The Wilmingtonian., 1884-11-08
GENIUS AND INSANITY.

of criticism has tried to break down the
barrier between ordinary minds and men of
genius, by proving that genius differs in de
gree but not in kind from common intellects.
That this tendency should have grown i'll
favor with critics is not surprising, it is
merely an illustration of that larger tend
ency in modern science to regard all organ
ic begins as related, and to obliterate the
line of separation between the lowest men
and the highest animals. But after accept
ing the assertion that men of genius are on
ly ordinary men with some intellectual
qualities developed to an unusual degree,
how does that make genius any the less lie.
maikable? 1t is in the difference that the
marvel lies, and not in the resemblance,
Science will never be able to more than rec
ord that difference; it will never bo able 70
explain it.
So when we ar told that Shakespeare or
Goethe was the product OF his time, we need
not quarrel with the statement; but we know
that no explanation of the fact that Shake
speare was, can be given. That particular
individuality which distinguished him from
all other men, whether they were contem-
porary or not, cannot be explained by REFER.
ing to the age or to the environment in which
he lived. Yet it is not uninteresting to
men of genius and the common human being,
and this has recently been done by Ger
man, who has compared the symptoms OF
genius with the symptoms of insanity. His
work is rot likely to attract SO much atten-
tion as that of Cation npon 'Hereditary
Genius" but it presents many curious and
suggestive data, which go to illustrate the
fact that the intellectual excitement which
produces work of genius resembles often
times the unhealthy excitement of insan-
ity.
Numerous cases can be presented Of wri-
ters of great power, who while under the
influence of "inspration" seem to have
been insensible to the ordinary affairs of
life around them. Many masterpieces have
been produced as it were in fever of cere-
bral exaltion. Goethe, we know, felt that
he would go mad if he did not relieve his
mind by writing "Werther," Shelley's
sensitive nature grew abnormally sensitive
when in the process of composition. Coler-
dige sometimes actually realized the condi-
tions of insanity by the pernieious stimulus
Of opium, bnt bis best work came before
that habit was fixed upon him. Carlyle
never brought forth history save with
great agony of mind enhanced by dyspepsia.
Poe--if more ordinary writer may be
classed with these great names--often wrote
| when nearly crazy, his ''inspiration" being
brandy as well as muse. Artists Of all kinds
are proverbally irritable and nervous. Mu-
sical composers of the first rank-Beethoyen
Schubert, Wagner, Berlioz-were all cccen-
| tric. But having mentioned eccentricity,
irritabillity nervousness and exaltion, the
contrast between the genius and the insane
person ceases, the former produces works OF
keen reasoning or sublm.ty, the latter pro-
duces nothing save incoherent rawlings.
One writer thus describes the genuine fer.
vor of genius with its counterfeit, the slim
ulated fervor caused by narcotics or alcohol
The pulse rises, the eyes. sin fine frenzy
rolling" assume an unnatural brilliancy
the forehead is hot; the personality of the
forgotten, and every facial muscle is cleo
trified by the strong nervous currents il
such way that the couutenance ordinary
homely and gloomy may assume an expires
sion or radiant beauty. 1t is in this seething
cerebral process immortal thoughts are
brewed, and associations formed between
ideas and facts that no mind had previously
connected. Thinking is usually considered
laborious process, and it is to beginner
as playing is to one who first learns hi'
scales on the piano; but when he has learned
mprovisations-the spontaneous reproduc
tion of spontaneous thoughts-the accom-
panying mental state is one Of intense pleas
sciouness which ensues whom cerebral pro
cesses are easy and rapid-sadness bcini
the reverse. This is a point of great impoI
tance in explaining the affinity of genius t
insanity Almost any professional write
may, physically at least, get himself int
the state just described, if he will form til
habit Of working very late at night, assist
ed by such stimulus as very strong te
or coffee. About one clock thoughts wi
begin to flow with delightful ease, md every
: thing becomes wonderfully clear. This
sure to be followed next day by great fat
: que and prostration, and if often repeate
: will end in headaches and nervous collaps,
j These descriptions apply to men of gent
u and to men of talents, but the experience {
the very greatest proves how far genius
|, from insanity. No one can believe this
N Shakespeare worked in a frenzy or that h
'l needed stimulants to goad on his laggir