Newark post., 1911-08-09
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OLD SHIpTON
The Man Whose Genius Was
Immortal

lItS 1lSocllllllS OldSSeS. II brought
down a good deal of invective
from the kickers themselves, who
somehow got hold of it, but it re-
celved the approval OF The Best
People, to whom it was addressed.
Robinson would not have toucll-
ed Bernard with ;orty foot pole
after that; SO, as we soon had oc-
casion to interview him, we de-
spatched Tripod, a rather doui t.
ful member OF our circle, by the
way. In Tripod we are forever
combating tendency to sympathy
for fools and encouragement OF
the schemes of visionaries. But,
as he is easily governed by public
opinion and possessed of qualities
otherwise commendable, we have
thus far borne with his offences.
On the day in question, he con-
fessed to a sensation of embarrass-
ment, as Bernard rose, and offered
him the only available chair in the
room. "Allow me, Harriet" said
he, turning to his wife, ito intro
duce Mr.. Tripod"
Il bowed to Harriet, says Trl-
pod, and wished myself in Arabia,
the fellows manner was so arctic
cold. The children, having glanc
ed UP at me fltm the coarse sew
ing upon which they were employ
ed, went on with their work. |
thought them duller, somewhat
less good-looking than when | saw
them last. They were Out at ell
bow and heel, and formed an alb
Surd contrast to Bernard's last
poem on theme of Moorish
opulence.
perhaps | smiled unconscious
ly. At any rate, Bernard, without
waiting ;or me to speak, enquired
! with an accession of hauteur
May | ask to what am | indebted
for this visit?"
Il informed him briefly, that
had come to interview him; that
his article on 'Idealism and the
Religious Sense in the Paragon
had arOunse comment, and | was
sent by that organ to see the
writer.
AT this, phantom Of a smile
fitted over his features, and hs
opened his mouth and talked-ys
gods, how he did talk There was
a fearful earnestness about him
and | could see that whateve,
soul he had, whatever gifts of any
order-they were bound to come
out. Even we (and Tripod ignor
ed the grim smile that went rounc
our circle who are accustomed tc
dealing with fanatics and mad
can not fail to be affected by the
tragedy of case like this. TO die
without capabilities is unimport
ant, but to die possessing them ye,
unable to materialize then-tha
is the profundity of anguish! Who
could have seen this fellows face
who could have heard him talk
without being cheated out of hi:
old theories of forcing an eagle tc
crawl?"
"Such fire and emotion! SucI
nervous force and brilliancy! Tc
listen to him was like drinking
champagne up to the widest point
Yet ! followed the counsel O
this august body, to which | have
the honor to belong. | said tc
myself, No,-this is not Genius
The seats of the gods are obvious.
ly filled; there is no room for thi.
man. Gag him; hand-cuff him
compel him to put on his uniform
and fall in rank with the common
place. My hand was on the latcl
OF the door, but | turned back, tc
quote passage from Goethe =
'Mediocrity,' said |, and grinnec
pleasantly, has no greater conso
lation than in the thought tina
genius is not immortal
He flung my hand from him
as if it had stung him. Not i'm
mortal he cried, Not immortal
BY Homer! By Dante By Shakes
peare! By those intellectual giants
who have never dicd! 1t is i'm
mortal. And II, sir. shall taste
of its ommortality!'
A thread of blood, which h,
quickly buried in his handkerchief
started from his lips, as he uttered
these words.
X
Well, he died, and his wife soor
followed him; an instance of tn,
imbecility OF a mans wasting hi.
life on conviction which his con
| temDOrarieS do not share Al