able to learn the truth on this subject, it is, as others have found it, that ordinary men generally remain so far as their own exertions are concerned, in the conditions where the accidents of birth may have placed them; while the greater men, to whom nature has been lavish of her best gifts, vindicate their supremacy, bend and conquer circumstances, are the artificers of their own fortunes, the "sons of their own works." In the noble lines of Dryden, "Man makes his Fate according to his mind; That genius depends on an inward impulse, and is not merely made by the will and exercise of the individual, is also corroborated by the fact that its possessor may for a long time give the clearest evidence of his endowment, without a consciousness of its existence. Men of powerful minds, generally find themselves out, some very early in life; but they are frequently indebted to the reaction of the popular opinion formed by their works, for the full conviction of their own superiority. It is rare for a man of genius to go through life, without expressing his love of fame, and his hope of an immortality on earth, in the memory of mankind. Milton, gloried in the assurance he felt, that he had written something which "posterity would not willingly let die." But on the other hand, is there a line in the works of Shakspeare, or an intimation in any thing which we know of his life, to show that he felt and exulted in his strength, and indulged the dream of his immortal honors. His plays are evidently written with haste and carelessness; he took no pains for their accurate preservation; and they have reached us with doubtless many additions and alterations by other hands. Shakspeare early felt "That dear necessity of being loved ;" And although disappointed in his domestic affections, he does not appear to have resorted to those solaces of ambition and fame, "That cheer the poverty of desert hearts." Perhaps this absence of all affectation of a great name and of the conscious display of genius, is one of the secrets of the power of the great Poet of Human Nature. With regard to the labor of men of genius: although they are not exempted from the toils of acquisition, they are above the necessity of plodding. They gather and arrange facts, and arrive at the conclusions, more rapidly than the generality of men. Although, a precocious memory in a child is not the best assurance of genius; yet, on the other hand, it is true, with rare exceptions, that men of genius have great memories. They may not be idle, though their labors have not the arrangement and regularity of others. They may become slothful and negligent, and fail of attaining the just measure of their superiority; but point out, if you can, any man of this description, whose curiosity and love of knowledge have not led him to to acquire enough to make himself known, if not so well known as he should be. Genius and acquisition naturally belong together. Milton was the greatest scholar of his age. One might suppose that Byron, if any body, lived without acquirement and study; but we learn the contrary, from his biography. His reading was desultory, but vast. Excepting in the exact sciences, he was one of the best informed men of his day. Labor does not make the man of genius; but he derives as much more advantage from it than others, as his native mind is greater than theirs. But are circumstances of no account, as you before said? the objector may ask. I did not say they were of no account. I said they had nothing to do with creating those powers of mind which are summed up in the word genius. Circumstances can do a great deal; they can depress the truly noble, and cover them with neglect and obloquy; they can raise the little, the sordid, the base, to high distinction, and keep them there; they can confer and take away wealth, reputation, power; they can favor or retard the advancement of those who must advance without them, or in spite of them; but they cannot make the great heart, the unconquerable will, the creative imagination, the comprehensive understanding. These divine endowments cannot be wholly concealed or suppressed; and at some time or other, in some place or other, and in some way or other, will proclaim their own majesty, and command the world's reverence. Their possessor may have been the child of misfortune and penury, from the cradle to the grave; nay, he may have perished prematurely like Otway and Chatterton, in the desperation of physical want; but if the gift of God was in him, depend upon it, there was also a record of its power, which cannot be lost, before it was taken with him to another life. The hapless son of genius, to whom fortune denied his daily bread, may make such rich provision for posterity, in his undying works, that remote generations shall call him a benefactor, and consecrate his fame. But labor and circumstances did not make this man. Some one will say, it is a hard fate to which we are born; the vast majority, to mediocrity and even less. "Hath not the Such is our fate nevertheless. potter power over the clay, to make one vessel to honor and another to dishonor?" The decree of mere power may not justify to our minds, the way of our Maker; but if we look farther, we shall discern in this, as in all the other appointments of Providence, the purpose and the fulfilment of the greatest good. The endless variety of the natural world is not more necessary to the pleasure of the individual beings who inhabit it, than the diversity of their powers, conditions and employments is, to the greatest happiness of their greatest number. And after all, there is one great common ground of equality. The moral constitution of man, which gives him the perception of right and wrong, and makes him the just subject of a future retribution, redresses the balance of power, which might otherwise be disturbed by the preponderance of great abilities and thus the humblest man, who enjoys an inferior portion of his maker's best gifts, may raise himself to the higher degrees of moral excellence. The duties of justice, benevolence, and piety, are common to all, because all have the power to perform them; and the worth of the per |