ItwaspretendedbytheCoventGardenpeople，andsomeothersatthetime，thatMr。Kean”spopularitywasamereeffectofloveofnovelty，aninedays”wonder，liketherageafterMasterBetty”sacting，andwouldbeassoonover。Thecomparisondidnothold。MasterBetty”sactingwassofarwonderful，anddrewcrowdstoseeitasameresingularity，becausehewasaboy。Mr。Keanwasagrownman，andtherewasnoruleorprecedentestablishedintheordinarycourseofnaturewhysomeothermanshouldnotappearintragedyasgreatasJohnKemble。Farther，MasterBetty”sactingwasasingularphenomenon，butitwasalsoasbeautifulasitwassingular。IsawhiminthepartofDouglas，andheseemedalmostlike”somegaycreatureoftheelement”movingaboutgracefully，withalltheflexibilityofyouth，andmurmuringAEoliansoundswithplaintivetenderness。IshallneverforgetthewayinwhichherepeatedthelineinwhichyoungNorvalsays，speakingofthefateoftwobrothers：
Andinmymindhappywashethatdied！
Thetonesfellandseemedtolingerpropheticonmyear。Perhapsthewonderwasmadegreaterthanitwas。Boysatthatagecanoftenreadremarkablywell，andcertainlyarenotwithoutnaturalgraceandsweetnessofvoice。TheWestminsterschoolboysareabettercompanyofcomediansthanwefindatmostofourtheatres。AstotheunderstandingapartlikeDouglas，atleast，Iseenodifficultyonthatscore。I
myselfusedtorecitethespeechinEnfield”s_Speaker_withgoodemphasisanddiscretionwhenatschool，andentered，aboutthesameage，intothewildsweetnessofthesentimentsinMrs。Radcliffe”s_RomanceoftheForest_，Iamsure，quiteasmuchasIshoulddonow；yetthesameexperimenthasbeenoftentriedsinceandhasuniformlyfailed。[3]
ItwassoonafterthisthatColeridgereturnedfromItaly，andhegotonedayintoalongtiradetoexplainwhataridiculousfarcethewholewas，andhowallthepeopleabroadworeshockedatthe_gullibility_oftheEnglishnation，whoonthisandeveryotheroccasionwereopentotheartificesofallsortsofquacks，wonderinghowanypersonswiththesmallestpretensionstocommonsensecouldforamomentsupposethataboycouldactthecharactersofmenwithoutanyoftheirknowledge，theirexperience，ortheirpassions。Wemadesomefaintresistance，butinvain。Thediscoursethentookaturn，andColeridgebeganalabouredeulogyonsomepromisingyouth，thesonofanEnglishartist，whomhehadmetinItaly，andwhohadwanderedallovertheCampagnawithhim，whosetalents，heassuredus，weretheadmirationofallRome，andwhoseearlydesignshadalmostallthegraceandpurityofRaphael”s。Atlast，someoneinterruptedtheendlessthemebysayingalittleimpatiently，”WhyjustnowyouwouldnotletusbelieveourowneyesandearsaboutyoungBetty，becauseyouhaveatheoryagainstprematuretalents，andnowyoustartaboyphenomenonthatnobodyknowsanythingaboutbutyourself——ayoungartistthat，youtellus，istorivalRaphael！”Thetruthis，weliketohavesomethingtoadmireourselves，aswellastomakeotherpeoplegapeandstareat；butthenitmustbeadiscoveryofourown，anidolofourownmakingandsettingup：——ifothersstumbleonthediscoverybeforeus，orjoinincryingituptotheskies，wethensettoworktoprovethatthisisavulgardelusion，andshowoursagacityandfreedomfromprejudicebypullingitinpieceswithallthecoolnessimaginable。Whetherweblowthebubbleorcrushitinourhands，vanityandthedesireofemptydistinctionareequallyatthebottomofoursanguinecredulityorfastidiousscepticism。Therearesomewhoalwaysfallinwiththefashionableprejudiceasothersaffectsingularityofopiniononallsuchpoints，accordingastheythinktheyhavemoreorlesswittojudgeforthemselves。
Ifalittlevarnishinganddaubing，alittlepuffingandquacking，andgivingyourselfagoodname，andgettingafriendtospeakawordforyou，isexcusableinanyprofession，itis，Ithink，inthatofpainting。Paintingisanoccultscience，andrequiresalittleostentationandmock-gravityintheprofessor。AmanmayhererivalKatterfelto，”withhishaironendathisownwonders，wonderingforhisbread”；for，ifhedoesnot，hemayintheendgowithoutit。Hemayrideonahigh-trottinghorse，ingreenspectacles，andattractnoticetohispersonanyhowhecan，ifheonlyworkshardathisprofession。
If”itonlyiswhenheis_out_heisacting”lethimmakethefoolsstare，butgiveotherssomethingworthlookingat。GoodMr。CarverandGilder，goodMr。Printer”sDevil，goodMr。Billsticker，”domeyouroffices”unmolested！Paintingisaplainground，andrequiresagreatmanyheraldicquarteringsandfacingstosetitoff。Layon，anddonotspare。Noman”smeritcanbefairlyjudgedofifheisnotknown；andhowcanhebeknownifhekeepsentirelyinthebackground？[4]Agreatnameinartgoesbutalittleway，ischilledasitcreepsalongthesurfaceoftheworldwithoutsomethingtoreviveandmakeitblazeupwithfreshsplendour。Fameisherealmostobscurity。Itislongbeforeyournameaffixedtoasterlingdesignwillbespeltoutbyanundiscerningregardlesspublic。Haveitproclaimed，therefore，asanecessaryprecaution，bysoundoftrumpetatthecornersofthestreet，letitbestuckasalabelinyourmouth，carryitonaplacardatyourback。Otherwise，theworldwillnevertroublethemselvesaboutyou，orwillverysoonforgetyou。Acelebratedartistofthepresentday，whosenameisengravedatthebottomofsomeofthemosttouchingspecimensofEnglishart，oncehadaframe-makercallonhim，who，onenteringhisroom，exclaimedwithsomesurprise，”What，areyouapainter，sir？”Theothermadeanswer，alittlestartledinhisturn，”Why，didn”tyouknowthat？Didyouneverseemynameatthebottomofprints？”Hecouldnotrecollectthathehad。”Andyetyousellpicture-framesandprints？”——”Yes。”——”Whatpainter”snames，then，didherecollect：didheknowWest”s？””Oh！yes。”——”AndOpie”s？””Yes。”——”AndFuseli”s？””Oh！yes。”——”Butyouneverheardofme？””IcannotsaythatIeverdid！”ItwasplainfromthisconversationthatMr。Northcotehadnotkeptcompanyenoughwithpicture-dealersandnewspapercritics。Onanotheroccasion，acountrygentleman，whowassittingtohimforhisportrait，askedhimifhehadanypicturesintheExhibitionatSomersetHouse，andonhisreplyingintheaffirmative，desiredtoknowwhattheywere。Hementioned，amongothers，TheMarriageofTwoChildren；onwhichthegentlemanexpressedgreatsurprise，andsaidthatwastheverypicturehiswifewasalwaysteasinghimtogoandhaveanotherlookat，thoughhehadnevernoticedthepainter”sname。Whenthepublicaresoeagertobeamused，andcaresolittlewhoitisthatamusesthem，itisnotamisstoremindthemofitnowandthen；oreventohaveastarlingtaughttorepeatthename，towhichtheyowesuchmisprisedobligations，intheirdrowsyears。OnanyotherprincipleIcannotconceivehowpainters(notwithoutgeniusorindustry)canflingthemselvesattheheadofthepublicinthemannertheydo，havingliveswrittenofthemselves，bustsmadeofthemselves，printsstuckintheshop-windowsofthemselves，andtheirnamesplacedin”thefirstrowoftherubric”
withthoseofRubens，Raphael，andMichaelAngelo，swearingbythemselvesortheirproxiesthattheseglorifiedspiritswoulddowelltoleavetheabodesoftheblestinordertostandinmutewonderandwithupliftedhandsbeforesomeproductionoftheirswhichisyethardlydry！Oh！whateveryoudo，leavethatstringuntouched。Itwilljartherashandunhallowedhandthatmeddleswithit。Profanenotthemightydeadbymixingthemupwiththeuncanonisedliving。Leaveyourselfareversioninimmortality，beyondthenoisyclamouroftheday。Donotquiteloseyourrespectforpublicopinionbymakingitinallcasesapalpablecheat，theechoofyourownlungsthatarehoarsewithcallingontheworldtoadmire。Donotthinktobullyposterity，ortocozenyourcontemporaries。Benotalwaysanticipatingtheeffectofyourpictureonthetown——thinkmoreaboutdeservingsuccessthancommandingit。Inissuingsomanypromissorynotesuponthebankoffame，donotforgetyouhavetopayinsterlinggold。Believethatthereissomethinginthepursuitofhighart，beyondthemanufactureofaparagraphorthecollectionofreceiptsatthedoorofanexhibition。
Venerateartasart。Studytheworksofothers，andinquireintothoseofnature。Gazeatbeauty。Becomegreatbygreatefforts，andnotbypompouspretensions。Donotthinktheworldwasblindtomeritbeforeyourtime，normakethereputationofgreatgeniusesthestalking-horsetoyourvanity。Youhavedoneenoughtoinsureyourselfattention：youhavenowonlytodosomethingtodeserveit，andtomakegoodallthatyouhaveaspiredtodo。
Thereisasilentandsystematicassumptionofsuperioritywhichisasbarefacedandunprincipledanimpostureasthemostimpudentpuffing。
Youmay，byatacitoravowedcensureonallotherarts，onallworksofart，onallotherpretensions，tastes，talents，butyourown，produceacompleteostracismintheworldofintellect，andleaveyourselfandyourownperformancesalonestanding，amightymonumentinanuniversalwasteandwreckofgenius。Bycuttingawaytherudeblockandremovingtherubbishfromaroundit，theidolmaybeeffectuallyexposedtoview，placedonitspedestalofpride，withoutanyotherassistance。Thismethodismoreinexcusablethantheother。Forthereisnoegotismorvanitysohatefulasthatwhichstrikesatoursatisfactionineverythingelse，andderivesitsnourishmentfrompreying，likethevampire，onthecarcaseofothers”reputation。Iwouldrather，inaword，thatamanshouldtalkforeverofhimselfwithvapid，senselessassurance，thanpreserveamalignant，heartlesssilencewhenthemeritofarivalismentioned。Ihaveseeninstancesofboth，andcanjudgeprettywellbetweenthem。
Thereisnogreatharminputtingforwardone”sownpretensions(ofwhateverkind)ifthisdoesnotbearasour，malignantaspecttowardsothers。Everyonesetshimselfofftothebestadvantagehecan，andtriestostealamarchuponpublicopinion。Inthissense，too，”alltheworld”sastage，andallthemenandwomenmerelyplayers。”Lifeitselfisapieceofharmlessquackery。Agreathouseoveryourheadisofnousebuttoannouncethegreatmanwithin。Dress，equipage，title，livery-servantsareonlysomanyquackadvertisementsandassumptionsofthequestionofmerit。Thestarthatglittersatthebreastwouldbeworthnothingbutasabadgeofpersonaldistinction；andthecrownitselfisbutasymbolofthevirtueswhichthepossessorinheritsfromalonglineofillustriousancestors！Howmuchhonourandhonestyhavebeenforfeitedtobegracedwithatitleoraribbon；howmuchgeniusandworthhavesunktothegravewithoutanescutcheonandwithoutanepitaph！
Asmenofrankandfortunekeeplackeystoreinforcetheirclaimstoself-respect，somenofgeniussometimessurroundthemselveswithacoterieofadmirerstoincreasetheirreputationwiththepublic。These_proneurs，_orsatellites，repeatalltheirgoodthings，laughloudatalltheirjokes，andrememberalltheiroraculardecrees。Theyaretheirshadowsandechoes。Theytalkoftheminallcompanies，andbringbackwordofallthathasbeensaidaboutthem。Theyhawkthegoodqualitiesoftheirpatronsasshopmenand_barkers_teaseyoutobuygoods。Ihavenonotionofthisvanityatsecond-hand；norcanIseehowthisserviletestimonyfrominferiors(”somefollowersofmineown”)
canbeaproofofmerit。Itmaysoothetheear，butthatitshouldimposeontheunderstanding，Iown，surprisesme；yettherearepersonswhocannotexistwithouta_cortege_ofthiskindaboutthem，inwhichtheysmilingreadtheopinionoftheworld，inthemidstofallsortsofrancorousabuseandhostility，asOthocalledforhismirrorintheIllyrianfield。Onegoodthingis，thatthisevil，insomedegree，curesitself；andwhenamanhasbeennearlyruinedbyaherdofthesesycophants，hefindsthemleavinghim，likethriftlessdependants，forsomemoreeligiblesituation，carryingawaywiththemallthetattletheycanpickup，andsomeleft-offsuitoffinery。ThesamepronenesstoadulationwhichmadethemlickthedustbeforeoneidolmakesthembowaslowtotherisingSun；theyareaslavishofdetractionastheywereprurientwithpraise；andthe_protege_andadmireroftheeditorofthe——figuresinBlackwood”strain。Themanisalackey，anditisoflittleconsequencewhoseliveryhewears！
