Yetthisincessantmovementandprogressionwhichallthingspartakecouldneverbecomesensibletousbutbycontrasttosomeprincipleoffixtureorstabilityinthesoul。Whilsttheeternalgenerationofcirclesproceeds，theeternalgeneratorabides。Thatcentrallifeissomewhatsuperiortocreation，superiortoknowledgeandthought，andcontainsallitscircles。Foreveritlaborstocreatealifeandthoughtaslargeandexcellentasitself；butinvain；forthatwhichismadeinstructshowtomakeabetter。
Thusthereisnosleep，nopause，nopreservation，butallthingsrenew，germinate，andspring。Whyshouldweimportragsandrelicsintothenewhour？Natureabhorstheold，andoldageseemstheonlydisease；allothersrunintothisone。Wecallitbymanynames，——fever，intemperance，insanity，stupidity，andcrime；theyareallformsofoldage；theyarerest，conservatism，appropriation，inertia，notnewness，notthewayonward。Wegrizzleeveryday。I
seenoneedofit。Whilstweconversewithwhatisaboveus，wedonotgrowold，butgrowyoung。Infancy，youth，receptive，aspiring，withreligiouseyelookingupward，countsitselfnothing，andabandonsitselftotheinstructionflowingfromallsides。Butthemanandwomanofseventyassumetoknowall，theyhaveoutlivedtheirhope，theyrenounceaspiration，accepttheactualforthenecessary，andtalkdowntotheyoung。Letthem，then，becomeorgansoftheHolyGhost；letthembelovers；letthembeholdtruth；andtheireyesareuplifted，theirwrinklessmoothed，theyareperfumedagainwithhopeandpower。Thisoldageoughtnottocreeponahumanmind。Innatureeverymomentisnew；thepastisalwaysswallowedandforgotten；thecomingonlyissacred。Nothingissecurebutlife，transition，theenergizingspirit。Nolovecanbeboundbyoathorcovenanttosecureitagainstahigherlove。Notruthsosublimebutitmaybetrivialto-morrowinthelightofnewthoughts。Peoplewishtobesettled；onlyasfarastheyareunsettledisthereanyhopeforthem。
Lifeisaseriesofsurprises。Wedonotguessto-daythemood，thepleasure，thepowerofto-morrow，whenwearebuildingupourbeing。Oflowerstates，——ofactsofroutineandsense，——wecantellsomewhat；butthemasterpiecesofGod，thetotalgrowthsanduniversalmovementsofthesoul，hehideth；theyareincalculable。I
canknowthattruthisdivineandhelpful；buthowitshallhelpmeI
canhavenoguess，for_sotobe_isthesoleinletof_sotoknow。_
Thenewpositionoftheadvancingmanhasallthepowersoftheold，yethasthemallnew。Itcarriesinitsbosomalltheenergiesofthepast，yetisitselfanexhalationofthemorning。Icastawayinthisnewmomentallmyoncehoardedknowledge，asvacantandvain。
Now，forthefirsttime，seemItoknowanythingrightly。Thesimplestwords，——wedonotknowwhattheymean，exceptwhenweloveandaspire。
Thedifferencebetweentalentsandcharacterisadroitnesstokeeptheoldandtroddenround，andpowerandcouragetomakeanewroadtonewandbettergoals。Charactermakesanoverpoweringpresent；acheerful，determinedhour，whichfortifiesallthecompany，bymakingthemseethatmuchispossibleandexcellentthatwasnotthoughtof。Characterdullstheimpressionofparticularevents。Whenweseetheconqueror，wedonotthinkmuchofanyonebattleorsuccess。Weseethatwehadexaggeratedthedifficulty。
Itwaseasytohim。Thegreatmanisnotconvulsibleortormentable；
eventspassoverhimwithoutmuchimpression。Peoplesaysometimes，`SeewhatIhaveovercome；seehowcheerfulIam；seehowcompletelyIhavetriumphedovertheseblackevents。\'Notiftheystillremindmeoftheblackevent。Trueconquestisthecausingthecalamitytofadeanddisappear，asanearlycloudofinsignificantresultinahistorysolargeandadvancing。
Theonethingwhichweseekwithinsatiabledesireistoforgetourselves，tobesurprisedoutofourpropriety，toloseoursempiternalmemory，andtodosomethingwithoutknowinghoworwhy；
inshort，todrawanewcircle。Nothinggreatwaseverachievedwithoutenthusiasm。Thewayoflifeiswonderful：itisbyabandonment。Thegreatmomentsofhistoryarethefacilitiesofperformancethroughthestrengthofideas，astheworksofgeniusandreligion。“Aman，“saidOliverCromwell，“neverrisessohighaswhenheknowsnotwhitherheisgoing。“Dreamsanddrunkenness，theuseofopiumandalcoholarethesemblanceandcounterfeitofthisoraculargenius，andhencetheirdangerousattractionformen。Forthelikereason，theyasktheaidofwildpassions，asingamingandwar，toapeinsomemannertheseflamesandgenerositiesoftheheart。
