Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1859-03-25
THE INTELLIGENCER.

M M111L 1N 1ELLlGENCER.
Tnr London Quarterly Revts,o for January
has the conclusion of the delightful paper on
the Life and Writings of Johnson the first
part of which appeared in thepreceding number.
There sno epoch so rich in interest to the lover
OF literary biography as that of johnson, of
Goldsmith, of Footo, of Fielding, and of Rich
ardson; and the London Quarterly (which, after
all, we think we like best of the four great re-
views,) has always something to tell us of that
period, and of those men. The present article
is one of the most attractive of its kind; and as
the neyer-wearisome story of Johnsons strug-
giles and triumphs is told again, you regard him
with tenderness, ifnot affection. The reviewer
opens with some reflections on the fortunes of
authorship which we cannot refrain from copy
ing. They are as true as they are sad:
"Mr. Thackeray has remarked that the advan-
tages of tho literary calling are not sufficiently
remembered by those who complain of its hard
ships. The physician must have house and
furniture, carriages and men-servantS, before
patients will confide in him, for nobody is will
ling to trust in his skill till he puts an ap-
Pearnnce which indicates that he is trusted by
others The barTister must be at the cost of
chambers and clerk, and the expense of going
the circuit. The artist must have his studio
and n constant supply of canvas and paint
The aathor, on the other hand, requires scarce
any capital with which to exercise his craft
In large towns public libraries supply him with
books and few sheets of paper, n pen and n
little ink are all which are required to write
them. lie can live in cheap lodging, and
needs none of the costly appendages of the doc
tor, lawyer and painter Such is Mr.. Thacke-
rays summary OF the case and it is plain
enough that every calling has its draw backs and
ppr ,uafiO hut oil hVnf,.
will still remain truth that the worst profession
in the world for those who rely upon it eXclu-
sively, is that OF an author. With the exception
of very few popular writers and editors of
Journals, no persons eXpend so large an amount
of talent and toll for so small return as the
better class of literary men. Gifted persons,
whose pens are hardly ever out of their hands,
can with difficulty earn three or four hundred
year. Great as is the demand for books in the
aggregate, the books of an individual have not
often sufficient sale TO furnish much profit
If he chances to make u lucky hit, he rarely
repeat it. These who make their way in the
ordinary professions, have steady call for their
services; the gains of the author, which are de-
pendent upon taste rs variable as the weather,
arc always precarious. Though the public did
not require incessant variety and were willing
to go on listening to the voice of the chRrner,
he can seldom continue to charm as wisely as at
first. Goldsmith urged the introduction ofnew
members into the Literary Club because the
original associates had Travelled over each 9TH
er's minds. This is as true of books as Of con-
versation. Few men are possessed Of an mex
haustible stock ofideas and while in the Ordina.
ry callings increased experience gives increased
skill, the author often finds in the very prime of
his life that his occupation is gone, and that
little besides 'mouth-honor' is left him. But
the chief evil, perhaps, of his employment, when
his bread depends upon it, is in the nature OF
the eXertiOn it imposes. The craft OF an artist
is in large degree mechanical, and to paint is
usually as much pleasure labor. The
duties of physician soon become n routine in |
which the intellect is rarely put to a strain
The barrster has his materials found TO his
hands, has the comparatively easy task of ad-
dressing the understanding instead Of captiva-
ting the taste, and has the immense advantage
of speaking to an audience far from fastidiJus
and which is compelled to listen to him. Lite
rary productions, when they have any particu-
lar excellence, generally flow with much less
facility. Rapidly as johnson seemed to write,
he yet testifies that composition is usually an
effort of slow diligence, to which the author is
dragged by necessity, and from which the atten-
ton is every moment starting to pleasantcr
pursuits. No occupation is so firing, none re-
quires such concentration of the powers and
such freedom from everything which can dis
tract the thoughts, none, therefore, is so har-
RAISING under the least arrangement of health
or circumstances. ~ man. says johnson,
doubtful of his dinner or trembling at creditor
is not much disposed TO abstracted meditation
or remote inquiries nor can any pursuit be SO
trying when poverty compels the toll to be un-
when
tDaV after day the labor must be done,
And sure ascomes the postman and the sun
The indefstlgaDe ink must run
Half the works which delight the world may al
most be said to have been written with the blood
of their authors 'Yc,' exclaitns johnson, who
listen with credulity TO the whispers of fancy,
and pursue with eagerness the phantotns of hope
attend. TO the history of Rasselas, Prince of
Aoyssbc t ybo think of adoPtng d5 ngGEs reason might
fession, seduced by dazzling dreams of iafhdence
and fame, attend to the history oil Samuel john
son. Whoever weighs the suferings against
the success will have little reason to envy his
lot; and though he presents grand spectacle
of a brave man struggling with distress as the
World ever saw. the grandeur IS felt by those
who contemplate his career, and little besides
the distress was felt by himself"
TuE Paris correspondent of the New York
Erpress found Fronchman looking at portrait
of Washington. The correspondent was po-