Iwouldadvisethosewhovolunteertheofficeofpuffingtogothewholelengthofit。Nohalf-measureswilldo。Layitonthickandthreefold，ornotatall。Ifyouareonceharnessedintothatvehicle，itwillbeinvainforyoutothinkofstopping。Youmustdrivetothedevilatonce。ThemightyTamburlane，towhosecaryouareyoked，criesout：
Holloa，youpamper”djadesofAsia，Canyounotdrivebuttwentymilesaday？
Hehasyouonthehip，foryouhavepledgedyourtasteandjudgmenttohisgenius。Neverfearbuthewilldrivethiswedge。Ifyouareoncescrewedintosuchamachine，youmustextricateyourselfbymainforce。
Nohyperbolesaretoomuch：anydrawback，anyadmirationonthissideidolatry，ishightreason。Itisanunpardonableoffencetosaythatthelastproductionofyourpatronisnotsogoodastheonebeforeit，orthataperformershinesmoreinonecharacterthananother。I
rememberoncehearingaplayerdeclarethatheneverlookedintoanynewspapersormagazinesonaccountoftheabusethatwasalwayslevelledathimselfinthem，thoughtherewerenotlessthanthreepersonsincompanywhomadeittheirbusinessthroughtheseconduitpipesoffameto”cryhimuptothetopofthecompass。”Thissortofexpectationisalittle_exigeante！_
Onefashionablemodeofacquiringreputationisbypatronisingit。Thismaybefromvariousmotives——realgoodnature，goodtaste，vanity，orpride。Ishallonlyspeakofthespuriousonesinthisplace。Thequackandthe_would-be_patronarewellmet。Thehouseofthelatterisasortofcuriosityshopor_menagerie，_whereallsortsofintellectualpretendersandgrotesques，musicalchildren，arithmeticalprodigies，occultphilosophers，lecturers，_accoucheurs，_apes，chemists，fiddlers，andbuffoonsaretobeseenfortheasking，andareshowntothecompanyfornothing。Thefoldingdoorsarethrownopen，anddisplayacollectionthattheworldcannotparallelagain。Theremaybeafewpersonsofcommonsenseandestablishedreputation，_rarinantesingurgitevasto，_otherwiseitisamerescrambleorlottery。
Theprofessedencouragerof_virtu_andletters，beingdisappointedofthegreatnames，sendsoutintothehighwaysforthehalt，thelame，andtheblind，forallwhopretendtodistinction，defects，andobliquities，forallthedisposablevanityoraffectationfloatingonthetown，inhopesthat，amongsomanyoddities，chancemaybringsomejewelortreasuretohisdoor，whichhemayhavethegoodfortunetoappropriateinsomewaytohisownuse，orthecreditofdisplayingtoothers。Theartistoencouragerisinggenius——tobringforwarddoubtfulandunnoticedmerit。Youthusgetasetofnovicesandrawpretendersaboutyou，whoseactualproductionsdonotinterferewithyourself-love，andwhosefutureeffortsmayreflectcreditonyoursingularsagacityandfacultyforfindingouttalentinthegerm；andinthenextplace，byhavingthemcompletelyinyourpower，youareatlibertytodismissthemwheneveryouwill，andtosupplythedeficiencybyanewsetofwondering，unwashedfacesinarapidsuccession；an”aieryofchildren”
embryoactors，artists，poets，orphilosophers。Likeunfledgedbirds，theyarehatched，nursed，andfedbyhand：thisgivesroomforavastdealofmanagement，meddling，care，andcondescendingsolicitude；buttheinstantthecallowbroodarefledged，theyaredrivenfromthenest，andforcedtoshiftforthemselvesinthewideworld。Onesterlingproductiondecidesthequestionbetweenthemandtheirpatrons，andfromthattimetheybecomethepropertyofthepublic。Thusasuccessionofimportunate，hungry，idle，overweeningcandidatesforfameareencouragedbytheseficklekeepers，onlytobebetrayed，andlefttostarveorbeg，orpineinobscurity，whilethemanofmeritandrespectabilityisneglected，discountenanced，andstigmatised，becausehewillnotlendhimselfasatooltothissystemofsplendidimposition，orpampertheluxuryandweaknessesoftheVulgarGreat。
Whenayoungartististooindependenttosubscribetothedogmasofhissuperiors，orfulfilstheirpredictionsandprognosticsofwonderfulcontingenttalenttoosoon，soastogetoutofleading-strings，andleanonpublicopinionforpartialsupport，exceptionsaretakentohisdress，dialect，ormanners，andheisexpelledthecirclewithacharacterforingratitudeandtreachery。Nonecanprocuretolerationlongbutthosewhodonotcontradicttheopinionsorexcitethejealousyoftheirbetters。Oneindependentstepisanappealfromthemtothepublic，theirnaturalandhatedrivals，andannulsthecontractbetweenthem，whichimpliesostentatiouscountenanceontheonepartandservilesubmissionontheother。Butenoughofthis。
Thepatronageofmenoftalent，evenwhenitproceedsfromvanity，isoftencarriedonwithaspiritofgenerosityandmagnificence，aslongastheseareindifficultiesandastateofdependence；butastheprincipleofactioninthiscaseisaloveofpower，thecomplacencyintheobjectoffriendlyregardceaseswiththeopportunityornecessityforthesamemanifestdisplayofpower；andwhentheunfortunate_protege_isjustcomingtoland，andexpectsalasthelpinghand，heis，tohissurprise，pushedback，inorderthathemaybesavedfromdrowningoncemore。Youarenothailedashore，asyouhadsupposed，bythesekindfriends，asamutualtriumphafterallyourstrugglesandtheirexertionsinyourbehalf。Itisapieceofpresumptioninyoutobeseenwalkingon_terrafirma_：youarerequired，attheriskoftheirfriendship，tobealwaysswimmingintroubledwaters，thattheymayhavethecreditofthrowingoutropes，andsendingoutlifeboatstoyou，withouteverbringingyouashore。Yoursuccesses，yourreputation，whichyouthinkwouldpleasethem，asjustifyingtheirgoodopinion，arecoldlyreceived，andlookedataskance，becausetheyremoveyourdependenceonthem：ifyouareunderacloud，theydoalltheycantokeepyoutherebytheirgoodwill：theyaresosensibleofyourgratitudethattheywishyourobligationsnevertocease，andtakecareyoushallowenooneelseagoodturn；andprovidedyouarecompelledorcontentedtoremainalwaysinpoverty，obscurity，anddisgrace，theywillcontinueyourverygoodfriendsandhumbleservantstocommand，totheendofthechapter。Thetenureoftheseindenturesishard。Suchpersonswillwilfullyforfeitthegratitudecreatedbyyearsoffriendship，byrefusingtoperformthelastactofkindnessthatislikelyevertobedemandedofthem：willlendyoumoney，ifyouhavenochanceofrepayingthem：willgiveyoutheirgoodword，ifnobodywillbelieveit；andtheonlythingtheydonotforgiveisanattemptorprobabilityonyourpartofbeingabletorepayyourobligations。Thereissomethingdisinterestedinallthis：atleast，itdoesnotshowacowardlyormercenarydisposition，butitsavourstoomuchofarroganceandarbitrarypretension。Itthrowsadamninglightonthisquestion，toconsiderwhoaremostlythesubjectsofthepatronageofthegreat，andinthehabitofreceivingcardsofinvitationtosplendiddinners。I
confess，forone，Iamnotonthelist；atwhichIdonotgrievemuch，norwonderatall。Authors，ingeneral，arenotinmuchrequest。Dr。
Johnsonwasaskedwhyhewasnotmorefrequentlyinvitedout；andhesaid，”Becausegreatlordsandladiesdonotliketohavetheirmouthsstopped。”Garrickwasnotinthispredicament：hecouldamusethecompanyinthedrawing-roombyimitatingthegreatmoralistandlexicographer，andmakethenegro-boyinthecourtyarddiewithlaughingtoseehimtakeofftheswellingairsandstrutoftheturkey-cock。
Thiswascleverandamusing，butitdidnotinvolveanopinion，itdidnotleadtoadifferenceofsentiment，inwhichtheownerofthehousemightbefoundinthewrong。Players，singers，dancers，arehandandglovewiththegreat。Theyembellish，andhavean_eclat_intheirnames，butdonotcomeintocollision。Eminentportrait-painters，again，aretolerated，becausetheycomeintopersonalcontactwiththegreat；andsculptorsholdequalitywithlordswhentheyhaveacertainquantityofsolidmarbleintheirworkshopstoanswerforthesolidityoftheirpretensions。Peopleoffashionandpropertymusthavesomethingtoshowfortheirpatronage，somethingvisibleortangible。A
sentimentisavisionarything；anargumentmayleadtodangerousconsequences，andthosewhoarelikelytobroacheitheroneortheotheratenot，therefore，fitforgoodcompanyingeneral。Poetsandmenofgeniuswhofindtheirwaythere，soonfindtheirwayout。Theyarenotofthatilk，withsomeexceptions。Painterswhocomeincontactwithmajestygetonbyservilityorbuffoonery，bylettingthemselvesdowninsomeway。SirJoshuawasneverafavouriteatcourt。Hekepttoomuchatadistance。Beecheygainedavastdealoffavourbyfamiliarity，andlostitbytakingtoogreatfreedoms。[5]Westingratiatedhimselfinthesamequarterbymeansofpracticesaslittlecreditabletohimselfashisaugustemployer，namely，byplayingthehypocrite，andprofessingsentimentsthereverseofthosehenaturallyfelt。Kings(Iknownothowjustly)havebeensaidtobeloversoflowcompanyandlowconversation。Theyarealsosaidtobefondofdirtypracticaljokes。
Ifthefactisso，thereasonisasfollows。Fromtheelevationoftheirrank，aidedbyprideandflattery，theylookdownontherestofmankind，andwouldnotbethoughttohavealltheiradvantagesfornothing。Theywishtomaintainthesameprecedenceinprivatelifethatbelongstothemasamatterofoutwardceremony。Thispretensiontheycannotkeepupbyfairmeans；forinwitorargumenttheyarenotsuperiortothecommonrunofmen。Theythereforeanswerareparteebyapracticaljoke，whichturnsthelaughagainstothers，andcannotberetaliatedwithsafety。Thatis，theyavailthemselvesoftheprivilegeoftheirsituationtotakeliberties，anddegradethoseaboutthem，astheycanonlykeepuptheideaoftheirowndignitybyproportionablyloweringtheircompany。
NOTEStoESSAYXIV
[1]ItiscalculatedthatWestclearedsomehundredpoundsbythecataloguesthatweresoldofhisgreatpictureofDeathridingonthePaleHorse。
[2]IcannotsayhowinthisrespectitmighthavefaredifaMr。
Mudford，afatgentleman，whomightnothave”likedyonleanandhungryRoscius”hadcontinuedinthetheatricaldepartmentofMr。Perry”spaperatthetimeofthisactor”sfirstappearance；butIhadbeenputuponthisdutyjustbefore，andafterwardsMr。Mudford”s_spare_talentswerenotinmuchrequest。This，Ibelieve，isthereasonwhyhetakespainseverynowandthentoinformthereadersofthe_Courier_thatitisimpossibleforanyonetounderstandawordthatIwrite。
[3]I(notverylongago)hadthepleasureofspendinganeveningwithMr。Betty，whenwehadsome”goodtalk”aboutthegoodoldtimesofacting。IwantedtoinsinuatethatIhadbeenasneakingadmirer，butcouldnotbringitin。As，however，wewereputtingonourgreatcoatsdownstairsIventuredtobreaktheicebysaying，”Thereisoneactorofthatperiodofwhomwehavenotmadehonourablemention，ImeanMasterBetty。””Oh！”hesaid，”Ihaveforgotallthat。”Ireplied，thathemight，butthatIcouldnotforgetthepleasureIhadhadinseeinghim。
Onwhichheturnedoff，and，shakinghissidesheartily，andwithnomeasureddemanduponhislungs，calledout，”Oh，memory！memory！”inawaythatshowedhefeltthefullforceoftheallusion。Ifoundafterwardsthatthesubjectdidnotoffend，andweweretohavedrunksomeBurtonaletogetherthefollowingevening，butwereprevented。I
hopehewillconsiderthattheengagementstillstandsgood。
[4]SirJoshua，whowasnotavainman，purchasedatawdrysheriff”scarriage，soonafterhetookhishouseinLeicesterFields，anddesiredhissistertorideaboutinit，inorderthatpeoplemightask，”Whoseitwas？”andtheanswerwouldbe，”Itbelongstothegreatpainter！”
