The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1897-02-03
GENIUS Or INSANITY
THE FADs AND PeCULiARlTlES OF
WRITERS AND COMPOSERS.

rnnumerable Ways of Supplying Mental
Misunderstanding Manies That Lem.
broso Incorrectly Regards as Mental
Alterations.
1t is not an easy matter to try to draw
the frontier line CT insanity. Although
certain psychologists, baaing their opin-
ion on the physical anomalies and &C.
contricities Of mind observed in men OF
genius. claim, with apparent reason,
that genius and insanity are the Same
thing, it is going to excess to consider
writers and artists insane in whom
queer traits and little manias appear.
In this respect Lombroso and his disci-
pies have gone too far, their tendency
being to make no distinction between
genius and talent.
Genius is an anomaly, but an anon
ally that the whole world is satisfied to
admire. It is constituted BY the exag-
gerated developm ent Of a single faculty,
USUALLY at the expense of the others.
This ia the cause CT the imperfections Of
these brilliant meteors and the exniana-
ton Of their degeneracy on other points.
Essentially spontaneous and original
genius is u natural phenomenon that we
cannot explain, although it ia unques-
tionably the result Of natural causes.
Talent is different. 1t is the fruit Of
work and sustained application, and il
Can be acquired and developed at any
time. At the present day, for instance,
there are few men Of genius among
painters, and yet they almost all have
talent. The consequence is that the
greater number of the paintings in our
exhibitions are pleasing to US, although
nc exceptional work fills Us with admi-
ration and reveals a painter Of genius.
Actious, therefore, in appearance x
t%raordinary do not warrant us In infer.
ring insanity on the part Of those who
accomplish item, especially as these &C.
tions, however abnormal they may seem
at first, are often very rational and jus.
tifiable.
Thus, in order to be able to mediate
at their ease, many writers insist on not
being disturbed by anything and seek
seclusjon. Montague, in his moments
Of inspiration, Used to run out Of his
house and 60 and shut himself up in an
old tower, into which no one else enter
ed. Jean Jacques Rousseau used to
mediate in The fields while gathering
flowers in tie sunshine. In order to
shut out the noise Of the world he liked
to bury himself in the hay or close his
ears with cotton.
Others csn only compose with success
in the midst cf tumults. The celebrated
Italian composer Cimarosa was Of this
number, and oufy found the fine motives
OF his operas in the midst Of the joys
and noise of the crowd.
Such was also the professor Of whom
Felix Regnault says that be could only
lecture in the midst of a great racket.
When his scholars wished to manifest
against him, they Kept absolute silence,
as under such conditions he was inca
pable Of making an addition even.
Just as noise stimulates the brain OF
some, molten quickens the circulation
of Others, whence the large number Of
persons who a only compose while
exercising. Ampere could not explain
clearly even the things he knew best
unless the action OF his brain was helped
by exercise. Victor Hugo. while com.
posing, walked about muttering to him
self.
In our day many writer's prefer to
walk. Cetulle Mendes walks mp and
down, and then writes at his desk; Jean
Lombard. the we'll known writer. who
died q few years ago, walked a great
deal; Mistral, the Proyenoal poet, com.
poses while walking.
On the other hand, certain writers
avoid all motion, probably on account
Of their weak constitutions, and in order
to stimulate the brain circulation put
themselves in a horizontal position. For
example, Descartes, who used to lie
down m~otionless, and Cujas, who could
only work profitably lying on his stom-
ach on the carpet.
A whole class Of writers, Theophile
Gautier, Baudelaire, Francois Coppee
and Scaccini, require the presence Of
cats to write. Gautier used to have as
many as - or 10. Leon Cladal writes
in wooden shoes, in the society OF bis
dog in q garrett. at intervals he takes
his dog eff for o walk.
Intellectual stimulants are largely
used, among which coffee is a great ia
yorite. Lortzing drank bowls of it while
composing his melodies. and Balzac used
it to great excess. De Musset. Poe, Yer.
laine and many others preferred alcohol,
while Schubert wrote his beautiful So
natas nnder the influence Of large guam
titles OF Rhine wine.
Tobacco smoke is also much used.
Flaubert could not write a word until
he had smoked three or four large pipes
and bali q dozen very strong cigars.
Daudet smokes enormously. Catulle
Mendes smokes cigars while writing
and often has three or four going at the
same time through observation-disclosures
Perfumes were highly appreciated by
Baudelaire, TheopLile Gautier. Lott and
MaiZcroy. Byron couldn't write with
out having the odcr of trufles about him
and frequently carried his pockets fall
Of them. Cooper ected On his sense Of
taste by filing his mouth with honey
tablets and small pieces OF licoxice.
Caroias Duran and Anne Morot worked
themselves up before painting by play.
ing the Piano and organ. Darwin pre-.
ferred the violin.
Tho siDgaiarities, queer traits and
even nanias to which | have just called