INTELLECT
Go，speedthestarsofThoughtOntotheirshininggoals；——
Thesowerscattersbroadhisseed，Thewheatthoustrew\'stbesouls。
ESSAYXI_Intellect_
Everysubstanceisnegativelyelectrictothatwhichstandsaboveitinthchemicaltables，positivelytothatwhichstandsbelowit。Waterdissolveswood，andiron，andsalt；airdissolveswater；
electricfiredissolvesair，buttheintellectdissolvesfire，gravity，laws，method，andthesubtlestunnamedrelationsofnature，initsresistlessmenstruum。Intellectliesbehindgenius，whichisintellectconstructive。Intellectisthesimplepoweranteriortoallactionorconstruction。GladlywouldIunfoldincalmdegreesanaturalhistoryoftheintellect，butwhatmanhasyetbeenabletomarkthestepsandboundariesofthattransparentessence？Thefirstquestionsarealwaystobeasked，andthewisestdoctorisgravelledbytheinquisitivenessofachild。Howcanwespeakoftheactionofthemindunderanydivisions，asofitsknowledge，ofitsethics，ofitsworks，andsoforth，sinceitmeltswillintoperception，knowledgeintoact？Eachbecomestheother。Itselfaloneis。Itsvisionisnotlikethevisionoftheeye，butisunionwiththethingsknown。
Intellectandintellectionsignifytothecommonearconsiderationofabstracttruth。Theconsiderationsoftimeandplace，ofyouandme，ofprofitandhurt，tyrannizeovermostmen\'sminds。Intellectseparatesthefactconsideredfrom_you_，fromalllocalandpersonalreference，anddiscernsitasifitexistedforitsownsake。Heraclituslookedupontheaffectionsasdenseandcoloredmists。Inthefogofgoodandevilaffections，itishardformantowalkforwardinastraightline。Intellectisvoidofaffection，andseesanobjectasitstandsinthelightofscience，coolanddisengaged。Theintellectgoesoutoftheindividual，floatsoveritsownpersonality，andregardsitasafact，andnotas_I_and_mine_。Hewhoisimmersedinwhatconcernspersonorplacecannotseetheproblemofexistence。Thistheintellectalwaysponders。Natureshowsallthingsformedandbound。Theintellectpiercestheform，overleapsthewall，detectsintrinsiclikenessbetweenremotethings，andreducesallthingsintoafewprinciples。
Themakingafactthesubjectofthoughtraisesit。Allthatmassofmentalandmoralphenomena，whichwedonotmakeobjectsofvoluntarythought，comewithinthepoweroffortune；theyconstitutethecircumstanceofdailylife；theyaresubjecttochange，tofear，andhope。Everymanbeholdshishumanconditionwithadegreeofmelancholy。Asashipagroundisbatteredbythewaves，soman，imprisonedinmortallife，liesopentothemercyofcomingevents。
Butatruth，separatedbytheintellect，isnolongerasubjectofdestiny。Webeholditasagodupraisedabovecareandfear。Andsoanyfactinourlife，oranyrecordofourfanciesorreflections，disentangledfromthewebofourunconsciousness，becomesanobjectimpersonalandimmortal。Itisthepastrestored，butembalmed。A
betterartthanthatofEgypthastakenfearandcorruptionoutofit。Itisevisceratedofcare。Itisofferedforscience。Whatisaddressedtousforcontemplationdoesnotthreatenus，butmakesusintellectualbeings。
Thegrowthoftheintellectisspontaneousineveryexpansion。
Themindthatgrowscouldnotpredictthetimes，themeans，themodeofthatspontaneity。Godentersbyaprivatedoorintoeveryindividual。Longpriortotheageofreflectionisthethinkingofthemind。Outofdarkness，itcameinsensiblyintothemarvellouslightofto-day。Intheperiodofinfancyitacceptedanddisposedofallimpressionsfromthesurroundingcreationafteritsownway。
Whateveranyminddothorsaithisafteralaw；andthisnativelawremainsoveritafterithascometoreflectionorconsciousthought。
Inthemostworn，pedantic，introvertedself-tormenter\'slife，thegreatestpartisincalculablebyhim，unforeseen，unimaginable，andmustbe，untilhecantakehimselfupbyhisownears。WhatamI？
WhathasmywilldonetomakemethatIam？Nothing。Ihavebeenfloatedintothisthought，thishour，thisconnectionofevents，bysecretcurrentsofmightandmind，andmyingenuityandwilfulnesshavenotthwarted，havenotaidedtoanappreciabledegree。