[5]Sharpbecameagreatfavouriteofthekingonthefollowingoccasion。Itwasthecustom，whenthekingwentthroughthelobbiesofthepalace，forthosewhoprecededhimtocryout，”Sharp，sharp，looksharp！”inordertocleartheway。Mr。Sharp，whowaswaitinginaroomjustby(preparingsomecolours)，hearinghisnamerepeatedsourgently，ranoutingreathaste，andcameupwithallhisforceagainsttheking，whowaspassingthedooratthetime。Theyoungartistwasknockeddownintheencounter，andtheattendantswereinthegreatestconsternation；
butthekinglaughedheartilyattheadventure，andtookgreatnoticeoftheunfortunatesubjectofitfromthattimeforward。]
ESSAYXV
ONTHEKNOWLEDGEOFCHARACTER
Itisastonishing，withallouropportunitiesandpractice，howlittleweknowofthissubject。Formyself，IfeelthatthemoreIlearn，thelessIunderstandit。
Iremember，severalyearsago，aconversationinthediligencecomingfromParis，inwhich，onitsbeingmentionedthatamanhadmarriedhiswifeafterthirteenyears”courtship，afellow-countrymanofmineobserved，that”then，atleast，hewouldbeacquaintedwithhercharacter”；whenaMonsieurP——，inventorandproprietorofthe_InvisibleGirl，_madeanswer，”No，notatall；forthattheverynextdayshemightturnouttheveryreverseofthecharacterthatshehadappearedinduringalltheprecedingtime。”[1]IcouldnothelpadmiringthesuperiorsagacityoftheFrenchjuggler，anditstruckmethenthatwecouldneverbesurewhenwehadgotatthebottomofthisriddle。
Therearevariouswaysofgettingataknowledgeofcharacter——bylooks，words，actions。Thefirstofthese，whichseemsthemostsuperficial，isperhapsthesafest，andleastliabletodeceive：nay，itisthatwhichmankind，inspiteoftheirpretendingtothecontrary，mostgenerallygoby。Professionspassfornothing，andactionsmaybecounterfeited；butamancannothelphislooks。”Speech”saidacelebratedwit，”wasgiventomantoconcealhisthoughts。”YetIdonotknowthatthegreatesthypocritesaretheleastsilent。ThemouthofCromwellispursedupintheportraitsofhim，asifhewasafraidtotrusthimselfwithwords。LordChesterfieldadvisesus，ifwewishtoknowtherealsentimentsofthepersonweareconversingwith，tolookinhisface，forhecanmoreeasilycommandhiswordsthanhisfeatures。
Aman”swholelifemaybealietohimselfandothers；andyetapicturepaintedofhimbyagreatartistwouldprobablystamphistruecharacteronthecanvas，andbetraythesecrettoposterity。Men”sopinionsweredivided，intheirlifetimes，aboutsuchprominentpersonagesasCharlesV。andIgnatiusLoyola，partly，nodoubt，frompassionandinterest，butpartlyfromcontradictoryevidenceintheirostensibleconduct：thespectator，whohaseverseentheirpicturesbyTitian，judgesofthematonce，andtruly。Ihadratherleaveagoodportraitofmyselfbehindmethanhaveafineepitaph。Theface，forthemostpart，tellswhatwehavethoughtandfelt——therestisnothing。
IhaveahigherideaofDonnefromarude，half-effacedoutlineofhimprefixedtohispoemsthanfromanythingheeverwrote。Caesar”s_Commentaries_wouldnothaveredeemedhiminmyopinion，ifthebustofhimhadresembledtheDukeofWellington。MyoldfriendFawcettusedtosay，thatifSirIsaacNewtonhimselfhadlisped，hecouldnothavethoughtanythingofhim。SoIcannotpersuademyselfthatanyoneisagreatmanwholookslikeafool。InthisImaybewrong。
Firstimpressionsareoftenthetruest，aswefind(notunfrequently)toourcostwhenwehavebeenwheedledoutofthembyplausibleprofessionsoractions。Aman”slookistheworkofyears，itisstampedonhiscountenancebytheeventsofhiswholelife，nay，more，bythehandofnature，anditisnottobegotridofeasily。Thereis，asithasbeenremarkedrepeatedly，somethinginaperson”sappearanceatfirstsightwhichwedonotlike，andthatgivesusanoddtwinge，butwhichisoverlookedinamultiplicityofothercircumstances，tillthemaskistakenoff，andweseethislurkingcharacterverifiedintheplainestmannerinthesequel。Wearestruckatfirst，andbychance，withwhatispeculiarandcharacteristic；alsowithpermanent_traits_andgeneraleffect：thisafterwardsgoesoffinasetofunmeaning，common-placedetails。Thissortof_primafacie_evidence，then，showswhatamanisbetterthanwhathesaysordoes；foritshowsusthehabitofhismind，whichisthesameunderallcircumstancesanddisguises。Youwillsay，ontheotherhand，thatthereisnojudgingbyappearances，asageneralrule。Noone，forinstance，wouldtakesuchapersonforaveryclevermanwithoutknowingwhohewas。Then，tentoone，heisnot：hemayhavegotthereputation，butitisamistake。Yousay，thereisMr——
，undoubtedlyapersonofgreatgenius；yet，exceptwhenexcitedbysomethingextraordinary，heseemshalfdead。Hehaswitatwill，yetwantslifeandspirit。Heiscapableofthemostgenerousacts，yetmeannessseemstoclingtoeverymotion。Helookslikeapoorcreature——andintruthheisone！Thefirstimpressionhegivesyouofhimanswersnearlytothefeelinghehasofhispersonalidentity；andthisimageofhimself，risingfromhisthoughts，andshroudinghisfaculties，isthatwhichsitswithhiminthehouse，walksoutwithhimintothestreet，andhauntshisbedside。Thebestpartofhisexistenceisdull，cloudy，leaden：theflashesoflightthatproceedfromit，orstreakithereandthere，maydazzleothers，butdonotdeceivehimself。
Modestyisthelowestofthevirtues，andisarealconfessionofthedeficiencyitindicates。Hewhoundervalueshimselfisjustlyundervaluedbyothers。Whatevergoodpropertieshemaypossessare，infact，neutralisedbya”coldrheum”runningthroughhisveins，andtakingawaythezestofhispretensions，thepithandmarrowofhisperformances。WhatisittomethatIcanwritetheseTABLE-TALKS？ItistrueIcan，byareluctanteffort，rakeupaparcelofhalf-forgottenobservations，buttheydonotfloatonthesurfaceofmymind，norstiritwithanysenseofpleasure，norevenofpride。OthershavemorepropertyinthemthanIhave：theymayreapthebenefit，Ihaveonlyhadthepain。Otherwise，theyaretomeasiftheybadneverexisted；norshouldIknowthatIhadeverthoughtatall，butthatIamremindedofitbythestrangenessofmyappearance，andmyunfitnessforeverythingelse。LookinColeridge”sfacewhileheistalking。Hiswordsaresuchasmight”createasoulundertheribsofdeath。”Hisfaceisablank。
Whicharewetoconsiderasthetrueindexofhismind？Pain，languor，shadowyremembrances，aretheuneasyinmatesthere：hislipsmovemechanically！
Therearepeoplethatwedonotlike，thoughwemayhaveknownthemlong，andhavenofaulttofindwiththem，”theirappearance，aswesay，issomuchagainstthem。”Thatisnotall，ifwecouldfinditout。
Thereis，generally，areasonforthisprejudice；fornatureistruetoitself。Theymaybeverygoodsortofpeopletoo，intheirway，butstillsomethingisthematter。Thereisacoldness，aselfishness，alevity，aninsincerity，whichwecannotfixuponanyparticularphraseoraction，butweseeitintheirwholepersonsanddeportment。Onereasonthatwedonotseeitinanyotherwaymaybe，thattheyareallthetimetryingtoconcealthisdefectbyeverymeansintheirpower。
Thereis，luckily，asortof_secondsight_inmorals：wediscernthelurkingindicationsoftemperandhabitalongwhilebeforetheirpalpableeffectsappear。Ionceusedtomeetwithapersonatanordinary，averycivil，good-lookingmaninotherrespects，butwithanoddlookabouthiseyes，whichIcouldnotexplain，asifhesawyouundertheirfringedlids，andyoucouldnotseehimagain：thismanwasacommonsharper。ThegreatesthypocriteIeverknewwasalittle，demure，pretty，modest-lookinggirl，witheyestimidlycastupontheground，andanairsoftasenchantment；theonlycircumstancethatcouldleadtoasuspicionofhertruecharacterwasacold，sullen，watery，glazedlookabouttheeyes，whichshebentonvacancy，asifdeterminedtoavoidallexplanationwithyours。Imighthavespiedintheirglittering，motionlesssurfacetherocksandquicksandsthatawaitedmebelow！Wedonotfeelquiteateaseinthecompanyorfriendshipofthosewhohaveanynaturalobliquityorimperfectionofperson。Thereasonis，theyarenotonthebesttermswiththemselves，andaresometimesapttoplayoffonothersthetricksthatnaturehasplayedthem。This，however，isaremarkthat，perhaps，oughtnottohavebeenmade。Iknowapersontowhomithasbeenobjectedasadisqualificationforfriendship，thathenevershakesyoucordiallybythehand。Iownthisisadampertosanguineandfloridtemperaments，whoaboundinthesepracticaldemonstrationsand”complimentsextern。”
Thesamepersonwhotestifiestheleastpleasureatmeetingyou，isthelasttoquithisseatinyourcompany，grappleswithasubjectinconversationrightearnestly，andis，Itakeit，backwardtogiveupacauseorafriend。Coldanddistantinappearance，hepiqueshimselfonbeingthekingof_goodhaters，_andanolesszealouspartisan。Themostphlegmaticconstitutionsoftencontainthemostinflammablespirits——afireisstruckfromthehardestflints。
Andthisisanotherreasonthatmakesitdifficulttojudgeofcharacter。Extremesmeet；andqualitiesdisplaythemselvesbythemostcontradictoryappearances。Anyinclination，inconsequenceofbeinggenerallysuppressed，ventsitselfthemoreviolentlywhenanopportunitypresentsitself：thegreatestgrossnesssometimesaccompaniesthegreatestrefinement，asanaturalrelief，onetotheother；andwefindthemostreservedandindifferenttempersatthebeginningofanentertainment，oranacquaintance，turnoutthemostcommunicativeandcordialattheendofit。Somespiritsexhaustthemselvesatfirst：othersgainstrengthbyprogression。Somemindshaveagreaterfacilityofthrowingoffimpressions——are，asitwere，moretransparentorporousthanothers。ThustheFrenchpresentamarkedcontrasttotheEnglishinthisrespect。AFrenchmanaddressesyouatoncewithasortoflivelyindifference：anEnglishmanismoreonhisguard，feelshisway，andiseitherexceedinglyreserved，orletsyouintohiswholeconfidence，whichhecannotsowellimparttoanentirestranger。Again，aFrenchmanisnaturallyhumane：anEnglishmanis，Ishouldsay，onlyfriendlybyhabit。Hisvirtuesandhisvicescosthimmorethantheydohismoregayandvolatileneighbours。AnEnglishmanissaidtospeakhismindmoreplainlythanothers，——yes，ifitwillgiveyoupaintohearit。Hedoesnotcarewhomheoffendsbyhisdiscourse：aforeignergenerallystrivestoobligeinwhathesays。
TheFrenchareaccusedofpromisingmorethantheyperform。Thatmaybe，andyettheymayperformasmanygood-naturedactsastheEnglish，ifthelatterareasaversetoperformastheyaretopromise。EventheprofessionsoftheFrenchmaybesincereatthetime，orariseoutoftheimpulseofthemoment；thoughtheirdesiretoserveyoumaybeneitherveryviolentnorverylasting。Icannotthink，notwithstanding，thattheFrencharenotaseriouspeople；nay，thattheyarenotamorereflectingpeoplethanthecommonrunoftheEnglish。Letthosewhothinkthemmerelylightandmercurialexplainthatenigma，theireverlastingprosingtragedy。TheEnglishareconsideredascomparativelyaslow，ploddingpeople。IftheFrencharequicker，theyarealsomoreplodding。See，forexample，howhighlyfinishedandelaboratetheirworksofartare！Howsystematicandcorrecttheyaimatbeinginalltheirproductionsofagravercast！”IftheFrenchhaveafault”asYoricksaid，”itisthattheyaretoograve。”Withwit，sense，cheerfulness，patience，good-nature，andrefinementofmanners，alltheywantisimaginationandsturdinessofmoralprinciple！Sucharesomeofthecontradictionsinthecharacterofthetwonations，andsolittledoesthecharacterofeitherappeartohavebeenunderstood！
