableoffence，eitherfromassumingasuddenboldnesshalfinsport，orwhiletheyaresecretlyplumingthemselvesontheirdexterityinavoidingeverythingexceptionable；andthesamedistractionofmotiveandshortsightednesswhichgetsthemintoscrapeshindersthemfromseeingtheirwayoutofthem。Suchpersons(oftenofingeniousandsusceptibleminds)areconstantlyatcross-purposeswiththemselvesandothers；willneitherdothingsnorletothersdothem；andwhethertheysucceedorfail，neverfeelconfidentorattheircase。Theyspoilthefreshnessandoriginalityoftheirownthoughtsbyaskingcontradictoryadvice；andinbefriendingothers，whiletheyare_aboutitandaboutit，_youmighthavedonethethingyourselfadozentimesover。
Thereisnothingmoretobeesteemedthanamanlyfirmnessanddecisionofcharacter。Ilikeapersonwhoknowshisownmindandstickstoit；
whoseesatoncewhatistobedoneingivencircumstancesanddoesit。
Hedoesnotbeataboutthebushfordifficultiesorexcuses，butgoestheshortestandmosteffectualwaytoworktoattainhisownendsortoaccomplishausefulobject。Ifhecanserveyou，hewilldoso；ifhecannot，hewillsaysowithoutkeepingyouinneedlesssuspense，orlayingyouunderpretendedobligations。Theapplyingtohiminanylaudableundertakingisnotlikestirring”adishofskimmedmilk。”
Thereisstuffinhim，anditisoftherightpracticablesort。Heisnotallhislifeathawk-and-buzzardwhetherheshallbeaWhigoraTory，afriendorafoe，aknaveorafool；butthinksthatlifeisshort，andthatthereisnotimetoplayfantastictricksinit，totamperwithprinciples，ortriflewithindividualfeelings。Ifhegivesyouacharacter，hedoesnotaddadamningclausetoit：hedoesnotpickholesinyoulestothersshould，oranticipateobjectionslestheshouldbethoughttobeblindedbyachildishpartiality。Hisobjectistoserveyou；andnottoplaythegameintoyourenemies”hands。
Agenerousfriendshipnocoldmediumknows，Burnswithonelove，withoneresentmentglows。
Ishouldbesorryforanyonetosaywhathedidnotthinkofme；butI
shouldnotbepleasedtoseehimslinkoutofhisacknowledgedopinion，lestitshouldnotbeconfirmedbymaliceorstupidity。Hewhoiswellacquaintedandwellinclinedtoyououghttogivethetone，nottoreceiveitfromothers，andmaysetittowhatkeyhepleasesincertaincases。
Therearethoseofwhomithasbeensaid，thattothemanobligationisareasonfornotdoinganything，andthereareotherswhoareinvariablyledtodothereverseofwhattheyshould。Thelastareperverse，thefirstimpracticablepeople。Opposedtotheeffeminateindispositionandmannersarethecoarseandbrutal。Asthosewereallsoftnessandsmoothness，theseaffectorarenaturallyattractedtowhateverisvulgarandviolent，harshandrepulsiveintone，inmodesofspeech，informsofaddress，ingestureandbehaviour。Thustherearesomewhoapethelispingofthefinelady，thedrawlingofthefinegentleman，andotherswhoalltheirlifedelightinandcatchtheuncouthdialect，themannersandexpressionsofclownsandhoydens。Thelastaregovernedbyaninstinctofthedisagreeable，byanappetiteandheadlongrageforviolatingdecorumandhurtingotherpeople”sfeelings，theirownbeingexcitedandenlivenedbytheshock。Theydealinhometruths，unpleasantreflections，andunwelcomemattersoffact；astheothersareallcomplimentandcomplaisance，insincerityandinsipidity。
Wemayobserveaneffeminacyofstyle，insomedegreecorrespondingtoeffeminacyofcharacter。Writersofthisstamparegreatinterlinersofwhattheyindite，alterersofindifferentphrases，andtheplagueofprinters”devils。ByaneffeminatestyleIwouldbeunderstoodtomeanonethatisallflorid，allfine；thatcloysbyitssweetness，andtiresbyitssameness。SucharewhatDrydencalls”calm，peaceablewriters。”
