Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1878-12-12
Genius and Industry.
ny WALTER MARcELLus HArsrs.


Il Is question frequently asked. and as
ireluehtiy receiving unsatisfactory answers,
Which is preferable, genius without industry
or industry without genius. The greate- mart
OF mankind prefer the former. They say in
dustry Is poor, abject worm, who Greens
upon the earth; to whom each blade Of grass
appears forest, each pebble a mountain.
each drop OF dew mighty lake who in the
simplest things discovers wonders: whose
comprehension is as bounded as his territory
as Sroyeling as his station. Genius, on the
contrary, scars above the earth, spurns the
base IDEAS OF his companions and aspires TO
hold communication with heaven. Let us
examine whether this be correct or not.
GENIUS, it is trne, does raise man above bis
fellows; il enables him to discern charms and
projections where others see none, it gives
him lively sensibility to the beauties Of art
and nature, to the noblest feelings of the heart
But sti that sensibiity, when not met and
sustained by cordiality, renders him miserable
and painfully alive to grief The delight ex-
perienced by men of genius, when eoniemnla-
ting the wonders of nature, or when poring
over the works of " kindred souls. Is one
OF the purest md greatest that can be felt.
Inc man OF industry can seldom experience
TINS delight; he can never leave the beaten
track OF common minds; but, sometimes.
though his talents be not great, he may dispute
the re-eminence with genius itself
IL - common complaint made against the
world that it is seldom capable Of approaching
genius. and that it invariably neglects it. II
10 said. men of the noblest genius have perish
ed III want; have written their finest produc
tons in the midst of penury. This cannot be
disputed but il, from circumstances peculiarly
unfortunate, and from the real neglect Of
patrons and of the world. men of genius have
died in misery, this surely does not argue that
all those who possess genius should make no
endeavor to gain distinction, but should wait
until mankind seek for and discover them.
ms complaint has often for its foundation
.ne want OF industry and perseverance in the
complainant
10 be convinced of this, let us enter the
ABODE OF the man of genius without industry.
we md him passing his precious hours in
idleness, or wasting his talents on frivolous
and unworthy subjects. If we examine the
literary labors that occupy his time. we see
numerous works begun, none finished we see
productions that would have immortalzed his
name, entirely DESTROYED in fit of misanthro.
ply. or detaced by some trivial salies of wit
which at the moment struck his fancy: adj
vantageous offers made him from every quarter
and rejected with cold disdain; and we hear
i'i'' iouuiy eAciaiui against the blindness and
ignorance of the world, that thus depress and
abandon genius. In the man of industry we
find the reverse. He knows that on his talents
he never can depend for subsistence that ID
is only by labor and perseverance that he can
ever acquire wealth and esteem. This con.
seriousness makes HIM redouble his efforts and
frequently he succeeds
Genius, without industry, is perverted or
destroyed; genius aud industry ensure to
thelr possessor the greatest advantages. The
literary seek him ON account of his talents
the worldly, because he shows himself not
destitute OF common sense, although ne is a
moonstruck poet;" the prudent, because he ia
careful and persevering; and those who are
both literary and prudent, for the combination
OF blessings he possesses On the one side.
we lind misconceptions; on the other, unre,
uniting execution. When genius despairs.
industry encourages and excites him to emu
lation; when industry, for want of employ
ment, languishes, genius gives him train Of
ideas on which to employ his indefatigable
powers.
As genius without industry can never be-
cone useful or esteemed and as industry
without genius seldom can obtain renown: so.
by the union of these two qualities, the most
beneficial results are produced, and he in
whom they are both united can never fail Of
success.