Nothingcanbemoreridiculousindeedthanthewayinwhichweexaggerateeachother”svicesandextenuateourown。Thewholeisanaffairofprejudiceononesideofthequestion，andofpartialityontheother。Travellerswhosetouttocarrybackatruereportofthecaseappeartolosenotonlytheuseoftheirunderstandings，butoftheirsenses，theinstanttheysetfootinaforeignland。Thecommonestfactsandappearancesaredistortedanddiscoloured。Theygoabroadwithcertainpreconceivednotionsonthesubject，andtheymakeeverythinganswer，inreason”sspite，totheirfavouritetheory。Inadditiontothedifficultyofexplainingcustomsandmannersforeigntoourown，therearealltheobstaclesofwilfulprepossessionthrownintheway。Itisnot，therefore，muchtobewonderedatthatnationshavearrivedatsolittleknowledgeofoneanother”scharacters；andthat，wheretheobjecthasbeentowidenthebreachbetweenthem，anyslightdifferencesthatoccurareeasilyblownintoablazeoffurybyrepeatedmisrepresentations，andalltheexaggerationsthatmaliceorfollycaninvent！
Thisignoranceofcharacterisnotconfinedtoforeignnations：weareignorantofthatofourowncountrymeninaclassalittlebeloworaboveourselves。Weshallhardlypretendtopronouncemagisteriallyonthegoodorbadqualitiesofstrangers；and，atthesametime，weareignorantofthoseofourfriends，ofourkindred，andofourown。Weareinallthesecaseseithertoonearortoofarofftheobjecttojudgeofitproperly。
Persons，forinstance，inahigherormiddlerankoflifeknowlittleornothingofthecharactersofthosebelowthem，asservants，countrypeople，etc。Iwouldlayitdowninthefirstplaceasageneralruleonthissubject，thatalluneducatedpeoplearehypocrites。Theirsolebusinessistodeceive。Theyconceivethemselvesinastateofhostilitywithothers，andstratagemsarefairinwar。Theinmatesofthekitchenandtheparlourarealways(asfarasrespectstheirfeelingsandintentionstowardseachother)inHobbes”s；”stateofnature。”Servantsandothersinthatlineoflifehavenothingtoexercisetheirsparetalentsforinventionuponbutthoseaboutthem。
Theirsuperfluouselectricalparticlesofwitandfancyarenotcarriedoffbythoseestablishedandfashionableconductors，novelsandromances。Theirfacultiesarenotburiedinbooks，butallaliveandstirring，erectandbristlinglikeacat”sback。Theircoarseconversationsparkleswith”wildwit，inventionevernew。”Theirbetterstryalltheycantosetthemselvesupabovethem，andtheytryalltheycantopullthemdowntotheirownlevel。Theydothisbygettingupalittlecomicinterlude，adaily，domestic，homelydramaoutoftheoddsandendsofthefamilyfailings，ofwhichthereisingeneralaprettyplentifulsupply，ormakeupthedeficiencyofmaterialsoutoftheirownheads。Theyturnthequalitiesoftheirmastersandmistressesinsideout，andanyrealkindnessorcondescensiononlysetsthemthemoreagainstyou。Theyarenottobetakeninthatway——theywillnotbebaulkedinthespitetheyhavetoyou。Theyonlysettoworkwithredoubledalacrity，tolessenthefavourortoblackenyourcharacter。Theyfeelthemselveslikeadegraded_caste，_andcannotunderstandhowtheobligationscanbeallononeside，andtheadvantagesallontheother。Youcannotcometoequaltermswiththem——theyrejectallsuchoverturesasinsidiousandhollow——norcanyouevercalculateupontheirgratitudeorgoodwill，anymorethaniftheyweresomanystrollingGipsiesorwildIndians。Theyhavenofellow-feeling，theykeepnofaithwiththemoreprivilegedclasses。Theyareinyourpower，andtheyendeavourtobeevenwithyoubytrickandcunning，bylyingandchicanery。Inthistheyhavenothingtorestrainthem。Theirwholelifeisasuccessionofshifts，excuses，andexpedients。Theloveoftruthisaprinciplewiththoseonlywhohavemadeittheirstudy，whohaveappliedthemselvestothepursuitofsomeartorscience，wheretheintellectisseverelytasked，andlearnsbyhabittotakeapridein，andtosetajustvalueon，thecorrectnessofitsconclusions。Tohaveadisinterestedregardtotruth，themindmusthavecontemplateditinabstractandremotequestions；whereastheignorantandvulgarareonlyconversantwiththosethingsinwhichtheirowninterestisconcerned。Alltheirnotionsarelocal，personal，andconsequentlygrossandselfish。Theysaywhatevercomesuppermost——turnwhateverhappenstotheirownaccount——andinventanystory，orgiveanyanswerthatsuitstheirpurposes。Insteadofbeingbigotedtogeneralprinciples，theytrumpupanyliefortheoccasion，andthemoreofa_thumper_itis，thebettertheylikeit；themoreunlooked-foritis，why，somuchthemoreofa_God-send！_Theyhavenoconscienceaboutthematter；andifyoufindthemoutinanyoftheirmanoeuvres，arenotashamedofthemselves，butangrywithyou。Ifyouremonstratewiththem，theylaughinyourface。Theonlyholdyouhaveofthemistheirinterest——youcanbutdismissthemfromyouremployment；and_serviceisnoinheritance。_Iftheyeffectanythinglikedecentremorse，andhopeyouwillpassitover，allthewhiletheyareprobablytryingtorecoverthewindofyou。Personsofliberalknowledgeorsentimentshavenokindofchanceinthissortofmixedintercoursewiththesebarbariansincivilisedlife。Youcannottell，byanysignsorprinciples，whatispassingintheirminds。Thereisnocommonpointofviewbetweenyou。
Youhavenotthesametopicstoreferto，thesamelanguagetoexpressyourself。Yourinterests，yourfeelingsarequitedistinct。Youtakecertainthingsforgrantedasrulesofaction：theytakenothingforgrantedbuttheirownends，pickupalltheirknowledgeoutoftheirownoccasions，areonthewatchonlyforwhattheycancatch——areSubtleasthefoxforprey：
Likewarlikeasthewolf，forwhattheyeat。
Theyhaveindeedaregardtotheircharacter，asthislastmayaffecttheirlivelihoodoradvancement，noneasitisconnectedwithasenseofpropriety；andthissetstheirmother-witandnativetalentsatworkuponadoublefileofexpedients，tobilktheirconsciences，andsalvetheirreputation。Inshort，youneverknowwheretohavethem，anymorethaniftheywereofadifferentspeciesofanimals；andintrustingtothem，youaresuretobebetrayedandoverreached。Youhaveotherthingstomind；theyarethinkingonlyofyou，andhowtoturnyoutoadvantage。_Giveandtake_isnomaximhere。Youcanbuildnothingonyourownmoderationorontheirfalsedelicacy。Afterafamiliarconversationwithawaiteratatavern，youoverhearhimcallingyoubysomeprovokingnickname。Ifyoumakeapresenttothedaughterofthehousewhereyoulodge，themotherissuretorecollectsomeadditiontoherbill。Itisarunningfight。Infact，thereisaprincipleinhumannaturenotwillinglytoenduretheideaofasuperior，asour，jacobinicaldispositiontowipeoutthescoreofobligation，oreffacethetinselofexternaladvantages——andwhereothershavetheopportunityofcomingincontactwithus，theygenerallyfindthemeanstoestablishasufficientlymarkeddegreeofdegradingequality。Nomanisaherotohisvalet-de-chambre，isanoldmaxim。Anewillustrationofthisprincipleoccurredtheotherday。WhileMrs。SiddonswasgivingherreadingsofShakespeartoabrilliantandadmiringdrawing-room，oneoftheservantsinthehallbelowwassaying，”What，Ifindtheoldladyismakingasmuchnoiseasever！”Solittleisthereincommonbetweenthedifferentclassesofsociety，andsoimpossibleisitevertounitethediversitiesofcustomandknowledgewhichseparatethem。
Women，accordingtoMrs。Peachum，are”bitterbadjudges”ofthecharactersofmen；andmenarenotmuchbetteroftheirs，ifwecanformanyguessfromtheirchoiceinmarriage。Loveisproverbiallyblind。
Thewholeisanaffairofwhimandfancy。Certainitisthatthegreatestfavouriteswiththeothersexarenotthosewhoaremostlikedorrespectedamongtheirown。Ineverknewbutoneclevermanwhowaswhatiscalleda_lady”sman；_andhe(unfortunatelyfortheargument)
happenedtobeaconsiderablecoxcomb。Itwasbythisirresistiblequality，andnotbytheforceofhisgenius，thathevanquished。Womenseemtodoubttheirownjudgmentsinlove，andtotaketheopinionwhichamanentertainsofhisownprowessandaccomplishmentsforgranted。
Thewivesofpoetsare(forthemostpart)merepiecesoffurnitureintheroom。Ifyouspeaktothemoftheirhusbands”talentsorreputationintheworld，itisasifyoumadementionofsomeofficethattheyheld。Itcanhardlybeotherwise，whentheinstantanysubjectisstartedorconversationarises，inwhichmenareinterested，ortryoneanother”sstrength，thewomenleavetheroom，orattendtosomethingelse。Thequalities，then，inwhichmenareambitioustoexcel，andwhichensuretheapplauseoftheworld，——eloquence，genius，learning，integrity，——arenotthosewhichgainthefavourofthefair。Imustnotdeny，however，thatwitandcouragehavethiseffect。Neitherisyouthorbeautythesolepassporttotheiraffections。
Thewayofwoman”swillishardtofind，Hardertohit。
Yetthereissomecluetothismystery，somedeterminingcause；forwefindthatthesamemenareuniversalfavouriteswithwomen，asothersareuniformlydislikedbythem。Isnottheloadstonethatattractssopowerfully，andinallcircumstances，astrongandundisguisedbiastowardsthem，amarkedattention，aconsciouspreferenceofthemtoeveryotherpassingobjectortopic？Iamnotsure，butIinclinetothinkso。Thesuccessfulloveristhe_cavalierservente_ofallnations。Themanofgallantrybehavesasifhehadmadeanassignationwitheverywomanheaddresses。Anargumentimmediatelydrawsoffmyattentionfromtheprettiestwomanintheroom。Iaccordinglysucceedbetterinargument——thaninlove！——Idonotthinkthatwhatiscalled_Loveatfirstsight_issogreatanabsurdityasitissometimesimaginedtobe。Wegenerallymakeupourmindsbeforehandtothesortofpersonweshouldlike，——graveorgay，black，brown，orfair；withgoldentressesorwithravenlocks；——andwhenwemeetwithacompleteexampleofthequalitiesweadmire，thebargainissoonstruck。Wehaveneverseenanythingtocomeuptoournewly-discoveredgoddessbefore，butsheiswhatwehavebeenallourliveslookingfor。Theidolwefalldownandworshipisanimagefamiliartoourminds。Ithasbeenpresenttoourwakingthoughts，ithashauntedusinourdreams，likesomefairyvision。Oh！thouwho，thefirsttimeIoverbeheldthee，didstdrawmysoulintothecircleofthyheavenlylooks，andwaveenchantmentroundme，donotthinkthyconquestlesscompletebecauseitwasinstantaneous；forinthatgentleform(asifanotherImogenhadentered)IsawallthatIhadeverlovedoffemalegrace，modesty，andsweetness！
Ishallnotsaymuchoffriendshipasgivinganinsightintocharacter，becauseitisoftenfoundedonmutualinfirmitiesandprejudices。
Friendshipsarefrequentlytakenuponsomesuddensympathy，andweseeonlyasmuchaswepleaseofoneanother”scharactersafterwards。
Intimatefriendsarenotfairwitnessestocharacter，anymorethanprofessedenemies。Theycool，indeed，intime，part，andretainonlyaranklinggrudgeofpasterrorsandoversights。Theirtestimonyinthelattercaseisnotquitefreefromsuspicion。
Onewouldthinkthatnearrelations，wholiveconstantlytogether，andalwayshavedoneso，mustbeprettywellacquaintedwithoneanother”scharacters。Theyarenearlyinthedarkaboutit。Familiarityconfoundsalltraitsofdistinction：interestandprejudicetakeawaythepowerofjudging。Wehavenoopiniononthesubject，anymorethanofoneanother”sfaces。ThePenates，thehouseholdgods，areveiled。
