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Article ON THE INFELICITIES OF THE LEARNED. ← Page 2 of 2
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On The Infelicities Of The Learned.
for to perpetuate his memory and the public gratitude . His portrait will be engraved by the first artists , and it will be fashionable to seek after his fugitive pieces with avidity , which scarcelyj > rocure < l him a dinner in comfort . Some man of affluence , affecting a literary taste , may probably publish a splendid edition of his works , illustrated with biography and notes , and thereby put hundreds in his own pockecs , by colle & ing what the oriinal author sold for a trifle
g , scarcely sufficient to supply his decent necessities . Posthumous reputation is an ideal felicity with which some minds may amuse themselves , but it will soon lose its power of pleasing when sharp adversity distresses , chilling negleft mortifies , or proud contempt sinks us to the dust . He must have a strong principle of hope who shall , amid such perplexing obstructions , console himself
with the honour which shall attend him after his death . If such an idea does enter into the mind of a man in the season of tranquillity or success , it will most likely disappear when the deep shades of misfortune begin to cloud his days , and perplex his progress . Many are disposed to entertain unworthy sentiments of a man of letters who has no other calling by which to support himself . They are apt to condemn him as an idleimprovident person ^ possessed of
, , talents which are not usefully employed . It is far from my intention , to vindicate the indolence of my brethren , or to deny that there are many instances of men either quitting , or neglefting to adopt more suitable vocations , to pursue the chance-medley employment of authorship . Allowing this , yet , with respeft to men of real talent ,
pf strong conceptions , and ardent imaginations , it will be very hard , not . to say cruel , to condemn them for being mere authors . It frequently happens , that men of strong intellectual powers , extensive erudition , and great vigour of fancy , are thrown on the stream of life without any particular profession , or , what is as bad , without patrons and without fortunes . These men have recourse to the exercise of their talents for the purpose of a maintenance . And it is
well for literature that necessity compels those to be active , who , in a state of independence , would be indolent . This necessity brings forth what would otherwise remain in a barren obscurity . Many of the most brilliant , and many of the most useful works , owe their origin to this powerful principle . Had JOHNSON been a man of patrimonial fortune , he would either never have thought of compiling his
Dictionary , ( to say nothing of his Rambler , ) or he would never have had patient industry to complete it . Mechanical pursuits , or even the routine of professional engagements , 'require but little exertion of the mental faculties , as they are direfted in one way . Habit renders them familiar ; and the beaten trafi is pursued as much from inclination as duty . Literature , however , is various . Nor is the
mind at all times equally disposed to close thinking and laborious research . That indolence , therefore , which is charged on the student is , in general , a false accusation . From all these considerations , however , it must appear , that the sons of Genius are not to be envied , either on account of their talents , their occupation , their feelings , or their general condition in \ ty- w .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On The Infelicities Of The Learned.
for to perpetuate his memory and the public gratitude . His portrait will be engraved by the first artists , and it will be fashionable to seek after his fugitive pieces with avidity , which scarcelyj > rocure < l him a dinner in comfort . Some man of affluence , affecting a literary taste , may probably publish a splendid edition of his works , illustrated with biography and notes , and thereby put hundreds in his own pockecs , by colle & ing what the oriinal author sold for a trifle
g , scarcely sufficient to supply his decent necessities . Posthumous reputation is an ideal felicity with which some minds may amuse themselves , but it will soon lose its power of pleasing when sharp adversity distresses , chilling negleft mortifies , or proud contempt sinks us to the dust . He must have a strong principle of hope who shall , amid such perplexing obstructions , console himself
with the honour which shall attend him after his death . If such an idea does enter into the mind of a man in the season of tranquillity or success , it will most likely disappear when the deep shades of misfortune begin to cloud his days , and perplex his progress . Many are disposed to entertain unworthy sentiments of a man of letters who has no other calling by which to support himself . They are apt to condemn him as an idleimprovident person ^ possessed of
, , talents which are not usefully employed . It is far from my intention , to vindicate the indolence of my brethren , or to deny that there are many instances of men either quitting , or neglefting to adopt more suitable vocations , to pursue the chance-medley employment of authorship . Allowing this , yet , with respeft to men of real talent ,
pf strong conceptions , and ardent imaginations , it will be very hard , not . to say cruel , to condemn them for being mere authors . It frequently happens , that men of strong intellectual powers , extensive erudition , and great vigour of fancy , are thrown on the stream of life without any particular profession , or , what is as bad , without patrons and without fortunes . These men have recourse to the exercise of their talents for the purpose of a maintenance . And it is
well for literature that necessity compels those to be active , who , in a state of independence , would be indolent . This necessity brings forth what would otherwise remain in a barren obscurity . Many of the most brilliant , and many of the most useful works , owe their origin to this powerful principle . Had JOHNSON been a man of patrimonial fortune , he would either never have thought of compiling his
Dictionary , ( to say nothing of his Rambler , ) or he would never have had patient industry to complete it . Mechanical pursuits , or even the routine of professional engagements , 'require but little exertion of the mental faculties , as they are direfted in one way . Habit renders them familiar ; and the beaten trafi is pursued as much from inclination as duty . Literature , however , is various . Nor is the
mind at all times equally disposed to close thinking and laborious research . That indolence , therefore , which is charged on the student is , in general , a false accusation . From all these considerations , however , it must appear , that the sons of Genius are not to be envied , either on account of their talents , their occupation , their feelings , or their general condition in \ ty- w .