The hydraulic press. (North San Juan, Nev. Co., Cal.) 1858-18??, 1858-10-09
THE HYDRAULIC PRESS
ImprOvidence and vanity of
Genius.

ImprOvidenCe and Vanity of
Genius.
The autobiography of poor Hay
don, the English painter, who termi-
mated with his own hand a life of dis
appointment, affords two lessons that
are very often disregarded by men
Of genius. One lesson is given in
words by himself:
"Too proud to do small, modest things
| that might obtain fair means of exist ence
as proceeded with my great work, thought
it no degradation to borrow, to risk the in
suit of refusal, and to be bated down like
the meanest dealer. To be strictly
correct you should do nothing, however nee
essary, which your income does not warrant
you in doing"
In another place he says
Let no man use evil as means of sue
cess in any scheme however grand"
If this lesson had been regarded,
how many a bright light, untimely
quenched by poverty, neglect, and
sorrow, had shone on with increased
efulgence through the natural allot>
ted term! The annals of literature
and art would not then have been
saddened by SO many melancholy ex-
hibitions of weakness, criminality,
suffering, and despair. Otway might
have written more tragedies, Gold
smith been as much respected as his
works are admired, Scott not crushed
to earth by the burden of debt, and
Lamartine not now a public suppliant
for pecuniary aid. Hayden himself
would have achieved remuneratiye
fame, and saved his family the pain
and horror of his tragic suicide.
The sturdy independence, uncom-
planning, persevering industry and
self-denying morality of DR.. Johnson
are worth more to men than even his
writings, and they gave him not only
success, but the excusable triumph Of
proudly refusing proffered assistance.
They are more valuable than the
most brilliant reputation when that is
sullied by intemperance and humilia-
ting abnegation of manly dignity.
How strange it seems to unaspiring
poverty, to whom 1.-THE of the pecu,
mary reward which often falls to the
lot of genius would be sufficient
wealth, that genius should be dissat-
isi6ed, complaining, and INDECENT.
AS We read of the sums received by
Byron, Scott, and Lamartine
for their literary productions, we
wonder that they could ever sacrifice
the substantial delights of indepen~
dence for the temporary joy which
springs from muni6cence and is in
variably followed by pressing want.
The other lesson taught by Hay
don's life, though not presented by
himself in special words, may be sta
ted thus: We should not place too
high an estimate upon our own abil-
tiles, for the world generally @nder>
values a man who over0alues himself.
This may be considered a truism that
needs no comments to enforce it, all
though it will bear an illustration.
Hear Southey speak of MADoc:
!" PROFESSIONALLY the poem will stand
and flourish. I am perfectly satisfied
with the execution-now eight months
after its publication, in my cool judg-
ment. William Taylor has said it is
the best English poem that has left
the press since Paradise Lost ;-in-
deed, this is not exaggerated praise,
for unfortunately there IS no compsti-
ton" () Shades Of Byron and Of
Wordsworth! Again, hear what he
says of KEHAMA: " Every genera
ton Will afor0 me some nall dozen
admirers of it; and the everlasting
column Of Dante's fame does not stand
upon wider base" He thinks that
there is fair ground Of comparison
for himself with TasSo, Virgil, and
Homer! This is Alp upon Alp with
vengeance We. do not pretend
to offer an opinion ourselves upon the
subject, since the reading world has
saved us that trouble,-and really it
does not appear to side with either
William Taylor or Robert Southey!
Still, in spite of this glazing in
stance of literary vanity, on the part
Of a man, too, who was justly noted
for amiable modesty and ready ac-
acknowledgement Of talent in others,
| II