Wedonotseethefeaturesofthosewelove，nordoweclearlydistinguishtheirvirtuesortheirvices。Wetakethemastheyarefoundinthelump，——byweight，andnotbymeasure。Weknowallabouttheindividuals，theirsentiments，history，manners，words，actions，everything；butweknowallthesetoomuchasfacts，asinveterate，habitualimpressions，asclothedwithtoomanyassociations，assanctifiedwithtoomanyaffections，aswoventoomuchintothewebofourhearts，tobeabletopickoutthedifferentthreads，tocastuptheitemsofthedebtorandcreditoraccount，ortoreferthemtoanygeneralstandardofrightandwrong。Ourimpressionswithrespecttothemaretoostrong，tooreal，toomuch_suigeneris，_tobecapableofacomparisonwithanythingbutthemselves。Wehardlyinquirewhetherthoseforwhomwearethusinterested，andtowhomwearethusknit，are_better_or_worse_thanothers——thequestionisakindofprofanation——allweknowis，theyare_more_tousthananyoneelsecanbe。Oursentimentsofthiskindarerootedandgrowinus，andwecannoteradicatethembyvoluntarymeans。Besides，ourjudgmentsarebespoke，ourintereststakepartwithourblood。Ifanydoubtarises，iftheveilofourimplicitconfidenceisdrawnasidebyanyaccidentforamoment，theshockistoogreat，likethatofadislocatedlimb，andwerecoilonourhabitualimpressionsagain。Letnotthatveileverberententirelyasunder，sothatthoseimagesmaybeleftbareofreverentialawe，andlosetheirreligion；fornothingcaneversupportthedesolationoftheheartafterwards。
Thegreatestmisfortunethatcanhappenamongrelationsisadifferentwayofbringingup，soastosetoneanother”sopinionsandcharactersinanentirelynewpointofview。Thisoftenletsinanunwelcomedaylightonthesubject，andbreedsschisms，coldness，andincurableheart-burningsinfamilies。Ihavesometimesthoughtwhethertheprogressofsocietyandmarchofknowledgedoesnotdomoreharminthisrespect，bylooseningthetiesofdomesticattachment，andpreventingthosewhoaremostinterestedinandanxioustothinkwellofoneanotherfromfeelingacordialsympathyandapprobationofeachother”ssentiments，manners，views，etc。，thanitdoesgoodbyanyrealadvantagetothecommunityatlarge。Theson，forinstance，isbroughtuptotheChurch，andnothingcanexceedtheprideandpleasurethefathertakesinhimwhileallgoesonwellinthisfavouritedirection。
Hisnotionschange，andheimbibesatastefortheFineArts。Fromthismomentthereisanendofanythinglikethesameunreservedcommunicationbetweenthem。Theyoungmanmaytalkwithenthusiasmofhis”Rembrandts，Correggios，andstuff”：itisall_Hebrew_totheelder；andwhateversatisfactionhemayfeelinthehearingofhisson”sprogress，orgoodwishesforhissuccess，heisneverreconciledtothenewpursuit，hestillhankersafterthefirstobjectthathehadsethismindupon。Again，thegrandfatherisaCalvinist，whonevergetsthebetterofhisdisappointmentathisson”sgoingovertotheUnitariansideofthequestion。Thematterrestsheretillthegrandson，someyearsafter，inthefashionofthedayand”infiniteagitationofmen”swit”comestodoubtcertainpointsinthecreedinwhichhehasbeenbroughtup，andtheaffairisallabroadagain。Herearethreegenerationsmadeuncomfortableandinamannersetatvariancebyaveeringpointoftheology，andtheofficious，meddlingbiblicalcritics！
Nothing，ontheotherhand，canbemorewretchedorcommonthanthatupstartprideandinsolentgoodfortunewhichisashamedofitsorigin；
noraretheremanythingsmoreawkwardthanthesituationofrichandpoorrelations。Happy，muchhappier，arethosetribesandpeoplewhoareconfinedtothesame_caste_andwayoflifefromsiretoson，whereprejudicesaretransmittedlikeinstincts，andwherethesameunvaryingstandardofopinionandrefinementblendscountlessgenerationsinitsimprogressive，everlastingmould！
Notonlyisthereawilfulandhabitualblindnessinnearkindredtoeachother”sdefects，butanincapacitytojudgefromthequantityofmaterials，fromthecontradictorinessoftheevidence。Thechainofparticularsistoolongandmassyforustoliftitorputitintothemostapprovedethicalscales。Theconcreteresultdoesnotanswertoanyabstracttheory，toanylogicaldefinition。Thereisblack，andwhite，andgrey，squareandround——therearetoomanyanomalies，toomanyredeemingpoints，inpoorhumannature，suchasitactuallyis，forustoarriveatasmart，summarydecisiononit。Weknowtoomuchtocometoanyhastyorpartialconclusion。Wedonotpronounceuponthepresentact，becauseahundredothersriseuptocontradictit。Wesuspendourjudgmentsaltogether，becauseineffectonethingunconsciouslybalancesanother；andperhapsthisobstinate，pertinaciousindecisionwouldbethetruestphilosophyinothercases，wherewedisposeofthequestionofcharactereasily，becausewehaveonlythesmallestpartoftheevidencetodecideupon。Realcharacterisnotonething，butathousandthings；actualqualitiesdonotconformtoanyfactitiousstandardinthemind，butrestupontheirowntruthandnature。Thedullstuporunderwhichwelabourinrespectofthosewhomwehavethegreatestopportunitiesofinspectingnearly，weshoulddowelltoimitatebeforewegiveextremeanduncharitableverdictsagainstthosewhomweonlyseeinpassingoratadistance。Ifweknewthembetter，weshouldbedisposedtosaylessaboutthem。
Inthetruthofthings，therearenoneutterlyworthless，nonewithoutsomedrawbackontheirpretensionsorsomealloyofimperfection。Ithasbeenobservedthatafamiliaritywiththeworstcharacterslessensourabhorrenceofthem；andawonderisoftenexpressedthatthegreatestcriminalslooklikeothermen。Thereasonisthat_theyarelikeothermeninmanyrespects。_Ifaparticularindividualwasmerelythewretchwereadof，orconceiveintheabstract，thatis，ifhewasthemerepersonifiedideaofthecriminalbroughttothebar，hewouldnotdisappointthespectator，butwouldlooklikewhathewouldbe——amonster！Buthehasotherqualities，ideas，feelings，nay，probablyvirtues，mixedupwiththemostprofligatehabitsordesperateacts。
Thisneednotlessenourabhorrenceofthecrime，thoughitdoesofthecriminal；forithasthelattereffectonlybyshowinghimtousindifferentpointsofview，inwhichheappearsacommonmortal，andnotthecaricatureofvicewetookhimfor，orspottedalloverwithinfamy。
Idonot，atthesametime，thinkthisisalaxordangerous，thoughitisacharitableviewofthesubject。Inmyopinion，nomaneveransweredinhisownmind(exceptintheagoniesofconscienceorofrepentance，inwhichlattercasehethrowstheimputationfromhimselfinanotherway)totheabstractideaofa_murderer。_Hemayhavekilledamaninself-defence，or”inthetradeofwar”ortosavehimselffromstarving，orinrevengeforaninjury，butalways”soaswithadifference”orfrommixedandquestionablemotives。Theindividual，inreckoningwithhimself，alwaystakesintotheaccounttheconsiderationsoftime，place，andcircumstance，andnevermakesoutacaseofunmitigated，unprovokedvillainy，of”puredefecatedevil”
againsthimself。Therearedegreesinrealcrimes：wereasonandmoraliseonlybynamesandinclasses。Ishouldbeloth，indeed，tosaythat”whateveris，isright”；butalmosteveryactualchoiceinclinestoit，withsomesortofimperfect，unconsciousbias。Thisisthereason，besidestheendsofsecrecy，oftheinventionof_slang_termsfordifferentactsofprofligacycommittedbythieves，pickpockets，etc。
Thecommonnamessuggestassociationsofdisgustinthemindsofothers，whichthosewholivebythemdonotwillinglyrecognise，andwhichtheywishtosinkinatechnicalphraseology。Sothereisastoryofafellowwho，ashewaswritingdownhisconfessionofamurder，stoppedtoaskhowtheword_murder_wasspelt；this，iftrue，waspartlybecausehisimaginationwasstaggeredbytherecollectionofthething，andpartlybecauseheshrunkfromtheverbaladmissionofit。”_Amen_
stuckinhisthroat”！ThedefencemadebyEugeneAramofhimselfagainstachargeofmurder，someyearsbefore，showsthatheinimaginationcompletelyflungfromhimselfthe_nominal_crimeimputedtohim：hemight，indeed，havestaggeredanoldmanwithablow，andburiedhisbodyinacave，andlivedeversinceuponthemoneyhefounduponhim，buttherewas”nomaliceinthecase，noneatall”asPeachumsays。Theverycoolness，subtlety，andcircumspectionofhisdefence(asmasterlyalegaldocumentasthereisuponrecord)provethathewasguiltyoftheact，asmuchastheyprovethathewasunconsciousofthe_crime_。[2]Inthesamespirit，andIconceivewithgreatmetaphysicaltruth，Mr。Coleridge，inhistragedyof_Remorse，_makesOrdonio(hischiefcharacter)wavetheacknowledgmentofhismeditatedguilttohisownmind，byputtingintohismouththatstrikingsoliloquy：
Say，Ihadlay”dabodyinthesun！
Well！inamonththereswarmforthfromthecorseAthousand，nay，tenthousandsentientbeingsInplaceofthatoneman。SayIhad_kill”d_him！
Yetwhoshalltellme，thateachoneandallOfthesetenthousandlivesIsnotashappyAsthatonelife，whichbeingpush”daside，Maderoomfortheseunnumber”d——Actii。Sc。2。
Iamnotsure，indeed，thatIhavenotgotthiswholetrainofspeculationfromhim；butIshouldnotthinktheworseofitonthataccount。Thatgentleman，Irecollect，onceaskedmewhetherIthoughtthatthedifferentmembersofafamilyreallylikedoneanothersowell，orhadsomuchattachment，aswasgenerallysupposed；andIsaidthatI
conceivedtheregardtheyhadtowardseachotherwasexpressedbytheword_interest_ratherthanbyanyother，whichhesaidwasthetrueanswer。IdonotknowthatIcouldmenditnow。Naturalaffectionisnotpleasureinoneanother”scompany，noradmirationofoneanother”squalities；butitisanintimateanddeepknowledgeofthethingsthataffectthosetowhomweareboundbythenearestties，withpleasureorpain；itisananxious，uneasyfellow-feelingwiththem，ajealouswatchfulnessovertheirgoodname，atenderandunconquerableyearningfortheirgood。Thelove，inshort，webearthemisthenearesttothatwebearourselves。_Home，_accordingtotheoldsaying，_ishome，beitneversohomely。_Weloveourselves，notaccordingtoourdeserts，butourcravingsaftergood：soweloveourimmediaterelationsinthenextdegree(ifnot，evensometimesahigherone)，becauseweknowbestwhattheyhavesufferedandwhatsitsnearesttotheirhearts。Weareimplicated，infact，intheirwelfarebyhabitandsympathy，asweareinourown。
Ifourdevotiontoourowninterestsismuchthesameastotheirs，weareignorantofourowncharactersforthesamereason。Wearepartiestoomuchconcernedtoreturnafairverdict，andaretoomuchinthesecretofourownmotivesorsituationnottobeabletogiveafavourableturntoouractions。Weexercisealiberalcriticismuponourselves，andputoffthefinaldecisiontoalateday。Thefieldislargeandopen。Hamletexclaims，withanoblemagnanimity，”Icountmyselfindifferenthonest，andyetIcouldaccusemeofsuchthings！”
Ifyoucouldprovetoamanthatheisaknave，itwouldnotmakemuchdifferenceinhisopinion，hisself-loveisstrongerthanhisloveofvirtue。Hypocrisyisgenerallyusedasamasktodeceivetheworld，nottoimposeonourselves：foroncedetectthedelinquentinhisknavery，andhelaughsinyourfaceorgloriesinhisiniquity。Thisatleasthappensexceptwherethereisacontradictioninthecharacter，andourvicesareinvoluntaryandatvariancewithourconvictions。Onegreatdifficultyistodistinguishostensiblemotives，orsuchasweacknowledgetoourselves，fromtacitorsecretspringsofaction。Amanchangeshisopinionreadily，hethinksitcandour：itislevityofmind。
Forthemostpart，wearestunnedandstupidinjudgingofourselves。
