The morning call., 1890-05-04
THE FIRE OF GENIUS.
A Divine Gift That Is Conferred
Upon but Few.

E1VERYBODY is not born genius. II we
EGs could only comprehend this III early life
E-A how much needless anxiety and suffering
- could be avoided. TO sit like the tabled
roc Oh the great egg 10 hatch out some magnif-
cent problem for the benefit OF the humIn race
or some mighty conception OF art or treasures OF
words that burn into the very soul with their
truth and beauty Is grand occupation, aud the
intellectual world is Illuminated and purified by
these results as The material world Is by the
flashes OF lightning. But the world could not
exist by lightning alone, neither could there be
great and prosperous nations IL each person WAS
genius.
counted on your fingers, but the useful plodding,
perseyerinS ones, who really make the world the
enjoyable place II Is, are innumerable. We can
all become one OF these. II is not everybody
who appreciates Munkaesy or Millet. yet they
are geniuses and have helped TO illuminate the
world; but our home Artists, who give our
fields and mountains as we know them, ara
understood and give pleasure TO many who are
not always looking for The name In the corner Of
The picture.
There is many a little newspaper poem that
has touched Tie heart that Shakespeare failed TO
move. There are many pretty stories treas
uTed up IN cur memories that we think OF with
pleasure, when We have entirely forgotten some
great mans book. Patient persistence In any
pursuit brings results almost equal 10 genius
Genius is periodical, not continuous. If one pro-
duces glorious bOok-Ihe pure quick product
of genius-he is exhausted with the effort as a
great actor is nightly after his performance. He
needs rest, diversion aud generous treatment TO
Iecuperate Tor another grand effort.
But the patient plodder aecomplishes a little
day by day. cheering ard teaching by his work
The more humble, and producing in the aggre-
gale something falling but little short OF the
products OF tile more gifted. Most OF the great
Scientific intentions have not been accomplished
by flashes OF genius. but by patient, steady nyes.
LEGATION ana study. Notice Edison, for Instance,
and how many names could be added to his.
Perhaps IL is well that even talent should not be
recognized TOO quickly. II might prevent the
fruiti0n that comes by practice aud perseverance,;
II might prevent us doing our best, aud leave us
cOntentcd with inferior work as long as 1t pays.
ii miniature efforts in any department OF art,
science or literature were too readily accepted,
would it not cause deterioration in all those
pursuitS'in which We should aim 10 do our very
best, yet ever strive TO do better?
Perseverance ana determination must stand in
the place Of genius to many, because this path
way is open TO all without money and without
price, but genius comes TO but few. 1t is god
given, and can neither be purchased by time nor
money. But do not give up, because tile divine
fire does not flow through your VEINS kemem-
Der that genuses, personally, have been the
most unhappy Of mOTtals. To be happy and do
ing should content ordinary human beings; they
should not want the world 10 be wholly IN their
grasp. A. X. S.