Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-08-15

AUTHORSHIP author has been compared
to asparagus, on the superstition that all that is
good about him is-hiS head. We venture to
protest against such definition on the plea
that much of his value is also to be ascribed
to his heart. 1t is indeed the latter quality
which gives to the realm of authorship its
highest dignity and value.
Authors, again, have been styled lamps, eX-
hausung themselves to give light to others; to
bees, industriously collecting honey from the
flowers, which they treasure up in the hive of
books to sweeten and sOlace life Author
craft is an initiative as well as Il creative art ;
an original thinker is one who portrays the
works of the great author of the universe-the
compiler, one who ingeniously adapts or re-
arranges the thoughts and illustrations of 9TH
ers: both in their degree may be said to pos
sess creative power. Pseudo authors are
counterfets-and belong not to the true and
honorable craft and should be dealt with ac-
cording to the laws of felony.
Everybody remembers GoldSmith'S bloom
coored coat; George F0x's ''leathern hull -
Millions garb Of coarse gray; Magliabecchi's
great brown vest down to his knees, his broad
brimmed hat and patched black mantle, and
his cravat full of snuff droppngs; Popes vel
vet cap, the wig and sword; and Button, with
his hair in curl-papers while sitting at his
desk; SCOTS limp; ByrOn's club-foot; Pope's
little crooked figure, like note Of interroga-
ton; Joonson's rotundity and rheum; Charles
Lambs spindle shankS in CATERS; and all
manner of personal peculiarities Of distin-
guished men.
Who would not willingly make pilgrimage
to catch glimpse OF an author in his literary
laboratory-hls workshop? For example, of
Richardson, in his back shop, writing Pane
] =
and Newstead Abbey; of Burns, in his hum
Bile cottage home; of Voltaire, in his retreat
of Ferney by the shores of Lake Leman; of
Sir Walter Scott. in his study of Abbottstord /;
OF DR.. johnson, in his retreat in Bolt Court
of Shakespeare, and the woods OF Charlecote /;
of Pope, and his house at Twlckenham; of
Swift, and his living at LaraCOr. We are
never tired OF reading of such things identi-
fed us they are with genius, and consecratcd
bv their association with the names of great
men.
Voltaire was fond Of magnificent attire. and
usually dressed in an absurd manner Did
erot once travelled from St. Petersburg to
Paris in morning gown and night cap, and
in this guse promenaded the streets and pub
lie places of the towns on his route. lie was
often taken Tor mailman. While composing
his works he used to walk aboutat arapId pace,
making 0uSS SlIlucSs anu oOluSthiCo lONIug
up his wig in the air when he struck out hap
by idea. One day friend found him in tears.
''Good heavens !" he exclaimed, 'what is the
matter?' 81 am weeping" answered Older
OF, sat a story have just composed"
Wordsworth was deemed mailman by
some of the villagers, by others a criminal in
the disguise of an ider. They affirmed that
he had been often seen to wander about at
night, and look ''rather strangely at the
moon" and that sometimes she would roam
over the hills like partridge"
Gray was a polite monk, the most learned
man oil his day. His elegy is the most melo-
dious poem in the language. He was man
of extreme taciturnity 1t is said he some
times was known to pass a whole day In COM
pany without uttering word.-Boston II an
script.