LONGEVITY AND FAME.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XI, Issue 43, 28 October 1893, Page 353

LONGEVITY AND FAME.

It all geuerals bad died at Alexander's age, all poets at Marlowe's, all statesman at Pitt’s, all philosophers at Spinoza’s, how many men would have missed a reputation '.

GENEKALS.

Hannibal was, indeed, only 29 when he invaded Italy, Conde but 22 when he won Rocroy, airi Napoleon, according to the alleged date of his birth 27 (more probably 291 when be started on his Italian campaign ; but Ca sar was 45 when he commenced the conquest of Gaul, Gustavus Adolphus 37 when he defeated Tilly at Leipsic, and Cromwell 45 when he gained Matstou Moor. Frederick IL, though only 28 on overrunning Silesia, was 45 when he embarked in the Seven Years’ War. Washington was 43 on his appointment to the command of the army. Wellington, had be died at 39, would have been known merely as a promising Indian officer. POETS.

Keats, dying at 25. Shelley at 30, Byron at 36. had achieved fame. Had Goethe been as short-lived as Marlowe. he simply would have been the author of ‘ Gotz von IDrlichingen ’ and of ‘ Werther,’ works which cannot compare with those of the men just named. Even Shakespeare, early as he began to write, would not, had be died young, have bequeathed us ‘Othello,’ ‘Hamlet,’ ‘Macbeth,’ or ‘ L-ar,’ but merely his minor plays, some of them remodelled rather than original works. Spenser was 37 when be began publishing the ‘ Faery Queen ’ Milton was 52 when be set himself to wiiting ‘ Paradise Lost. ’ Dante was 37 when banished from Florence, and he had scarcely commenced bis great poem. Virgil was 34 when he begin the ‘ Georgies,'and 44 when he began the • .Eueid.’ Tennyson, though only 21 on his first appearance in print, was 41 on the publication of • In Memoriam ;' but Browning at 30 had issued examples of nearly all his varied works, ranging from • Pauline ’ to some of bis most famous dramatic lyrics, and including ‘ Pippa Passes.’ Schiller, it is true, produced his ‘ Brigands,’ the work of fervid youth, at 22, but he was 40 when he commenced with • Wallenstein, his series of masterpieces. Burns, again, was famous at 27, bat Scott was 37 when ‘ Marmion ’ ap peared, and Wordsworth was 44 when ‘The Excursion’ saw the light, though it may have b;en years in prepara tion. STATESMEN. Statesmanship and youth cannot be expected to go together. Pitt, indeed, was Prime Minister at 24, Buileigb was Elizabeth s Minister at 38, and M alpole was Premier at the same age : but Walpole’s long lease of power did not commence till he was 44. Fox was 56 when he became Foreign Secretary. Palmerston did not reach the highest post till he was 70, his long Premiership not beginning till he was 75. Gladstone was not Premier till 59 Beaconsfield, a'beit Premier for a few months at 62, was 68 when he entered on a six years’ term of office. Cavour was 50 when he undertook the liberation of Italy. Bismarck was 48 when he gained power. PHILOSOPHERS. Philosophy also implies mature years. Pascal, indeed, died at 39; but Breon was 59 when he published the ‘ Novum Organum, Descartes 48 when he fully expounded his doctrines in his • Principles of Philosophy.’ Hobbes 54 when he appeared in print, Kant 57 when he issued the ‘Critique of Pure Reason;' Rousseau, only 37 when he wrote his paradoxical defence of barbarism, was 50 when he published his ‘Social Contract.’ HISTORIANS. Historians likewise require experiences of life and years of research. Buckle, it is true, died at 39, and Froode began his history at 38; but Hume and Prescott were 43, and Macaulay 48 when their first volumes appeared. FOUNDERS OF SECTS. For founders of sects no rules can be laid down. George Fox, in the ferment of the civil wars, began hiscateerat 23, and Wesley commenced itinerant preaching at 35 ; but Mahomet was 40 when he found his vocation,'and Swedenborg, had he died at 60; would have been known only as a scientist.

Great as have been some men who have died young, who knows how much greater they would have been bad their lives been prolonged ! Might not Mailowe have rivalled Shakespeare? Yet possibly Byron iiad already given us his best, and Shelley and Keats might not have surpassed their early efforts.