GENIUS IN THE ROUGH. (Liberal Review.)

Waikato Times, Volume V, Issue 303, 21 April 1874, Page 2

GENIUS IN THE ROUGH. (Liberal Review.)

Wealth and position .ire almost omnipotent. Genius, when it it allied to them, i» really irresistible. Genius in the rough has no chance against it. It is a. pity that genius iv the rough will not recognise this fact, wate»d of trying to perauado itself that raouoy and position should bow down before mtollect, immediately upon the latter anuouncmg its presenco. A. poet may try to tulk his neighbours and himself into the belief that social distinctions are mere artificialities winch the philosopher should treat with the contempt they deserve, and which genius ihould pan oTer as if thoy did not oxist j but when he enters the draw-ing-room of a duchess — or, for the matter of that, the draw-ing-room of a millionaire banker— he finds that he cannot disregard thorn in that high-and-mighty fashion which he imagines he ought. Tbo duchess may be vastly inferior to him, judged merely from an intellectual point of view, but yet he it unable to hold his own against her j he has to take the second place, and submit to bo patronised. The millionaire banker may be a very couiiaonplace- being indeed, but, for all th>xt, ho has no difficulty in lording it over our poet, who toon discover* that talent — unassisted by astonishing results— is at a discount, and that ho bad best say as little as possible, for the simple reason that what little ho doe* state will not bo attended to if it does not hit the great man's fancy. It will be found that the poor genius, though for a time ho may strugglo, will at last fall naturally into the *econd place— a fac^ evidenced by the fact that he follows rather than leads m conversation, and advances hit opinions in a half-hearted timorous fashion, as if he were afraid that they would not meet with a favorable reception, and that he could not maintain them m the face of opposition. Of course it is open to him to talk against and write against those who extort unwilling homage 5 and it is due to him to say that he a\aiis himself of this privilege to such a large extent that his Rre-iflv overburdened and mortified soul is much relieved. In mil piobability ho is more than a inateh for his distinguished opponents, either with his tongue or wifch his pen, when circumstances are in his favor. But, then, the misfortune is that it i* very seldom circumstances are in lii& favor, for his opponents treat his effusions with calm disdain, and only meet him when they are surrounded by all tho magnificence and dignity of their state. Genius in the rough does not take kindly to all this. People, by the way, seldom do take kindly to the inevitable. It is constantly chafing, fuming, eynicising, and. trying to mend matters. Its fellows are condemned' in unsparing terms for the very weakness which,, in a marked degree, it displays itself. It talks at a great rate about the vulgar ostentation of riches, the criminal worship of mammon, and the contumely and neglect to- which true merit is often exposed. It makes a point of getting into a terribly bad temper after it lias rubbed shoulders with wealth. This conduct it somewhat illogical. In this practical ago power is the only thing which commands respect. Now. wealth is power } so, too, the old prorerb tells us, is knowledge and intellect. It is, then., merely a question of quantity as to which shall take the prceodence. If a certain amount of wealth can do more than a certain amount of talent, then tin wealth, naturally, must command. Wealth quietly and contentedly accepts this tew of the situation, but. genius, or that which fancies itself genius, grumbles. Wherefore ? Generally the end of genius it but to obtain wealth, and with wealth that culture, demeanour, and artificial style with winch it ii invariably accompanied. It would be mucn better if genius, mstend of going about moaning and groaning,, would furbish itself up so that it might be abb to hold its own against any amount of wealth. But then, genius, oxcept iv very exceptional cases, is imitative, and it copies wealth, thus evidencing that it considers wealth has attained the highest point of perfection yet reached. Copyists never succeed like originals, and this gives wealth much advantage. Genius fails in another important respect. It often asks us to take it on trust. If a mail has written a fair book, painted a good picture, or displayed elevated taslea, he at «nee imagines himself superior to those who devote their attention to what lie describes a» mete money-grubbing or to maintaining a position in society. He is, he lets it be understood, a man of taste, sentiment, and refinement — they are soraetlung the reverse — and, if he does not show his- man)' good parts, people should have good sense enough to divine them. This is coolly egotistical, but hardly justifiable. Now., wealth seldom asks- us to take it oir t rust. Indiflerent to everything else, it shows itself, in the form of beautiful grounds, grand pictures, rich dresses, palatial mansions, and other cognate fashions. It would rather be deemed solid than clever, and does not care to learn to amuse itsulf for the simple nenson that it can pay others to entertain it. There genius- (?) steps in and sneeringly asks what is wealth that it should be though so much, of, seoing that its possessors are helpless and, practically, useless. Well, it is power and it is the representative of so much Lutelect. It has not been made without labcur, and without brains— save in very exceptional cases. People do aot often, amass fortunes by " flukes" nowadays any more than they do by hard work. Fortunes are made by judgment, smartness, general ability, and, occasionally, by impudence. But even impudence is a talent, when.it is well carried out. Wealth, then, can afford to rest on its oars, and it is certain that w hatever it chooses to do will, for a long fime to come, be "the thin*." Genius in the rough had better recognise this fact and act accordingly. Let it, as a commencement, throw aside its bypochondriacal cynicism, and cease to imagine that it is feared, and hence attempts are made to " keep it down."