Theyonlyaimtoplease，andneveroffendbytruthordisturbbysingularity。Everythoughtmustbebeautiful_perse_，everyexpressionequallyfine。Theydonotdelightinvulgarisms，butincommon-places，anddressoutunmeaningformsinallthecoloursoftherainbow。Theydonotgooutoftheirwaytothink——thatwouldstartletheindolenceofthereader：theycannotexpressatritethoughtincommonwords——thatwouldbeasacrificeoftheirownvanity。Theyarenotsparingoftinsel，foritcostsnothing。Theirworksshouldbeprinted，astheygenerallyare，onhot-pressedpaper，withvignettemargins。TheDellaCruscanschoolcomesunderthisdescription，whichisnownearlyexploded。LordByronisapamperedandaristocraticwriter，butheisnoteffeminate，orweshouldnothavehisworkswithonlytheprinter”snametothem！IcannothelpthinkingthatthefaultofMr。Keats”spoemswasadeficiencyinmasculineenergyofstyle。Hehadbeauty，tenderness，delicacy，inanuncommondegree，buttherewasawantofstrengthandsubstance。His_Endymion_isaverydelightfuldescriptionoftheillusionsofayouthfulimaginationgivenuptoairydreams——wehaveflowers，clouds，rainbows，moonlight，allsweetsoundsandsmells，andOreadsandDryadsflittingby——butthereisnothingtangibleinit，nothingmarkedorpalpable——wehavenoneofthehardyspiritorrigidformsofantiquity。Hepaintedhisownthoughtsandcharacter，anddidnottransporthimselfintothefabulousandheroicages。Thereisawantofaction，ofcharacter，andsofarofimagination，butthereisexquisitefancy。Allissoftandfleshy，withoutboneormuscle。Weseeinhimtheyouthwithoutthemanhoodofpoetry。Hisgeniusbreathed”vernaldelightandjoy。””LikeMaia”ssonhestoodandshookhisplumes”withfragrancefilled。Hismindwasredolentofspring。Hehadnotthefiercenessofsummer，northerichnessofautumn，andwinterheseemednottohaveknowntillhefelttheicyhandofdeath！
NOTEStoESSAYIX
Nonotesforthisessay。
ESSAYX
WHYDISTANTOBJECTSPLEASE
Distantobjectsplease，because，inthefirstplace，theyimplyanideaofspaceandmagnitude，andbecause，notbeingobtrudedtoocloseupontheeye，weclothethemwiththeindistinctandairycoloursoffancy。
Inlookingatthemistymountain-topsthatboundthehorizon，themindisasitwereconsciousofalltheconceivableobjectsandintereststhatliebetween；weimagineallsortsofadventuresintheinterim；
strainourhopesandwishestoreachtheair-drawncircle，orto”descrynewlands，rivers，andmountains”stretchingfarbeyondit：ourfeelings，carriedoutofthemselves，losetheirgrossnessandtheirhusk，arerarefied，expanded，meltintosoftnessandbrightenintobeauty，turningtoetherealmould，sky-tinctured。Wedrinktheairbeforeus，andborrowamorerefinedexistencefromobjectsthathoveronthebrinkofnothing。Wherethelandscapefadesfromthedullsight，wefillthethin，viewlessspacewithshapesofunknowngood，andtingethehazyprospectwithhopesandwishesandmorecharmingfears。
Butthou，ohHope！witheyessofair，Whatwasthydelightedmeasure？
Stillitwhisper”dpromisedpleasure，Andbadethelovelyscenesatdistancehail！
Whateverisplacedbeyondthereachofsenseandknowledge，whateverisimperfectlydiscerned，thefancypiecesoutatitsleisure；andallbutthepresentmoment，butthepresentspot，passionclaimsforitsown，andbroodingoveritwithwingsoutspread，stampsitwithanimageofitself。Passionislordofinfinitespace，anddistantobjectspleasebecausetheyborderonitsconfinesandaremouldedbyitstouch。WhenIwasaboy，Ilivedwithinsightofarangeofloftyhills，whosebluetopsblendingwiththesettingsunhadoftentemptedmylongingeyesandwanderingfeet。AtlastIputmyprojectinexecution，andonanearerapproach，insteadofglimmeringairwovenintofantasticshapes，foundthemhugelumpishheapsofdiscolouredearth。Ilearntfromthis(inpart)toleave”Yarrowunvisited”andnotidlytodisturbadreamofgood！