Ourspontaneousactionisalwaysthebest。Youcannot，withyourbestdeliberationandheed，comesoclosetoanyquestionasyourspontaneousglanceshallbringyou，whilstyourisefromyourbed，orwalkabroadinthemorningaftermeditatingthematterbeforesleeponthepreviousnight。Ourthinkingisapiousreception。Ourtruthofthoughtisthereforevitiatedasmuchbytooviolentdirectiongivenbyourwill，asbytoogreatnegligence。Wedonotdeterminewhatwewillthink。Weonlyopenoursenses，clearaway，aswecan，allobstructionfromthefact，andsuffertheintellecttosee。Wehavelittlecontroloverourthoughts。Wearetheprisonersofideas。Theycatchusupformomentsintotheirheaven，andsofullyengageus，thatwetakenothoughtforthemorrow，gazelikechildren，withoutanefforttomakethemourown。Byandbywefalloutofthatrapture，bethinkuswherewehavebeen，whatwehaveseen，andrepeat，astrulyaswecan，whatwehavebeheld。Asfaraswecanrecalltheseecstasies，wecarryawayintheineffaceablememorytheresult，andallmenandalltheagesconfirmit。ItiscalledTruth。Butthemomentweceasetoreport，andattempttocorrectandcontrive，itisnottruth。
Ifweconsiderwhatpersonshavestimulatedandprofitedus，weshallperceivethesuperiorityofthespontaneousorintuitiveprincipleoverthearithmeticalorlogical。Thefirstcontainsthesecond，butvirtualandlatent。Wewant，ineveryman，alonglogic；
wecannotpardontheabsenceofit，butitmustnotbespoken。Logicistheprocessionorproportionateunfoldingoftheintuition；butitsvirtueisassilentmethod；themomentitwouldappearaspropositions，andhaveaseparatevalue，itisworthless。
Ineveryman\'smind，someimages，words，andfactsremain，withouteffortonhisparttoimprintthem，whichothersforget，andafterwardstheseillustratetohimimportantlaws。Allourprogressisanunfolding，likethevegetablebud。Youhavefirstaninstinct，thenanopinion，thenaknowledge，astheplanthasroot，bud，andfruit。Trusttheinstincttotheend，thoughyoucanrendernoreason。Itisvaintohurryit。Bytrustingittotheend，itshallripenintotruth，andyoushallknowwhyyoubelieve。
Eachmindhasitsownmethod。Atruemanneveracquiresaftercollegerules。Whatyouhaveaggregatedinanaturalmannersurprisesanddelightswhenitisproduced。Forwecannotoverseeeachother\'ssecret。Andhencethedifferencesbetweenmeninnaturalendowmentareinsignificantincomparisonwiththeircommonwealth。Doyouthinktheporterandthecookhavenoanecdotes，noexperiences，nowondersforyou？Everybodyknowsasmuchasthesavant。Thewallsofrudemindsarescrawledalloverwithfacts，withthoughts。Theyshallonedaybringalanternandreadtheinscriptions。Everyman，inthedegreeinwhichhehaswitandculture，findshiscuriosityinflamedconcerningthemodesoflivingandthinkingofothermen，andespeciallyofthoseclasseswhosemindshavenotbeensubduedbythedrillofschooleducation。
Thisinstinctiveactionneverceasesinahealthymind，butbecomesricherandmorefrequentinitsinformationsthroughallstatesofculture。Atlastcomestheeraofreflection，whenwenotonlyobserve，buttakepainstoobserve；whenweofsetpurposesitdowntoconsideranabstracttruth；whenwekeepthemind\'seyeopen，whilstweconverse，whilstweread，whilstweact，intenttolearnthesecretlawofsomeclassoffacts。
Whatisthehardesttaskintheworld？Tothink。Iwouldputmyselfintheattitudetolookintheeyeanabstracttruth，andI
cannot。Iblenchandwithdrawonthissideandonthat。Iseemtoknowwhathemeantwhosaid，NomancanseeGodfacetofaceandlive。Forexample，amanexploresthebasisofcivilgovernment。
Lethimintendhismindwithoutrespite，withoutrest，inonedirection。Hisbestheedlongtimeavailshimnothing。Yetthoughtsareflittingbeforehim。Weallbutapprehend，wedimlyforebodethetruth。Wesay，Iwillwalkabroad，andthetruthwilltakeformandclearnesstome。Wegoforth，butcannotfindit。Itseemsasifweneededonlythestillnessandcomposedattitudeofthelibrarytoseizethethought。Butwecomein，andareasfarfromitasatfirst。Then，inamoment，andunannounced，thetruthappears。A
certain，wanderinglightappears，andisthedistinction，theprinciple，wewanted。Buttheoraclecomes，becausewehadpreviouslylaidsiegetotheshrine。Itseemsasifthelawoftheintellectresembledthatlawofnaturebywhichwenowinspire，nowexpirethebreath；bywhichtheheartnowdrawsin，thenhurlsouttheblood，——thelawofundulation。Sonowyoumustlaborwithyourbrains，andnowyoumustforbearyouractivity，andseewhatthegreatSoulshoweth。