Wearecallousbycustomtoourdefectsorexcellences，unlesswherevanitystepsintoexaggerateorextenuatethem。Icannotconceivehowitisthatpeopleareinlovewiththeirownpersons，orastonishedattheirownperformances，whicharebutaninedays”wondertoeveryoneelse。Ingeneralitmaybelaiddownthatweareliabletothistwofoldmistakeinjudgingofourowntalents：we，inthefirstplace，nursethericketybantling，wethinkmuchofthatwhichhascostusmuchpainsandlabour，andcomesagainstthegrain；andwealsosetlittlestorebywhatwedowithmosteasetoourselves，andthereforebest。Theworksofthegreatestgeniusareproducedalmostunconsciously，withanignoranceonthepartofthepersonsthemselvesthattheyhavedoneanythingextraordinary。Naturehasdoneitforthem。HowlittleShakespearseemstohavethoughtofhimselforofhisfame！Yet，if”toknowanotherwellweretoknowone”sself”hemusthavebeenacquaintedwithhisownpretensionsandcharacter，”whoknewallqualitieswithalearnedspirit。”Hiseyeseemsnevertohavebeenbentuponhimself，butoutwardsuponnature。Amanwhothinkshighlyofhimselfmayalmostsetitdownthatitiswithoutreason。Milton，notwithstanding，appearstohavehadahighopinionofhimself，andtohavemadeitgood。Hewasconsciousofhispowers，andgreatbydesign。Perhapshistenaciousness，onthescoreofhisownmerit，mightarisefromanearlyhabitofpolemicalwriting，inwhichhispretensionswerecontinuallycalledtothebarofprejudiceandparty-spirit，andhehadtopleadnotguiltytotheindictment。Somemenhavediedunconsciousofimmortality，asothershavealmostexhaustedthesenseofitintheirlifetimes。Correggiomightbementionedasaninstanceoftheone，Voltaireoftheother。
Thereisnothingthathelpsamaninhisconductthroughlifemorethanaknowledgeofhisowncharacteristicweaknesses(which，guardedagainst，becomehisstrength)，asthereisnothingthattendsmoretothesuccessofaman”stalentsthanhisknowingthelimitsofhisfaculties，whicharethusconcentratedonsomepracticableobject。Onemancandobutonething。Universalpretensionsendinnothing。Or，asButlerhasit，toomuchwitrequiresAsmuchagaintogovernit。
Therearethosewhohavegone，forwantofthisself-knowledge，strangelyoutoftheirway，andotherswhohaveneverfoundit。Wefindmanywhosucceedincertaindepartments，andareyetmelancholyanddissatisfied，becausetheyfailedintheonetowhichtheyfirstdevotedthemselves，likediscardedloverswhopineaftertheirscornfulmistress。Iwillconcludewithobservingthatauthorsingeneraloverratetheextentandvalueofposthumousfame：forwhat(asithasbeenasked)istheamountevenofShakespear”sfame？Thatinthatverycountrywhichboastshisgeniusandhisbirth，perhaps，scarceonepersonintenhaseverheardofhisnameorreadasyllableofhiswritings！
NOTEStoESSAYXV
[1]”Itisnotayearortwoshowsusaman。”——AEmilia，in_Othello。_
[2]Thebonesofthemurderedmanweredugupinanoldhermitage。Onthis，asoneinstanceoftheacutenesswhichhedisplayedallthroughtheoccasion，Aramremarks，”Wherewouldyouexpecttofindthebonesofamansoonerthaninahermit”scell，exceptyouweretolookfortheminacemetery？”——See_NewgateCalendar_fortheyear1758or1759。
ESSAYXVI
ONTHEPICTURESQUEANDIDEAL
(AFragment)
Thenaturalinvisibleobjectsiswhateverisordinarilypresentedtothesenses：thepicturesqueisthatwhichstandsoutandcatchestheattentionbysomestrikingpeculiarity：the_ideal_isthatwhichanswerstothepreconceivedimaginationandappetiteinthemindforloveandbeauty。Thepicturesquedependschieflyontheprincipleofdiscriminationorcontrast；the_ideal_onharmonyandcontinuityofeffect：theonesurprises，theothersatisfiesthemind；theonestartsofffromagivenpoint，theotherreposesonitself；theoneisdeterminedbyanexcessofform，theotherbyaconcentrationoffeeling。
Thepicturesquemaybeconsideredassomethinglikeanexcrescenceonthefaceofnature。Itrunsimperceptiblyintothefantasticalandgrotesque。Fairiesandsatyrsarepicturesque；buttheyarescarcely_ideal。_Theyareanextremeanduniqueconceptionofacertainthing，butnotofwhattheminddelightsinorbroodsfondlyover。Theimagecreatedbytheartist”shandisnotmouldedandfashionedbytheloveofgoodandyearningaftergraceandbeauty，butratherthecontrary：thatistheyareidealdeformity，notidealbeauty。Rubenswasperhapsthemostpicturesqueofpainters；buthewasalmosttheleast_ideal。_SoRembrandtwas(outofsight)themostpicturesqueofcolourists；asCorreggiowasthemost_ideal。_Inotherwords，hiscompositionoflightandshadeismoreawhole，moreinunison，moreblendedintothesameharmoniousfeelingthanRembrandt”s，whostaggersbycontrast，butdoesnotsoothebygradation。Correggio”sforms，indeed，hadapicturesqueair；fortheyoftenincline(evenwhenmostbeautiful)tothequaintnessofcaricature。Vandyke，Ithink，wasatoncetheleastpicturesqueandleast_ideal_ofallthegreatpainters。Hewaspurelynatural，andneitherselectedfromoutwardformsnoraddedanythingfromhisownmind。Heoweseverythingtoperfecttruth，clearness，andtransparency；andthoughhisproductionscertainlyarresttheeye，andstrikeinaroomfullofpictures，itisfromthecontrasttheypresenttootherpictures，andfrombeingstrippedquitenakedofallartificialadvantages。Theystrikealmostasapieceofwhitepaperwould，hungupinthesamesituation——Ibeganwithsayingthatwhateverstandsoutfromagivenline，andasitwereprojectsupontheeye，ispicturesque；andthisholdstrue(comparatively)informandcolour。Aroughterrierdog，withthehairbristledandmattedtogether，ispicturesque。Aswesay，thereisadecidedcharacterinit，amarkeddeterminationtoanextremepoint。Ashock-dogisoddanddisagreeable，butthereisnothingpicturesqueinitsappearance；itisameremassofflimsyconfusion。Agoatwithprojectinghornsandpendentbeardisapicturesqueanimal；asheepisnot。Ahorseisonlypicturesquefromoppositionofcolour；asinMr。Northcote”sstudyofGadshill，wherethewhitehorse”sheadcomingagainstthedark，scowlingfaceofthemanmakesasfineacontrastascanbeimagined。Anoldstumpofatreewithruggedbark，andoneortwostragglingbranches，alittlestuntedhedge-rowline，markingtheboundaryofthehorizon，astubble-field，awindingpath，arockseenagainstthesky，arepicturesque，becausetheyhaveallofthemprominenceandadistinctivecharacteroftheirown。
Theyarenotobjects(toborrowShakespear”sphrase)”ofnomarkorlikelihood。”Acountrymaybebeautiful，romantic，orsublime，withoutbeingpicturesque。TheLakesintheNorthofEnglandarenotpicturesque，thoughcertainlythemostinterestingsightinthiscountry。Tobeasubjectforpainting，aprospectmustpresentsharp，strikingpointsofvieworsingularforms，oroneobjectmustrelieveandsetoffanother。Theremustbedistinctstagesandsalientpointsfortheeyetorestuponorstartfrominitsprogressovertheexpansebeforeit。Thedistanceofalandscapewilloftentimeslookflatorheavy，thatthetrunkofatreeoraruinintheforegroundwouldimmediatelythrowintoperspectiveandturntoair。Rembrandt”slandscapesaretheleastpicturesqueintheworld，exceptfromthestraightlinesandsharpangles，thedeepincisionanddraggingofhispencil，likeaharrowovertheground，andthebroadcontrastofearthandsky。Earth，inhiscopies，isroughandhairy；andPanhasstruckhishoofagainstit！——Acamelisapicturesqueornamentinalandscapeorhistory-piece。Thisisnotmerelyfromitsromanticandorientalcharacter；foranelephanthasnotthesameeffect，andifintroducedasanecessaryappendage，isalsoanunwieldyincumbrance。Anegro”sheadinagroupispicturesquefromcontrast；soarethespotsonapanther”shide。ThiswastheprinciplethatPaulVeronesewentupon，whosaidtheruleforcompositionwas_blackuponwhite，andwhileuponblack。_Hewasaprettygoodjudge。HiscelebratedpictureoftheMarriageofCanaisinalllikelihoodthecompletestpieceofworkmanshipextantintheart。WhenIsawit，itnearlycoveredonesideofalargeroomintheLouvre(beingitselffortyfeetbytwenty)——anditseemedasifthatsideoftheapartmentwasthrownopen，andyoulookedoutattheopensky，atbuildings，marblepillars，gallerieswithpeopleinthem，emperors，femaleslaves，Turks，negroes，musicians，allthefamouspaintersofthetime，thetablesloadedwithviands，goblets，anddogsunderthem——asparkling，overwhelmingconfusion，abright，unexpectedreality——theonlyfaultyoucouldfindwasthatnomiraclewasgoingoninthefacesofthespectators：theonlymiracletherewasthepictureitself！AFrenchgentleman，whoshowedmethis”triumphofpainting”
(asithasbeencalled)，perceivingIwasstruckwithit，observed，”Mywifeadmiresitexceedinglyforthefacilityoftheexecution。”Itookthisproofofsympathyforacompliment。ItissaidthatwhenHumboldt，thecelebratedtravellerandnaturalist，wasintroducedtoBuonaparte，theEmperoraddressedhiminthesewords——_”Vousaimezlabotanique，Monsieur”_；andontheother”sreplyingintheaffirmative，added，_”Etmafemmeaussi！”_Thishasbeenfoundfaultwithasapieceofbrutalityandinsolenceinthegreatmanbybigotedcritics，whodonotknowwhatathingitistogetaFrenchwomantoagreewiththeminanypoint。Formypart，Itooktheobservationasitwasmeant，anditdidnotputmeoutofconceitwithmyselforthepicturethatMadameM——
likeditaswellas_Monsieurl”Anglois。_Certainly，therecouldbenoharminthat。BythesideofithappenedtobehungtwoallegoricalpicturesofRubens(andinsuchmattershetoowas”nobaby”[1])——I
don”trememberwhatthefigureswere，butthetextureseemedofwoolorcotton。ThetextureofthePaulVeronesewasnotwoolorcotton，butstuff，jewels，flesh，marble，air，whatevercomposedtheessenceofthevariedsubjects，inendlessreliefandtruthofhandling。IftheFleminghadseenhistwoallegorieshangingwheretheydid，hewould，withoutaquestion，havewishedthemfarenough。
IimaginethatRubens”slandscapesarepicturesque：Claude”sare_ideal。_Rubensisalwaysinextremes；Claudeinthemiddle。Rubenscarriessomeonepeculiarqualityorfeatureofnaturetotheutmostvergeofprobability：Claudebalancesandharmonisesdifferentformsandmasseswithlaboureddelicacy，sothatnothingfallsshort，noonethingoverpowersanother。Rainbows，showers，partialgleamsofsunshine，moonlight，arethemeanswithwhichRubensproduceshismostgorgeousandenchantingeffects：thereareneitherrainbows，norshowers，norsuddenburstsofsunshine，norglitteringmoonbeamsinClaude。Heisallsoftnessandproportion：theotherisallspiritandbrilliantexcess。Thetwosides(forexample)ofoneofClaude”slandscapesbalanceoneanother，asinascaleofbeauty：inRubenstheseveralobjectsaregroupedandthrowntogetherwithcapriciouswantonness。
Claudehasmorerepose：Rubensmoregaietyandextravagance。Andhereitmightbeasked，Isarainbowapicturesqueoran_ideal_object？Itseemstometobeboth。Itisanaccidentinnature；butitisaninmateofthefancy。Itstartlesandsurprisesthesense，butitsoothesandtranquillisesthespirit。Itmakestheeyeglistentobeholdit，butthemindturnstoitlongafterithasfadedfromitsplaceinthesky。Ithasbothproperties，then，ofgivinganextraordinaryimpulsetothemindbythesingularityofitsappearance，andofrivetingtheimaginationbyitsintensebeauty。Imayjustnoticehereinpassing，thatIthinktheeffectofmoonlightistreatedinan_ideal_mannerinthewell-knownlineinShakespear——
Seehowthemoonlight_sleeps_uponyonbank。