Distanceoftimehasmuchthesameeffectasdistanceofplace。Itisnotsurprisingthatfancycolourstheprospectofthefutureasitthinksgood，wheniteveneffacestheformsofmemory。Timetakesoutthestingofpain；oursorrowsafteracertainperiodhavebeensooftensteepedinamediumofthoughtandpassionthatthey”unmouldtheiressence”；andallthatremainsofouroriginalimpressionsiswhatwewouldwishthemtohavebeen。Notonlytheuntriedsteepascentbeforeus，buttherude，unsightlymassesofourpastexperiencepresentlyresumetheirpowerofdeceptionovertheeye：thegoldencloudsoonrestsupontheirheads，andthepurplelightoffancyclothestheirbarrensides！Thuswepasson，whilebothendsofourexistencetouchuponHeaven！Thereis(sotospeak)”amightystreamoftendency”togoodinthehumanmind，uponwhichallobjectsfloatandareimperceptiblybornealong；andthoughinthevoyageoflifewemeetwithstrongrebuffs，withrocksandquicksands，yetthereis”atideintheaffairsofmen”aheavingandarestlessaspirationofthesoul，bymeansofwhich，”withsailsandtackletorn”thewreckandscatteredfragmentsofourentirebeingdriftintotheportandhavenofourdesires！Inallthatrelatestotheaffections，weputthewillforthedeed；sothattheinstantthepressureofunwelcomecircumstancesisremoved，themindrecoilsfromtheirhold，recoversitselasticity，andreunitesitselftothatimageofgoodwhichisbutareflectionandconfigurationofitsownnature。Seeninthedistance，inthelongperspectiveofwaningyears，themeanestincidents，enlargedandenrichedbycountlessrecollections，becomeinteresting；themostpainful，brokenandsoftenedbytime，soothe。Howanyobjectthatunexpectedlybringsbacktousoldscenesandassociationsstartlesthemind！Whatayearningitcreateswithinus；whatalongingtoleaptheintermediatespace！Howfondlyweclingto，andtrytorevivetheimpressionofallthatwethenwere！
Suchtrickshathstrongimagination！
Intruthweimposeuponourselves，andknownotwhatwewish。Itisacunningartifice，aquaintdelusion，bywhich，inpretendingtobewhatwewereataparticularmomentoftime，wewouldfainbeallthatwehavesincebeen，andhaveourlivestocomeoveragain。Itisnotthelittle，glimmering，almostannihilatedspeckinthedistancethatrivetsourattentionand”hangsuponthebeatingsofourhearts”：itistheintervalthatseparatesusfromit，andofwhichitisthetremblingboundary，thatexcitesallthiscoilandmightypudderinthebreast。
Intothatgreatgapinourbeing”comethrongingsoftdesires”andinfiniteregrets。Itisthecontrast，thechangefromwhatwethenwere，thatarmsthehalf-extinguishedrecollectionwithitsgiantstrength，andliftsthefabricoftheaffectionsfromitsshadowybase。
Incontemplatingitsutmostverge，weoverlookthemapofourexistence，andre-tread，inapprehension，thejourneyoflife。Soitisthatinearlyyouthwestrainoureagersightafterthepursuitsofmanhood；
and，asweareslidingoffthestage，strivetogatherupthetoysandflowersthatpleasedourthoughtlesschildhood。
WhenIwasquiteaboymyfatherusedtotakemetotheMontpelierTeaGardensatWalworth。DoIgotherenow？No；theplaceisdeserted，anditsbordersanditsbedso”erturned。Isthere，then，nothingthatcanBringbackthehourOfgloryinthegrass，ofsplendourintheflower？
Oh！yes。Iunlockthecasketofmemory，anddrawbackthewardersofthebrain；andtherethissceneofmyinfantwanderingsstilllivesunfaded，orwithfresherdyes。Anewsensecomesuponme，asinadream；aricherperfume，brightercoloursstartout；myeyesdazzle；myheartheaveswithitsnewloadofbliss，andIamachildagain。Mysensationsareallglossy，spruce，voluptuous，andfine：theywearacandiedcoat，andareinholidaytrim。Iseethebedsoflarkspurwithpurpleeyes；tallhollyhocks，redoryellow；thebroadsunflowers，cakedingold，withbeesbuzzingroundthem；wildernessesofpinks，andhotglowingpeonies；poppiesruntoseed；thesugaredlily，andfaintmignonette，allrangedinorder，andasthickastheycangrow；thebox-treeborders，thegravel-walks，thepaintedalcove，theconfectionery，theclottedcream：——IthinkIseethemnowwithsparklinglooks；orhavetheyvanishedwhileIhavebeenwritingthisdescriptionofthem？Nomatter；theywillreturnagainwhenIleastthinkofthem。
AllthatIhaveobservedsince，offlowersandplants，andgrass-plots，andofsuburbdelights，seemstomeborrowedfrom”thatfirstgardenofmyinnocence”——tobeslipsandscionsstolenfromthatbedofmemory。
