The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-05-14
ELABORATE WRITERS.

Elaboration in writing, for some reason
or other, is considered by many as incom-
patible with extraordinary genius. These
] sticklers for the omnipotence of genius
seem to take it for granted that all q writer
of commanding genius has to do, when
once he takes the pen in hand, 10 to dash
at once into the middle Of things (no mat
ter what the topic of his discourse may be).
| secure in his innate resources of mind and
| imagination to carry him triumphantly
through. Nor can it be denied that, in
| more than one instance, an intellectual
Hercules has appeared, who Independently
alike of preparation or premeditation has
shown himself equal to the task of proauc-
ing ga perfect piece of composition at
single sitting. Doctor johnson, in all pro
liability, Chords, in himself, striking an
instance of this extemporaneons faculty as
can we'll be adduced. Com bining with
amazing intellectual vigor power of mem
DRY altogether astounding "a combination
of faculties, indeed, he found ever at his
service as an essay st), all that he had to
do, under circumstances of pressure, was
to ego doRgedly to work." and the cen
fences, as Pope said of his own verses
whileyet child, "came." Yes! they came
in all their splendor, and yet the irrever-
emit query still presents itself, " Did John
son efficiently study that most essential of
all arts in composition the "art to blot"
Pope, as we gather from his writings, deem
>~@
mercy" as be expresses it, to an empty
line" 1t was in consequence of his blottng
propensities that he earned the soubriouet
of " Paper sparng Pope" the ininity of
worthless scraps of paper, on which he as
accustomed to vary for evermore an ex-
preston or phrase in the slightest degree
incompatible with "spirit, taste, and
sense" sufficiently attesting that the ad-
Jective paper saving" was appropriately
bestowed upon the most elaborate writer
and most exquisite poetical genius that
ever lived. The Bard of Twickenhan
elaborated to the utmost extent every pro-
duction that emanated from his fertile
brain, before giving it to the world and
that every writer of true genius is SOLICITORS
to do tue same, there cannot, we think, be
a question. Adopting Pope's infallible
maxim, therefore that.
True ease in writing comes frem art not chance"
and rarely failing to discover, in their
works, that the most distinguished writer's
have ever been solicitors to attain this |
same "true ease,' the result of pure mental |
labor in their productions, we have come |
to the conclusion that the most " elabor- |
ate writer's" are by no means the plod- |
ding folks and billiards certain critics |
wound have US believe. Two great Eng
lish essayists, Addison and johnson, it is |
not difficult tn surmise, had decidedly diff
ferent modes Of accomplishing their literary |
work-the latter going about it in true |
- eIc!e'S VEN, making every obstacle give |
way before him, but lacking the patience
to. render it 4" harmonious whole the |
former, equally intent upon dniu., his work
thoroughly while imparting To tie came
that iuetfable ease, grace and d+Iicary (aIt's |
legitimate tr"phies) with wi.,",, all his
compositions abound. Goldsmith ID anoth-
er example of "true genius" the enchant-
ing effect of whose productions, both in
prose and rhyme, is doubtless due to their
charming simplicity-as the latter ia, un
questionably, due to the " botting" process
to which ali his etfnsions were mercilessly
submitted by their fastidious author. Nor
is it too much, in this connection, to main
tain that every literary production betray-
ing, on the part of it's author, evidence in
dubitabie of esprit, taste, and sense" be
trays, at the same time, the careful writer
and the true man of genius. In closing
these few and very imperfect remarks, then,
let us venture the opinion that the truly
elaborate writer is, in most cases, the true |
man of genius while he who mistakes dash
and impetuosity for power ia pretty sure,
in the end, to reap/disarpointment and
failure.