Theimmortalityofmanisaslegitimatelypreachedfromtheintellectionsasfromthemoralvolitions。Everyintellectionismainlyprospective。Itspresentvalueisitsleast。InspectwhatdelightsyouinPlutarch，inShakspeare，inCervantes。Eachtruththatawriteracquiresisalantern，whichheturnsfullonwhatfactsandthoughtslayalreadyinhismind，andbehold，allthematsandrubbishwhichhadlitteredhisgarretbecomeprecious。Everytrivialfactinhisprivatebiographybecomesanillustrationofthisnewprinciple，revisitstheday，anddelightsallmenbyitspiquancyandnewcharm。Mensay，Wheredidhegetthis？andthinktherewassomethingdivineinhislife。Butno；theyhavemyriadsoffactsjustasgood，wouldtheyonlygetalamptoransacktheiratticswithal。
Weareallwise。Thedifferencebetweenpersonsisnotinwisdombutinart。Iknew，inanacademicalclub，apersonwhoalwaysdeferredtome，who，seeingmywhimforwriting，fanciedthatmyexperienceshadsomewhatsuperior；whilstIsawthathisexperienceswereasgoodasmine。Givethemtome，andIwouldmakethesameuseofthem。Heheldtheold；heholdsthenew；Ihadthehabitoftackingtogethertheoldandthenew，whichhedidnotusetoexercise。Thismayholdinthegreatexamples。PerhapsifweshouldmeetShakspeare，weshouldnotbeconsciousofanysteepinferiority；no：butofagreatequality，——onlythathepossessedastrangeskillofusing，ofclassifying，hisfacts，whichwelacked。
For，notwithstandingourutterincapacitytoproduceanythinglikeHamletandOthello，seetheperfectreceptionthiswit，andimmenseknowledgeoflife，andliquideloquencefindinusall。
Ifyougatherapplesinthesunshine，ormakehay，orhoecorn，andthenretirewithindoors，andshutyoureyes，andpressthemwithyourhand，youshallstillseeappleshanginginthebrightlight，withboughsandleavesthereto，orthetasselledgrass，orthecorn-flags，andthisforfiveorsixhoursafterwards。Therelietheimpressionsontheretentiveorgan，thoughyouknewitnot。Soliesthewholeseriesofnaturalimageswithwhichyourlifehasmadeyouacquaintedinyourmemory，thoughyouknowitnot，andathrillofpassionflasheslightontheirdarkchamber，andtheactivepowerseizesinstantlythefitimage，asthewordofitsmomentarythought。
Itislongerewediscoverhowrichweare。Ourhistory，wearesure，isquitetame：wehavenothingtowrite，nothingtoinfer。
Butourwiseryearsstillrunbacktothedespisedrecollectionsofchildhood，andalwayswearefishingupsomewonderfularticleoutofthatpond；until，byandby，webegintosuspectthatthebiographyoftheonefoolishpersonweknowis，inreality，nothinglessthantheminiatureparaphraseofthehundredvolumesoftheUniversalHistory。
Intheintellectconstructive，whichwepopularlydesignatebythewordGenius，weobservethesamebalanceoftwoelementsasinintellectreceptive。Theconstructiveintellectproducesthoughts，sentences，poems，plans，designs，systems。Itisthegenerationofthemind，themarriageofthoughtwithnature。Togeniusmustalwaysgotwogifts，thethoughtandthepublication。Thefirstisrevelation，alwaysamiracle，whichnofrequencyofoccurrenceorincessantstudycaneverfamiliarize，butwhichmustalwaysleavetheinquirerstupidwithwonder。Itistheadventoftruthintotheworld，aformofthoughtnow，forthefirsttime，burstingintotheuniverse，achildoftheoldeternalsoul，apieceofgenuineandimmeasurablegreatness。Itseems，forthetime，toinheritallthathasyetexisted，andtodictatetotheunborn。Itaffectseverythoughtofman，andgoestofashioneveryinstitution。Buttomakeitavailable，itneedsavehicleorartbywhichitisconveyedtomen。Tobecommunicable，itmustbecomepictureorsensibleobject。
Wemustlearnthelanguageoffacts。Themostwonderfulinspirationsdiewiththeirsubject，ifhehasnohandtopaintthemtothesenses。Therayoflightpassesinvisiblethroughspace，andonlywhenitfallsonanobjectisitseen。Whenthespiritualenergyisdirectedonsomethingoutward，thenitisathought。Therelationbetweenitandyoufirstmakesyou，thevalueofyou，apparenttome。