Inthismannerthedarlingsofourchildhoodburnishoutintheeyeofafteryears，andderivetheirsweetestperfumefromthefirstheartfeltsighofpleasurebreatheduponthem，Likethesweetsouth，Thatbreathesuponabankofviolets，Stealingandgivingodour！
IfIhavepleasureinaflower-garden，Ihaveinakitchen-gardentoo，andforthesamereason。IfIseearowofcabbage-plants，orofpeasorbeanscomingup，IimmediatelythinkofthosewhichIusedsocarefullytowaterofaneveningatWem，whenmyday”stasksweredone，andofthepainwithwhichIsawthemdroopandhangdowntheirleavesinthemorning”ssun。Again，Ineverseeachild”skiteintheairbutitseemstopullatmyheart。Itistome”athingoflife。”Ifeelthetwingeatmyelbow，theflutterandpalpitation，withwhichIusedtoletgothestringofmyown，asitroseintheair，andtoweredamongtheclouds。Mylittlecargoofhopesandfearsascendedwithit；andasitmadeapartofmyownconsciousnessthen，itdoessostill，andappears”likesomegaycreatureoftheelement”myplaymatewhenlifewasyoung，andtwin-bornwithmyearliestrecollections。Icouldenlargeonthissubjectofchildishamusements，butMr。LeighHunthastreateditsowell，inapaperinthe_Indicator，_ontheproductionsofthetoy-shopsofthemetropolis，thatifIweretoinsistmoreonitI
shouldonlypassforanimitatorofthatingeniousandagreeablewriter，_andforanindifferentoneintothebargain。_
Sounds，smells，andsometimestastes，arerememberedlongerthanvisibleobjects，andserve，perhaps，betterforlinksinthechainofassociation。Thereasonseemstobethis：theyareintheirnatureintermittent，andcomparativelyrare；whereasobjectsofsightarealwaysbeforeus，and，bytheircontinuoussuccession，driveoneanotherout。Theeyeisalwaysopen；andbetweenanygivenimpressionanditsrecurrenceasecondtime，fiftythousandotherimpressionshave，inalllikelihood，beenstampeduponthesenseandonthebrain。Theothersensesarenotsoactiveorvigilant。Theyarebutseldomcalledintoplay。Theear，forexample，isoftenercourtedbysilencethannoise；
andthesoundsthatbreakthatsilencesinkdeeperandmoredurablyintothemind。Ihaveamorepresentandlivelyrecollectionofcertainscents，tastes，andsounds，forthisreason，thanIhaveofmerevisibleimages，becausetheyaremoreoriginal，andlesswornbyfrequentrepetition。Wherethereisnothinginterposedbetweenanytwoimpressions，whateverthedistanceoftimethatpartsthem，theynaturallyseemtotouch；andtherenewedimpressionrecallstheformeroneinfullforce，withoutdistractionorcompetitor。Thetasteofbarberries，whichhavehungoutinthesnowduringtheseverityofaNorthAmericanwinter，Ihaveinmymouthstill，afteranintervalofthirtyyears；forIhavemetwithnoothertasteinallthattimeatalllikeit。Itremainsbyitself，almostliketheimpressionofasixthsense。Butthecolourismixedupindiscriminatelywiththecoloursofmanyotherberries，norshouldIbeabletodistinguishitamongthem。
Thesmellofabrick-kilncarriestheevidenceofitsownidentitywithit：neitherisittome(frompeculiarassociations)unpleasant。Thecolourofbrickdust，onthecontrary，ismorecommon，andeasilyconfoundedwithothercolours。Raphaeldidnotkeepitquitedistinctfromhisfleshcolour。Iwillnotsaythatwehaveamoreperfectrecollectionofthehumanvoicethanofthatcomplexpicturethehumanface，butIthinkthesuddenhearingofawell-knownvoicehassomethinginitmoreaffectingandstrikingthanthesuddenmeetingwiththeface：
perhaps，indeed，thismaybebecausewehaveamorefamiliarremembranceoftheonethantheother，andthevoicetakesusmorebysurpriseonthataccount。Iambynomeanscertain(generallyspeaking)thatwehavetheideasoftheothersensessoaccurateandwellmadeoutasthoseofvisibleform：whatIchieflymeanis，thatthefeelingsbelongingtothesensationsofourotherorgans，whenaccidentallyrecalled，arekeptmoreseparateandpure。Musicalsounds，probably，oweagooddealoftheirinterestandromanticeffecttotheprincipleherespokenof。Weretheyconstant，theywouldbecomeindifferent，aswemayfindwithrespecttodisagreeablenoises，whichwedonothearafteratime。Iknownosituationmorepitiablethanthatofablindfiddlerwhohasbutonesenseleft(ifweexceptthesenseofsnuff-taking[1])andwhohasthatstunnedordeafenedbyhisownvillainousnoises。Shakespearsays。
