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may be extended throughout our whole life without any danger of the
inconveniences with which it is charged； of enfeebling the mind； or
preventing us from giving that original air which every work undoubtedly
ought always to have。
I am； on the contrary； persuaded that by imitation only； variety； and
even originality of invention is produced。
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I will go further； even genius； at least what generally is so called； is the
child of imitation。 But as this appears to be contrary to the general
opinion； I must explain my position before I enforce it。
Genius is supposed to be a power of producing excellences which are
out of the reach of the rules of arta power which no precepts can teach；
and which no industry can acquire。
This opinion of the impossibility of acquiring those beauties which
stamp the work with the character of genius； supposes that it is something
more fixed than in reality it is； and that we always do； and ever did agree；
about what should be considered as a characteristic of genius。
But the truth is that the degree of excellence which proclaims genius is
different in different times and different places； and what shows it to be so
is that mankind have often changed their opinion upon this matter。
When the arts were in their infancy； the power of merely drawing the
likeness of any object was considered as one of its greatest efforts。
The common people； ignorant of the principles of art； talk the same
language even to this day。 But when it was found that every man could
be taught to do this； and a great deal more； merely by the observance of
certain precepts； the name of genius then shifted its application； and was
given only to those who added the peculiar character of the object they
represented； to those who had invention； expression； grace； or dignity； or；
in short； such qualities or excellences the producing of which could not
then be taught by any known and promulgated rules。
We are very sure that the beauty of form； the expression of the
passions； the art of composition； even the power of giving a general air of
grandeur to your work； is at present very much under the dominion of
rules。 These excellences were； heretofore； considered merely as the
effects of genius； and justly； if genius is not taken for inspiration； but as
the effect of close observation and experience。
He who first made any of these observations and digested them； so as
to form an invariable principle for himself to work by； had that merit； but
probably no one went very far at once； and generally the first who gave
the hint did not know how to pursue it steadily and methodically； at least
not in the beginning。 He himself worked on it； and improved it； others
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worked more； and improved farther； until the secret was discovered； and
the practice made as general as refined practice can be made。 How many
more principles may be fixed and ascertained we cannot tell； but as
criticism is likely to go hand in hand with the art which is its subject； we
may venture to say that as that art shall advance； its powers will be still
more and more fixed by rules。
But by whatever strides criticism may gain ground； we need be under
no apprehension that invention will ever be annihilated or subdued； or
intellectual energy be brought entirely within the restraint of written law。
Genius will still have room enough to expatiate； and keep always the same
distance from narrow comprehension and mechanical performance。
What we now call genius begins； not where rules； abstractedly taken；
end； but where known vulgar and trite rules have no longer any place。 It
must of necessity be that even works of genius； as well as every other
effect； as it must have its cause； must likewise have its rules； it cannot be
by chance that excellences are produced with any constancy； or any
certainty； for this is not the nature of chance； but the rules by which men
of extraordinary parts； and such as are called men of genius work； are
either such as they discover by their own peculiar observation； or of such a
nice texture as not easily to admit handling or expressing in words；
especially as artists are not very frequently skilful in that mode of
communicating ideas。
Unsubstantial； however； as these rules may seem； and difficult as it
may be to convey them in writing； they are still seen and felt in the mind
of the artist； and he works from them with as much certainty as if they
were embodied； as I may say； upon paper。 It is true these refined
principles cannot be always made palpable； like the more gross rules of art；
yet it does not follow but that the mind may be put in such a train that it
shall perceive； by a kind of scientific sense； that propriety which words；
particularly words of unpractised writers such as we are； can but very
feebly suggest。
Invention is one of the great marks of genius； but if we consult
experience； we shall find that it is by being conversant with the inventions
of others that we learn to invent； as by reading the thoughts of others we
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learn to think。
Whoever has so far formed his taste as to be able to relish and feel the
beauties of the great masters has gone a great way in his study； for； merely
from a consciousness of this relish of the right； the mind swells with an
inward pride； and is almost as powerfully affected as if it had itself
produced what it admires。 Our hearts frequently warmed in this manner by
the contact of those whom we wish to resemble； will undoubtedly catch
something of their way of thinking； and we shall receive in our own
bosoms some radiation at least of their fire and splendour。 That
disposition； which is so strong in children； still continues with us； of
catching involuntarily the general air and manner of those with whom we
are most