Therich，inventivegeniusofthepaintermustbesmotheredandlostforwantofthepowerofdrawing，andinourhappyhoursweshouldbeinexhaustiblepoets，ifoncewecouldbreakthroughthesilenceintoadequaterhyme。Asallmenhavesomeaccesstoprimarytruth，soallhavesomeartorpowerofcommunicationintheirhead，butonlyintheartistdoesitdescendintothehand。Thereisaninequality，whoselawswedonotyetknow，betweentwomenandbetweentwomomentsofthesameman，inrespecttothisfaculty。Incommonhours，wehavethesamefactsasintheuncommonorinspired，buttheydonotsitfortheirportraits；theyarenotdetached，butlieinaweb。Thethoughtofgeniusisspontaneous；butthepowerofpictureorexpression，inthemostenrichedandflowingnature，impliesamixtureofwill，acertaincontroloverthespontaneousstates，withoutwhichnoproductionispossible。Itisaconversionofallnatureintotherhetoricofthought，undertheeyeofjudgment，withastrenuousexerciseofchoice。Andyettheimaginativevocabularyseemstobespontaneousalso。Itdoesnotflowfromexperienceonlyormainly，butfromarichersource。Notbyanyconsciousimitationofparticularformsarethegrandstrokesofthepainterexecuted，butbyrepairingtothefountain-headofallformsinhismind。Whoisthefirstdrawing-master？Withoutinstructionweknowverywelltheidealofthehumanform。Achildknowsifanarmoralegbedistortedinapicture，iftheattitudebenaturalorgrand，ormean，thoughhehasneverreceivedanyinstructionindrawing，orheardanyconversationonthesubject，norcanhimselfdrawwithcorrectnessasinglefeature。Agoodformstrikesalleyespleasantly，longbeforetheyhaveanyscienceonthesubject，andabeautifulfacesetstwentyheartsinpalpitation，priortoallconsiderationofthemechanicalproportionsofthefeaturesandhead。Wemayowetodreamssomelightonthefountainofthisskill；for，assoonasweletourwillgo，andlettheunconsciousstatesensue，seewhatcunningdraughtsmenweare！Weentertainourselveswithwonderfulformsofmen，ofwomen，ofanimals，ofgardens，ofwoods，andofmonsters，andthemysticpencilwherewithwethendrawhasnoawkwardnessorinexperience，nomeagrenessorpoverty；itcandesignwell，andgroupwell；itscompositionisfullofart，itscolorsarewelllaidon，andthewholecanvaswhichitpaintsislife-like，andapttotouchuswithterror，withtenderness，withdesire，andwithgrief。Neitheraretheartist\'scopiesfromexperienceevermerecopies，butalwaystouchedandsoftenedbytintsfromthisidealdomain。
Theconditionsessentialtoaconstructiveminddonotappeartobesooftencombinedbutthatagoodsentenceorverseremainsfreshandmemorableforalongtime。Yetwhenwewritewithease，andcomeoutintothefreeairofthought，weseemtobeassuredthatnothingiseasierthantocontinuethiscommunicationatpleasure。
Up，down，around，thekingdomofthoughthasnoinclosures，buttheMusemakesusfreeofhercity。Well，theworldhasamillionwriters。Onewouldthink，then，thatgoodthoughtwouldbeasfamiliarasairandwater，andthegiftsofeachnewhourwouldexcludethelast。Yetwecancountallourgoodbooks；nay，I
rememberanybeautifulversefortwentyyears。Itistruethatthediscerningintellectoftheworldisalwaysmuchinadvanceofthecreative，sothattherearemanycompetentjudgesofthebestbook，andfewwritersofthebestbooks。Butsomeoftheconditionsofintellectualconstructionareofrareoccurrence。Theintellectisawhole，anddemandsintegrityineverywork。Thisisresistedequallybyaman\'sdevotiontoasinglethought，andbyhisambitiontocombinetoomany。
Truthisourelementoflife，yetifamanfastenhisattentiononasingleaspectoftruth，andapplyhimselftothataloneforalongtime，thetruthbecomesdistortedandnotitself，butfalsehood；
hereinresemblingtheair，whichisournaturalelement，andthebreathofournostrils，butifastreamofthesamebedirectedonthebodyforatime，itcausescold，fever，andevendeath。Howwearisomethegrammarian，thephrenologist，thepoliticalorreligiousfanatic，orindeedanypossessedmortalwhosebalanceislostbytheexaggerationofasingletopic。Itisincipientinsanity。Everythoughtisaprisonalso。Icannotseewhatyousee，becauseIamcaughtupbyastrongwind，andblownsofarinonedirectionthatIamoutofthehoopofyourhorizon。
Isitanybetter，ifthestudent，toavoidthisoffence，andtoliberalizehimself，aimstomakeamechanicalwholeofhistory，orscience，orphilosophy，byanumericaladditionofallthefactsthatfallwithinhisvision？Theworldrefusestobeanalyzedbyadditionandsubtraction。Whenweareyoung，wespendmuchtimeandpainsinfillingournote-bookswithalldefinitionsofReligion，Love，Poetry，Politics，Art，inthehopethat，inthecourseofafewyears，weshallhavecondensedintoourencyclopaediathenetvalueofallthetheoriesatwhichtheworldhasyetarrived。Butyearafteryearourtablesgetnocompleteness，andatlastwediscoverthatourcurveisaparabola，whosearcswillnevermeet。