Theimageisheightenedbytheexquisitenessoftheexpressionbeyonditsnaturalbeauty，anditseemsasiftherecouldbenoendtothedelighttakeninit——Anumberofsheepcomingtoapoolofwatertodrink，withshadytreesinthebackground，therestoftheflockfollowingthem，andtheshepherdandhisdogleftcarelesslybehind，issurelythe_ideal_inlandscape-composition，ifthe_ideal_hasitssourceintheinterestexcitedbyasubject，initspowerofdrawingtheaffectionsafteritlinkedinagoldenchain，andinthedesireofthemindtodwellonitforever。The_ideal_，inaword，istheheightofthepleasing，thatwhichsatisfiesandaccordswiththeinmostlongingofthesoul：thepicturesqueismerelyasharperandbolderimpressionofreality。Amorningmistdrawingaslenderveiloverallobjectsisatoncepicturesqueand_ideal_；foritinthefirstplaceexcitesimmediatesurpriseandadmiration，andinthenextawishforittocontinue，andafearlestitshouldbetoosoondissipated。IstheCupidridingonalionintheceilingatWhitehall，andurginghimwithaspearoveraprecipice，withonlycloudsandskybeyond，mostpicturesqueor_ideal？_Ithaseveryeffectofstartlingcontrastandsituation，andyetinspiresbreathlessexpectationandwonderfortheevent。Rembrandt”sJacob”sDream，again，isbothfearfultotheeye，butrealisingthatloftiestvisionofthesoul。TaketwofacesinLeonardodaVinci”sLastSupper，theJudasandtheStJohn：theoneisallstrength，repulsivecharacter；theotherisalldivinegraceandmildsensibility。Theindividual，thecharacteristicinpainting，isthat_whichis_inamarkedmanner——the_ideal_isthatwhichwewishanythingtobe，andtocontemplatewithoutmeasureandwithoutend。Thefirstistruth，thelastisgood。Theoneappealstothesenseandunderstanding，theothertothewillandtheaffections。Thetrulybeautifulandgrandattractsthemindtoitbyinstinctiveharmony，isabsorbedinit，andnothingcaneverpartthemafterwards。LookataMadonnaofRaphael”s：whatgivesthe_ideal_charactertotheexpression，——theinsatiablepurposeofthesoul，oritsmeasurelesscontentintheobjectofitscontemplation？AportraitofVandyke”sismereindifferenceandstill-lifeinthecomparison：ithasnotinittheprincipleofgrowingandstillunsatisfieddesire。Inthe_ideal_thereisnofixedstintorlimitbutthelimitofpossibility：itistheinfinitewithrespecttohumancapacitiesandwishes。Loveisforthisreasonan_ideal_passion。Wegivetoitourallofhope，offear，ofpresentenjoyment，andstakeourlastchanceofhappinesswilfullyanddesperatelyuponit。Agoodauthorityputsintothemouthofoneofhisheroines——
Mybountyisasboundlessasthesea，Myloveasdeep！
HowmanyfaircatechumenswilltherebefoundinallagestorepeatasmuchafterShakespear”sJuliet！
NOTEStoESSAYXVI
[1]AndsurelyMandricardowasnobaby——HARRINGTON”s_Ariosto。_
ESSAYXVII
ONTHEFEAROFDEATH
Andourlittlelifeisroundedwithasleep。
Perhapsthebestcureforthefearofdeathistoreflectthatlifehasabeginningaswellasanend。Therewasatimewhenwewerenot：thisgivesusnoconcern——why，then，shouldittroubleusthatatimewillcomewhenweshallceasetobe？Ihavenowishtohavebeenaliveahundredyearsago，orinthereignofQueenAnne：whyshouldIregretandlayitsomuchtoheartthatIshallnotbealiveahundredyearshence，inthereignofIcannottellwhom？
WhenBickerstaffwrotehisEssaysIknewnothingofthesubjectsofthem；nay，muchlater，andbuttheotherday，asitwere，inthebeginningofthereignofGeorgeIII。，whenGoldsmith，Johnson，Burke，usedtomeetattheGlobe，whenGarrickwasinhisglory，andReynoldswasoverheadandearswithhisportraits，andSternebroughtoutthevolumesof_TristramShandy_yearbyyear，itwaswithoutconsultingme：
Ihadnottheslightestintimationofwhatwasgoingon：thedebatesintheHouseofCommonsontheAmericanWar，orthefiringatBunker”sHill，disturbednotme：yetIthoughtthisnoevil——Ineitherate，drank，norwasmerry，yetIdidnotcomplain：Ihadnotthenlookedoutintothisbreathingworld，yetIwaswell；andtheworlddidquiteaswellwithoutmeasIdidwithoutit！Why，then，shouldImakeallthisoutcryaboutpartingwithit，andbeingnoworseoffthanIwasbefore？
Thereisnothingintherecollectionthatatacertaintimewewerenotcomeintotheworldthat”thegorgerisesat”——whyshouldwerevoltattheideathatwemustonedaygooutofit？Todieisonlytobeaswewerebeforewewereborn；yetnoonefeelsanyremorse，orregret，orrepugnance，incontemplatingthislastidea。Itisratherareliefanddisburtheningofthemind：itseemstohavebeenholiday-timewithusthen：wewerenotcalledtoappearuponthestageoflife，towearrobesortatters，tolaughorcry，behootedorapplauded；wehadlain_perdus_allthiswhile，snug，outofharm”sway；andhadsleptoutourthousandsofcenturieswithoutwantingtobewakedup；atpeaceandfreefromcare，inalongnonage，inasleepdeeperandcalmerthanthatofinfancy，wrappedinthesoftestandfinestdust。Andtheworstthatwedreadis，afterashort，fretful，feverishbeing，aftervainhopesandidlefears，tosinktofinalreposeagain，andforgetthetroubleddreamoflife！……Yearmedmen，knightstemplars，thatsleepinthestoneaislesofthatoldTemplechurch，whereallissilentabove，andwhereadeepersilencereignsbelow(notbrokenbythepealingorgan)，areyenotcontentedwhereyelie？OrwouldyoucomeoutofyourlonghomestogototheHolyWar？Ordoyecomplainthatpainnolongervisitsyou，thatsicknesshasdoneitsworst，thatyouhavepaidthelastdebttonature，thatyouhearnomoreofthethickeningphalanxofthefoe，oryourlady”swaninglove；andthatwhilethisballofearthrollsitseternalround，nosoundshalleverpiercethroughtodisturbyourlastingrepose，fixedasthemarbleoveryourtombs，breathlessasthegravethatholdsyou！Andthou，oh！thou，towhommyheartturns，andwillturnwhileithasfeelingleft，whodidstloveinvain，andwhosefirstwasthylastsigh，wiltnotthoutoorestinpeace(orwiltthoucrytomecomplainingfromthyclay-coldbed)whenthatsadheartisnolongersad，andthatsorrowisdeadwhichthouwertonlycalledintotheworldtofeel！
Itiscertainthatthereisnothingintheideaofapre-existentstatethatexcitesourlongingliketheprospectofaposthumousexistence。
Wearesatisfiedtohavebegunlifewhenwedid；wehavenoambitiontohavesetoutonourjourneysooner；andfeelthatwehavehadquiteenoughtodotobattleourwaythroughsince。Wecannotsay，ThewarswewellrememberofKingNine，OfoldAssaracusandInachusdivine。
Neitherhaveweanywish：wearecontentedtoreadoftheminstory，andtostandandgazeatthevastseaoftimethatseparatesusfromthem。
Itwasearlydaysthen：theworldwasnot_well-aired_enoughforus：wehavenoinclinationtohavebeenupandstirring。Wedonotconsiderthesixthousandyearsoftheworldbeforewewerebornassomuchtimelosttous：weareperfectlyindifferentaboutthematter。Wedonotgrieveandlamentthatwedidnothappentobeintimetoseethegrandmaskandpageantofhumanlifegoingoninallthatperiod；thoughwearemortifiedatbeingobligedtoquitourstandbeforetherestoftheprocessionpasses。
Itmaybesuggestedinexplanationofthisdifference，thatweknowfromvariousrecordsandtraditionswhathappenedinthetimeofQueenAnne，oreveninthereignsoftheAssyrianmonarchs，butthatwehavenomeansofascertainingwhatistohappenhereafterbutbyawaitingtheevent，andthatoureagernessandcuriosityaresharpenedinproportionasweareinthedarkaboutit。Thisisnotatallthecase；foratthatrateweshouldbeconstantlywishingtomakeavoyageofdiscoverytoGreenlandortotheMoon，neitherofwhichwehave，ingeneral，theleastdesiretodo。Neither，intruth，haveweanyparticularsolicitudetopryintothesecretsoffuturity，butasapretextforprolongingourownexistence。Itisnotsomuchthatwecaretobealiveahundredorathousandyearshence，anymorethantohavebeenaliveahundredorathousandyearsago：butthethinglieshere，thatwewouldallofuswishthepresentmomenttolastforever。Wewouldbeasweare，andwouldhavetheworldremainjustasitis，topleaseus。
Thepresenteyecatchesthepresentobject——
tohaveandtoholdwhileitmay；andabhors，onanyterms，tohaveittornfromus，andnothingleftinitsroom。Itisthepangofparting，theunloosingourgrasp，thebreakingasundersomestrongtie，theleavingsomecherishedpurposeunfulfilled，thatcreatestherepugnancetogo，and”makescalamityofsolonglife”asitoftenis。
O！thoustrongheart！
There”ssuchacovenant”twixttheworldandtheeThey”relothtobreak！
Theloveoflife，then，isanhabitualattachment，notanabstractprinciple。Simply_tobe_doesnot”contentman”snaturaldesire”：welongtobeinacertaintime，place，andcircumstance。Wewouldmuchratherbenow，”onthisbankandshoaloftime”thanhaveourchoiceofanyfutureperiod，thantakeasliceoffiftyorsixtyyearsoutoftheMillennium，forinstance。Thisshowsthatourattachmentisnotconfinedeitherto_being_orto_well-being_；butthatwehaveaninveterateprejudiceinfavourofourimmediateexistence，suchasitis。Themountaineerwillnotleavehisrock，northesavagehishut；
neitherarewewillingtogiveupourpresentmodeoflife，withallitsadvantagesanddisadvantages，foranyotherthatcouldbesubstitutedforit。Nomanwould，Ithink，exchangehisexistencewithanyotherman，howeverfortunate。Wehadaslief_notbe_，as_notbeourselves_。
Therearesomepersonsofthatreachofsoulthattheywouldliketolivetwohundredandfiftyyearshence，toseetowhatheightofempireAmericawillhavegrownupinthatperiod，orwhethertheEnglishconstitutionwilllastsolong。Thesearepointsbeyondme。ButI
confessIshouldliketolivetoseethedownfalloftheBourbons。Thatisavitalquestionwithme；andIshalllikeitthebetter，thesoonerithappens！
Noyoungmaneverthinksheshalldie。Hemaybelievethatotherswill，orassenttothedoctrinethat”allmenaremortal”asanabstractproposition，butheisfarenoughfrombringingithometohimselfindividually。[1]Youth，buoyantactivity，andanimalspirits，holdabsoluteantipathywitholdageaswellaswithdeath；norhavewe，inthehey-dayoflife，anymorethaninthethoughtlessnessofchildhood，theremotestconceptionhowThissensiblewarmmotioncanbecomeAkneadedclod——
norhowsanguine，floridhealthandvigour，shall”turntowithered，weak，andgrey。”Orifinamomentofidlespeculationweindulgeinthisnotionofthecloseoflifeasatheory，itisamazingatwhatadistanceitseems；whatalong，leisurelyintervalthereisbetween；
whatacontrastitsslowandsolemnapproachaffordstoourpresentgaydreamsofexistence！Weeyethefarthestvergeofthehorizon，andthinkwhatawayweshallhavetolookbackupon，erewearriveatourjourney”send；andwithoutourintheleastsuspectingit，themistsareatourfeet，andtheshadowsofageencompassus。Thetwodivisionsofourliveshavemeltedintoeachother：theextremepointscloseandmeetwithnoneofthatromanticintervalstretchingoutbetweenthemthatwehadreckonedupon；andfortherich，melancholy，solemnhuesofage，”thesear，theyellowleaf”thedeepeningshadowsofanautumnalevening，weonlyfeeladank，coldmist，encirclingallobjects，afterthespiritofyouthisfled。Thereisnoinducementtolookforward；
andwhatisworse，littleinterestinlookingbacktowhathasbecomesotriteandcommon。Thepleasuresofourexistencehavewornthemselvesout，are”goneintothewastesoftime”orhaveturnedtheirindifferentsidetous：thepainsbytheirrepeatedblowshavewornusout，andhaveleftusneitherspiritnorinclinationtoencounterthemagaininretrospect。Wedonotwanttoripupoldgrievances，nortorenewouryouthlikethephoenix，nortoliveourlivestwiceover。
Onceisenough。Asthetreefalls，soletitlie。Shutupthebookandclosetheaccountonceforall！
Ithasbeenthoughtbysomethatlifeisliketheexploringofapassagethatgrowsnarroweranddarkerthefartherweadvance，withoutapossibilityofeverturningback，andwherewearestifledforwantofbreathatlast。Formyself，IdonotcomplainofthegreaterthicknessoftheatmosphereasIapproachthenarrowhouse。Ifeltitmoreformerly，[2]whentheideaaloneseemedtosuppressathousandrisinghopes，andweigheduponthepulsesoftheblood。AtpresentIratherfeelathinnessandwantofsupport，Istretchoutmyhandtosomeobjectandfindnone，Iamtoomuchinaworldofabstraction；thenakedmapoflifeisspreadoutbeforeme，andintheemptinessanddesolationIseeDeathcomingtomeetme。InmyyouthIcouldnotbeholdhimforthecrowdofobjectsandfeelings，andHopestoodalwaysbetweenus，saying，”Nevermindthatoldfellow！”IfIhadlivedindeed，Ishouldnotcaretodie。ButIdonotlikeacontractofpleasurebrokenoffunfulfilled，amarriagewithjoyunconsummated，apromiseofhappinessrescinded。Mypublicandprivatehopeshavebeenleftaruin，orremainonlytomockme。Iwouldwishthemtobere-edified。Ishouldliketoseesomeprospectofgoodtomankind，suchasmylifebeganwith。I