Howsilver-sweetsoundlovers”tonguesbynight！
Ithasbeenobservedinexplanationofthispassage，thatitisbecauseintheday-timeloversareoccupiedwithoneanother”sfaces，butthatatnighttheycanonlydistinguishthesoundofeachother”svoices。I
knownothowthismaybe；butIhave，erenow，heardavoicebreaksouponthesilence，Toangels””twasmostlike，andcharmthemoonlightairwithitsbalmyessence，thatthebuddingleavestrembledtoitsaccents。WouldImighthavehearditoncemorewhisperpeaceandhope(aserstwhenitwasmingledwiththebreathofspring)，andwithitssoftpulsationsliftwingedfancytoheaven。Butithasceased，orturnedwhereInomoreshallhearit！——Hence，also，weseewhatisthecharmoftheshepherd”spastoralreed；andwhywehearhim，asitwere，pipingtohisflock，eveninapicture。Ourearsarefancystung！Irememberoncestrollingalongthemarginofastream，skirtedwithwillowsandplashysedges，inoneofthoselowshelteredvalleysonSalisburyPlain，wherethemonksofformerageshadplantedchapelsandbuilthermits”cells。Therewasalittleparishchurchnear，buttallelmsandquiveringaldershiditfrommysight，when，allofasudden，Iwasstartledbythesoundofthefullorganpealingontheear，accompaniedbyrusticvoicesandthewillingchoirofvillagemaidsandchildren。Itrose，indeed，”likeanexhalationofrichdistilledperfumes。”Thedewfromathousandpastureswasgatheredinitssoftness；thesilenceofathousandyearsspokeinit。Itcameupontheheartlikethecalmbeautyofdeath；fancycaughtthesound，andfaithmountedonittotheskies。Itfilledthevalleylikeamist，andstillpouredoutitsendlesschant，andstillitswellsupontheear，andwrapsmeinagoldentrance，drowningthenoisytumultoftheworld！
Thereisacuriousandinterestingdiscussiononthecomparativedistinctnessofourvisualandotherexternalimpressions，inMr。
Fearn”s_EssayonConsciousness_，withwhichIshalltrytodescendfromthisrhapsodytothegroundofcommonsenseandplainreasoningagain。
Afterobserving，alittlebefore，that”nothingismoreuntruethanthatsensationsofvisiondonecessarilyleavemorevividanddurableideasthanthoseofgrossersenses”heproceedstogiveanumberofillustrationsinsupportofthisposition。”Notwithstanding”hesays，”theadvantageshereenumeratedinfavourofsight，Ithinkthereisnodoubtthatamanwillcometoforgetacquaintance，andmanyothervisibleobjects，noticedinmatureage，beforehewillintheleastforgettasteandsmells，ofonlymoderateinterest，encounteredeitherinhischildhoodoratanytimesince。”Inthecourseofvoyagingtovariousdistantregions，ithasseveraltimeshappenedthatIhaveeatenonceortwiceofdifferentthingsthatnevercameinmywaybeforenorsince。Someofthesehavebeenpleasant，andsomescarcebetterthaninsipid；butIhavenoreasontothinkIhaveforgot，ormuchalteredtheideasleftbythosesingleimpulsesoftaste；thoughherethememoryofthemcertainlyhasnotbeenpreservedbyrepetition。ItisclearImusthaveseenaswellastastedthosethings；andIamdecidedthatIrememberthetasteswithmoreprecisionthanIdothevisualsensations。”Irememberhavingonce，andonlyonce，eatKangarooinNewHolland；andhavingoncesmelledabaker”sshophavingapeculiarodourinthecityofBassorah。Nowboththesegrossideasremainwithmequiteasvividasanyvisualideasofthoseplaces；andthiscouldnotbefromrepetition，butreallyfrominterestinthesensation。”Twenty-eightyearsago，intheislandofJamaica，Ipartook(perhapstwice)ofacertainfruit，ofthetasteofwhichIhavenowaveryfreshidea；andIcouldaddotherinstancesofthatperiod。