Neitherbydetachment，neitherbyaggregation，istheintegrityoftheintellecttransmittedtoitsworks，butbyavigilancewhichbringstheintellectinitsgreatnessandbeststatetooperateeverymoment。Itmusthavethesamewholenesswhichnaturehas。Althoughnodiligencecanrebuildtheuniverseinamodel，bythebestaccumulationordispositionofdetails，yetdoestheworldreappearinminiatureineveryevent，sothatallthelawsofnaturemaybereadinthesmallestfact。Theintellectmusthavethelikeperfectioninitsapprehensionandinitsworks。Forthisreason，anindexormercuryofintellectualproficiencyistheperceptionofidentity。Wetalkwithaccomplishedpersonswhoappeartobestrangersinnature。Thecloud，thetree，theturf，thebirdarenottheirs，havenothingofthem：theworldisonlytheirlodgingandtable。Butthepoet，whoseversesaretobespheralandcomplete，isonewhomNaturecannotdeceive，whatsoeverfaceofstrangenessshemayputon。Hefeelsastrictconsanguinity，anddetectsmorelikenessthanvarietyinallherchanges。Wearestungbythedesirefornewthought；butwhenwereceiveanewthought，itisonlytheoldthoughtwithanewface，andthoughwemakeitourown，weinstantlycraveanother；wearenotreallyenriched。Forthetruthwasinusbeforeitwasreflectedtousfromnaturalobjects；andtheprofoundgeniuswillcastthelikenessofallcreaturesintoeveryproductofhiswit。
Butiftheconstructivepowersarerare，anditisgiventofewmentobepoets，yeteverymanisareceiverofthisdescendingholyghost，andmaywellstudythelawsofitsinflux。Exactlyparallelisthewholeruleofintellectualdutytotheruleofmoralduty。A
self-denial，nolessausterethanthesaint\'s，isdemandedofthescholar。Hemustworshiptruth，andforegoallthingsforthat，andchoosedefeatandpain，sothathistreasureinthoughtistherebyaugmented。
Godofferstoeveryminditschoicebetweentruthandrepose。
Takewhichyouplease，——youcanneverhaveboth。Betweenthese，asapendulum，manoscillates。Heinwhomtheloveofreposepredominateswillacceptthefirstcreed，thefirstphilosophy，thefirstpoliticalpartyhemeets，——mostlikelyhisfather\'s。Hegetsrest，commodity，andreputation；butheshutsthedooroftruth。Heinwhomtheloveoftruthpredominateswillkeephimselfalooffromallmoorings，andafloat。Hewillabstainfromdogmatism，andrecognizealltheoppositenegations，betweenwhich，aswalls，hisbeingisswung。Hesubmitstotheinconvenienceofsuspenseandimperfectopinion，butheisacandidatefortruth，astheotherisnot，andrespectsthehighestlawofhisbeing。
Thecircleofthegreenearthhemustmeasurewithhisshoes，tofindthemanwhocanyieldhimtruth。Heshallthenknowthatthereissomewhatmoreblessedandgreatinhearingthaninspeaking。
Happyisthehearingman；unhappythespeakingman。AslongasI
heartruth，Iambathedbyabeautifulelement，andamnotconsciousofanylimitstomynature。ThesuggestionsarethousandfoldthatI
hearandsee。Thewatersofthegreatdeephaveingressandegresstothesoul。ButifIspeak，Idefine，Iconfine，andamless。WhenSocratesspeaks，LysisandMenexenusareafflictedbynoshamethattheydonotspeak。Theyalsoaregood。Helikewisedeferstothem，lovesthem，whilsthespeaks。Becauseatrueandnaturalmancontainsandisthesametruthwhichaneloquentmanarticulates：butintheeloquentman，becausehecanarticulateit，itseemssomethingthelesstoreside，andheturnstothesesilentbeautifulwiththemoreinclinationandrespect。Theancientsentencesaid，Letusbesilent，forsoarethegods。Silenceisasolventthatdestroyspersonality，andgivesusleavetobegreatanduniversal。Everyman\'sprogressisthroughasuccessionofteachers，eachofwhomseemsatthetimetohaveasuperlativeinfluence，butitatlastgivesplacetoanew。Franklylethimacceptitall。Jesussays，Leavefather，mother，houseandlands，andfollowme。Wholeavesall，receivesmore。Thisisastrueintellectuallyasmorally。Eachnewmindweapproachseemstorequireanabdicationofallourpastandpresentpossessions。Anewdoctrineseems，atfirst，asubversionofallouropinions，tastes，andmannerofliving。SuchhasSwedenborg，suchhasKant，suchhasColeridge，suchhasHegelorhisinterpreterCousin，seemedtomanyyoungmeninthiscountry。