shouldliketoleavesomesterlingworkbehindme。Ishouldliketohavesomefriendlyhandtoconsignmetothegrave。OntheseconditionsIamready，ifnotwilling，todepart。Ishallthenwriteonmytomb——GRATEFULANDCONTENTED！ButIhavethoughtandsufferedtoomuchtobewillingtohavethoughtandsufferedinvain——Inlookingback，itsometimesappearstomeasifIhadinamannersleptoutmylifeinadreamorshadowonthesideofthehillofknowledge，whereIhavefedonbooks，onthoughts，onpictures，andonlyheardinhalf-murmursthetramplingofbusyfeet，orthenoisesofthethrongbelow。Wakedoutofthisdim，twilightexistence。andstartledwiththepassingscene，I
havefeltawishtodescendtotheworldofrealities，andjoininthechase。ButIfeartoolate，andthatIhadbetterreturntomybookishchimerasandindolenceoncemore！_Zanetto，lascialedonne，etstudialamatematica。_Iwillthinkofit。
Itisnotwonderfulthatthecontemplationandfearofdeathbecomemorefamiliartousasweapproachnearertoit：thatlifeseemstoebbwiththedecayofbloodandyouthfulspirits；andthataswefindeverythingaboutussubjecttochanceandchange，asourstrengthandbeautydie，asourhopesandpassions，ourfriendsandouraffectionsleaveus，webeginbydegreestofeelourselvesmortal！
Ihaveneverseendeathbutonce，andthatwasinaninfant。Itisyearsago。Thelookwascalmandplacid，andthefacewasfairandfirm。Itwasasifawaxenimagehadbeenlaidoutinthecoffin，andstrewedwithinnocentflowers。Itwasnotlikedeath，butmorelikeanimageoflife！Nobreathmovedthelips，nopulsestirred，nosightorsoundwouldenterthoseeyesorearsmore。WhileIlookedatit，Isawnopainwasthere；itseemedtosmileattheshortpangoflifewhichwasover：butIcouldnotbearthecoffin-lidtobeclosed——itseemedtostifleme；andstillasthenettleswaveinacornerofthechurchyardoverhislittlegrave，thewelcomebreezehelpstorefreshme，andeasethetightnessatmybreast！
Anivoryormarbleimage，likeChantry”smonumentofthetwochildren，iscontemplatedwithpuredelight。Whydowenotgrieveandfretthatthemarbleisnotalive，orfancythatithasashortnessofbreath？Itneverwasalive；anditisthedifficultyofmakingthetransitionfromlifetodeath，thestrugglebetweenthetwoinourimagination，thatconfoundstheirpropertiespainfullytogether，andmakesusconceivethattheinfantthatisbutjustdead，stillwantstobreathe，toenjoy，andlookaboutit，andispreventedbytheicyhandofdeath，lockingupitsfacultiesandbenumbingitssenses；sothat，ifitcould，itwouldcomplainofitsownhardstate。Perhapsreligiousconsiderationsreconcilethemindtothischangesoonerthananyothers，byrepresentingthespiritasfledtoanothersphere，andleavingthebodybehindit。Soinreflectingondeathgenerally，wemixuptheideaoflifewithit，andthusmakeittheghastlymonsteritis。Wethink，howweshouldfeel，nothowthedeadfeel。
Stillfromthetombthevoiceofnaturecries；
Eveninourasheslivetheirwontedfires！
ThereisanadmirablepassageonthissubjectinTucker”s_LightofNaturePursued_，whichIshalltranscribe，asbymuchthebestillustrationIcanofferofit。”Themelancholyappearanceofalifelessbody，themansionprovidedforittoinhabit，dark，cold，closeandsolitary，areshockingtotheimagination；butitistotheimaginationonly，nottheunderstanding；
forwhoeverconsultsthisfacultywillseeatfirstglance，thatthereisnothingdismalinallthesecircumstances：ifthecorpsewerekeptwrappedupinawarmbed，witharoastingfireinthechamber，itwouldfeelnocomfortablewarmththerefrom；werestoreoftaperslightedupassoonasdayshutsin，itwouldseenoobjectstodivertit；wereitleftatlargeitwouldhavenoliberty，norifsurroundedwithcompanywouldbecheeredthereby；neitherarethedistortedfeaturesexpressionsofpain，uneasiness，ordistress。Thiseveryoneknows，andwillreadilyallowuponbeingsuggested，yetstillcannotbehold，norevencastathoughtuponthoseobjectswithoutshuddering；forknowingthatalivingpersonmustsuffergrievouslyundersuchappearances，theybecomehabituallyformidabletothemind，andstrikeamechanicalhorror，whichisincreasedbythecustomsoftheworldaroundus。”
Thereisusuallyonepangaddedvoluntarilyandunnecessarilytothefearofdeath，byouraffectingtocompassionatethelosswhichotherswillhaveinus。Ifthatwereall，wemightreasonablysetourmindsatrest。Thepatheticexhortationoncountrytombstones，”Grievenotforme，mywifeandchildrendear”etc。，isforthemostpartspeedilyfollowedtotheletter。Wedonotleavesogreatavoidinsocietyasweareinclinedtoimagine，partlytomagnifyourownimportance。andpartlytoconsoleourselvesbysympathy。Eveninthesamefamilythegapisnotsogreat；thewoundclosesupsoonerthanweshouldexpect。
Nay，_ourroom_isnotunfrequentlythoughtbetterthan_ourcompany。_
Peoplewalkalongthestreetsthedayafterourdeathsjustastheydidbefore，andthecrowdisnotdiminished。Whilewewereliving，theworldseemedinamannertoexistonlyforus，forourdelightandamusement，becauseitcontributedtothem。Butourheartsceasetobeat，anditgoesonasusual，andthinksnomoreaboutusthanitdidinourlifetime。Themillionaredevoidofsentiment，andcareaslittleforyouormeasifwebelongedtothemoon。WelivetheweekoverintheSunday”spaper，oraredecentlyinterredinsomeobituaryatthemonth”send！Itisnotsurprisingthatweareforgottensosoonafterwequitthismortalstage；wearescarcelynoticedwhileweareonit。ItisnotmerelythatournamesarenotknowninChina——theyhavehardlybeenheardofinthenextstreet。Wearehandandglovewiththeuniverse，andthinktheobligationismutual。Thisisanevidentfallacy。Ifthis，however，doesnottroubleusnow，itwillnothereafter。Ahandfulofdustcanhavenoquarreltopickwithitsneighbours，orcomplainttomakeagainstProvidence，andmightwellexclaim，ifithadbutanunderstandingandatongue，”Gothyways，oldworld，swingroundinblueether，volubletoeveryage，youandIshallnomorejostle！”
Itisamazinghowsoontherichandtitled，andevensomeofthosewhohavewieldedgreatpoliticalpower，areforgotten。
Alittlerule，alittlesway，IsallthegreatandmightyhaveBetwixtthecradleandthegrave——
and，afteritsshortdate，theyhardlyleaveanamebehindthem。”A
greatman”smemorymay，atthecommonrate，survivehimhalfayear。”
Hisheirsandsuccessorstakehistitles，hispower，andhiswealth——allthatmadehimconsiderableorcourtedbyothers；andhehasleftnothingelsebehindhimeithertodelightorbenefittheworld。Posterityarenotbyanymeanssodisinterestedastheyaresupposedtobe。Theygivetheirgratitudeandadmirationonlyinreturnforbenefitsconferred。
Theycherishthememoryofthosetowhomtheyareindebtedforinstructionanddelight；andtheycherishitjustinproportiontotheinstructionanddelighttheyareconscioustheyreceive。Thesentimentofadmirationspringsimmediatelyfromthisground，andcannotbeotherwisethanwellfounded。[3]
Theeffeminateclingingtolifeassuch，asageneralorabstractidea，istheeffectofahighlycivilisedandartificialstateofsociety。
Menformerlyplungedintoallthevicissitudesanddangersofwar，orstakedtheiralluponasingledie，orsomeonepassion，whichiftheycouldnothavegratified，lifebecameaburdentothem——nowourstrongestpassionistothink，ourchiefamusementistoreadnewplays，newpoems，newnovels，andthiswemaydoatourleisure，inperfectsecurity，_adinfinitum_。Ifwelookintotheoldhistoriesandromances，beforethe_belles-lettres_neutralisedhumanaffairsandreducedpassiontoastateofmentalequivocation，wefindtheheroesandheroinesnotsettingtheirlives”atapin”sfee”butrathercourtingopportunitiesofthrowingthemawayinverywantonnessofspirit。Theyraisetheirfondnessforsomefavouritepursuittoitsheight，toapitchofmadness，andthinknopricetoodeartopayforitsfullgratification。Everythingelseisdross。Theygotodeathastoabridalbed，andsacrificethemselvesorotherswithoutremorseattheshrineoflove，ofhonour，ofreligion，oranyotherprevailingfeeling。Romeorunshis”sea-sick，wearybarkupontherocks”ofdeaththeinstanthefindshimselfdeprivedofhisJuliet；andsheclaspshisneckintheirlastagonies，andfollowshimtothesamefatalshore。
Onestrongideatakespossessionofthemindandoverruleseveryother；
andevenlifeitself，joylesswithoutthat，becomesanobjectofindifferenceorloathing。Thereisatleastmoreofimaginationinsuchastateofthings，morevigouroffeelingandpromptitudetoact，thaninourlingering，languid，protractedattachmenttolifeforitsownpoorsake。Itis，perhaps，alsobetter，aswellasmoreheroical，tostrikeatsomedaringordarlingobject，andifwefailinthat，totaketheconsequencesmanfully，thantorenewtheleaseofatedious，spiritless，charmlessexistence，merely(asPierresays)”toloseitafterwardsinsomevilebrawl”forsomeworthlessobject。Wastherenotaspiritofmartyrdomaswellasaspiceoftherecklessenergyofbarbarisminthisbolddefianceofdeath？Hadnotreligionsomethingtodowithit：theimplicitbeliefinafuturelife，whichrenderedthisoflessvalue，andembodiedsomethingbeyondittotheimagination；sothattheroughsoldier，theinfatuatedlover，thevalorousknight，etc。，couldaffordtothrowawaythepresentventure，andtakealeapintothearmsoffuturity，whichthemodernscepticshrinksbackfrom，withallhisboastedreasonandvainphilosophy，weakerthanawoman！Icannothelpthinkingsomyself；butIhaveendeavouredtoexplainthispointbefore，andwillnotenlargefartheronithere。
Alifeofactionanddangermoderatesthedreadofdeath。Itnotonlygivesusfortitudetobearpain，butteachesusateverysteptheprecarioustenureonwhichweholdourpresentbeing。Sedentaryandstudiousmenarethemostapprehensiveonthisscore。Dr。Johnsonwasaninstanceinpoint。Afewyearsseemedtohimsoonover，comparedwiththosesweepingcontemplationsontimeandinfinitywithwhichhehadbeenusedtoposehimself。Inthe_still-life_ofamanofletterstherewasnoobviousreasonforachange。Hemightsitinanarm-chairandpouroutcupsofteatoalleternity。Wouldithadbeenpossibleforhimtodoso！Themostrationalcureafterallfortheinordinatefearofdeathistosetajustvalueonlife。Ifwemerelywishtocontinueonthescenetoindulgeourheadstronghumoursandtormentingpassions，wehadbetterbegoneatonce；andifweonlycherishafondnessforexistenceaccordingtothegoodwederivefromit，thepangwefeelatpartingwithitwillnotbeverysevere！
NOTEStoESSAYXVII
[1]Allmenthinkallmenmortalbutthemselves——YOUNG。
[2]Irememberonce，Inparticular，havingthisfeelinginreadingSchiller”s_DonCarlos_，wherethereisadescriptionofdeath，inadegreethatalmoststifledme。
[3]Ithasbeenusualtoraiseaveryunjustclamouragainsttheenormoussalariesofpublicsingers，actors，andsoon。Thismatterseemsreducibletoamoralequation。Theyarepaidoutofmoneyraisedbyvoluntarycontributionsinthestrictestsense；andiftheydidnotbringcertainsumsintothetreasury，themanagerswouldnotengagethem。ThesesumsareexactlyinproportiontothenumberofIndividualstowhomtheirperformancegivesanextraordinarydegreeofpleasure。
Thetalentsofasinger，actor，etc。，arethereforeworthjustasmuchastheywillfetch。
End