Takethankfullyandheartilyalltheycangive。Exhaustthem，wrestlewiththem，letthemnotgountiltheirblessingbewon，and，afterashortseason，thedismaywillbeoverpast，theexcessofinfluencewithdrawn，andtheywillbenolongeranalarmingmeteor，butonemorebrightstarshiningserenelyinyourheaven，andblendingitslightwithallyourday。
Butwhilsthegiveshimselfupunreservedlytothatwhichdrawshim，becausethatishisown，heistorefusehimselftothatwhichdrawshimnot，whatsoeverfameandauthoritymayattendit，becauseitisnothisown。Entireself-reliancebelongstotheintellect。
Onesoulisacounterpoiseofallsouls，asacapillarycolumnofwaterisabalanceforthesea。Itmusttreatthings，andbooks，andsovereigngenius，asitselfalsoasovereign。IfAeschylusbethatmanheistakenfor，hehasnotyetdonehisoffice，whenhehaseducatedthelearnedofEuropeforathousandyears。Heisnowtoapprovehimselfamasterofdelighttomealso。Ifhecannotdothat，allhisfameshallavailhimnothingwithme。IwereafoolnottosacrificeathousandAeschylusestomyintellectualintegrity。
Especiallytakethesamegroundinregardtoabstracttruth，thescienceofthemind。TheBacon，theSpinoza，theHume，Schelling，Kant，orwhosoeverpropoundstoyouaphilosophyofthemind，isonlyamoreorlessawkwardtranslatorofthingsinyourconsciousness，whichyouhavealsoyourwayofseeing，perhapsofdenominating。
Say，then，insteadoftootimidlyporingintohisobscuresense，thathehasnotsucceededinrenderingbacktoyouyourconsciousness。Hehasnotsucceeded；nowletanothertry。IfPlatocannot，perhapsSpinozawill。IfSpinozacannot，thenperhapsKant。Anyhow，whenatlastitisdone，youwillfinditisnorecondite，butasimple，natural，commonstate，whichthewriterrestorestoyou。
Butletusendthesedidactics。Iwillnot，thoughthesubjectmightprovokeit，speaktotheopenquestionbetweenTruthandLove。
Ishallnotpresumetointerfereintheoldpoliticsoftheskies；——“Thecherubimknowmost；theseraphimlovemost。“Thegodsshallsettletheirownquarrels。ButIcannotrecite，eventhusrudely，lawsoftheintellect，withoutrememberingthatloftyandsequesteredclassofmenwhohavebeenitsprophetsandoracles，thehigh-priesthoodofthepurereason，the_Trismegisti_，theexpoundersoftheprinciplesofthoughtfromagetoage。When，atlongintervals，weturnovertheirabstrusepages，wonderfulseemsthecalmandgrandairofthesefew，thesegreatspirituallords，whohavewalkedintheworld，——theseoftheoldreligion，——dwellinginaworshipwhichmakesthesanctitiesofChristianitylook_parvenues_andpopular；for“persuasionisinsoul，butnecessityisinintellect。“Thisbandofgrandees，Hermes，Heraclitus，Empedocles，Plato，Plotinus，Olympiodorus，Proclus，Synesius，andtherest，havesomewhatsovastintheirlogic，soprimaryintheirthinking，thatitseemsantecedenttoalltheordinarydistinctionsofrhetoricandliterature，andtobeatoncepoetry，andmusic，anddancing，andastronomy，andmathematics。Iampresentatthesowingoftheseedoftheworld。Withageometryofsunbeams，thesoullaysthefoundationsofnature。Thetruthandgrandeuroftheirthoughtisprovedbyitsscopeandapplicability，foritcommandstheentirescheduleandinventoryofthingsforitsillustration。Butwhatmarksitselevation，andhasevenacomiclooktous，istheinnocentserenitywithwhichthesebabe-likeJupiterssitintheirclouds，andfromagetoageprattletoeachother，andtonocontemporary。Wellassuredthattheirspeechisintelligible，andthemostnaturalthingintheworld，theyaddthesistothesis，withoutamoment\'sheedoftheuniversalastonishmentofthehumanracebelow，whodonotcomprehendtheirplainestargument；nordotheyeverrelentsomuchastoinsertapopularorexplainingsentence；nortestifytheleastdispleasureorpetulanceatthedulnessoftheiramazedauditory。
Theangelsaresoenamouredofthelanguagethatisspokeninheaven，thattheywillnotdistorttheirlipswiththehissingandunmusicaldialectsofmen，butspeaktheirown，whethertherebeanywhounderstanditornot。
ART
Givetobarrows，trays，andpansGraceandglimmerofromance；
BringthemoonlightintonoonHidingleamingpilesofstone；
Onthecity\'spavedstreetPlantgardenslinedwithlilacsweet；
Letspoutingfountainscooltheair，Singinginthesun-bakedsquare；
Letstatue，picture，park，andhall，Ballad，flag，andfestival，Thepastrestore，thedayadorn，Andmakeeachmorrowanewmorn。
SoshallthedrudgeindustyfrockSpybehindthecityclockRetinuesofairykings，Skirtsofangels，starrywings，Hisfathersshininginbrightfables，Hischildrenfedatheavenlytables。
\'TistheprivilegeofArtThustoplayitscheerfulpart，ManinEarthtoacclimate，Andbendtheexiletohisfate，And，mouldedofoneelementWiththedaysandfirmament，Teachhimontheseasstairstoclimb，AndliveoneventermswithTime；
WhilstupperlifetheslenderrillOfhumansensedothoverfill。
ESSAYXII_Art_
Becausethesoulisprogressive，itneverquiterepeatsitself，butineveryactattemptstheproductionofanewandfairerwhole。
Thisappearsinworksbothoftheusefulandthefinearts，ifweemploythepopulardistinctionofworksaccordingtotheiraim，eitheratuseorbeauty。Thusinourfinearts，notimitation，butcreationistheaim。Inlandscapes，thepaintershouldgivethesuggestionofafairercreationthanweknow。Thedetails，theproseofnatureheshouldomit，andgiveusonlythespiritandsplendor。
Heshouldknowthatthelandscapehasbeautyforhiseye，becauseitexpressesathoughtwhichistohimgood：andthis，becausethesamepowerwhichseesthroughhiseyes，isseeninthatspectacle；andhewillcometovaluetheexpressionofnature，andnotnatureitself，andsoexaltinhiscopy，thefeaturesthatpleasehim。Hewillgivethegloomofgloom，andthesunshineofsunshine。Inaportrait，hemustinscribethecharacter，andnotthefeatures，andmustesteemthemanwhositstohimashimselfonlyanimperfectpictureorlikenessoftheaspiringoriginalwithin。
Whatisthatabridgmentandselectionweobserveinallspiritualactivity，butitselfthecreativeimpulse？foritistheinletofthathigherilluminationwhichteachestoconveyalargersensebysimplersymbols。Whatisamanbutnature\'sfinersuccessinself-explication？Whatisamanbutafinerandcompacterlandscapethanthehorizonfigures，——nature\'seclecticism？andwhatishisspeech，hisloveofpainting，loveofnature，butastillfinersuccess？allthewearymilesandtonsofspaceandbulkleftout，andthespiritormoralofitcontractedintoamusicalword，orthemostcunningstrokeofthepencil？
Buttheartistmustemploythesymbolsinuseinhisdayandnation，toconveyhisenlargedsensetohisfellow-men。Thusthenewinartisalwaysformedoutoftheold。TheGeniusoftheHoursetshisineffaceablesealonthework，andgivesitaninexpressiblecharmfortheimagination。Asfarasthespiritualcharacteroftheperiodoverpowerstheartist，andfindsexpressioninhiswork，sofaritwillretainacertaingrandeur，andwillrepresenttofuturebeholderstheUnknown，theInevitable，theDivine。NomancanquiteexcludethiselementofNecessityfromhislabor。Nomancanquiteemancipatehimselffromhisageandcountry，orproduceamodelinwhichtheeducation，thereligion，thepolitics，usages，andarts，ofhistimesshallhavenoshare。Thoughhewereneversooriginal，neversowilfulandfantastic，hecannotwipeoutofhisworkeverytraceofthethoughtsamidstwhichitgrew。Theveryavoidancebetraystheusageheavoids。Abovehiswill，andoutofhissight，heisnecessitated，bytheairhebreathes，andtheideaonwhichheandhiscontemporariesliveandtoil，tosharethemannerofhistimes，withoutknowingwhatthatmanneris。Nowthatwhichisinevitableintheworkhasahighercharmthanindividualtalentcanevergive，inasmuchastheartist\'spenorchiselseemstohavebeenheldandguidedbyagigantichandtoinscribealineinthehistoryofthehumanrace。ThiscircumstancegivesavaluetotheEgyptianhieroglyphics，totheIndian，Chinese，andMexicanidols，howevergrossandshapeless。Theydenotetheheightofthehumansoulinthathour，andwerenotfantastic，butsprungfromanecessityasdeepastheworld。ShallInowadd，thatthewholeextantproductoftheplasticartshashereinitshighestvalue，_ashistory_；asastrokedrawnintheportraitofthatfate，perfectandbeautiful，accordingtowhoseordinationsallbeingsadvancetotheirbeatitude？
Thus，historicallyviewed，ithasbeentheofficeofarttoeducatetheperceptionofbeauty。Weareimmersedinbeauty，butoureyeshavenoclearvision。Itneeds，bytheexhibitionofsingletraits，toassistandleadthedormanttaste。Wecarveandpaint，orwebeholdwhatiscarvedandpainted，asstudentsofthemysteryofForm。Thevirtueofartliesindetachment，insequesteringoneobjectfromtheembarrassingvariety。Untilonethingcomesoutfromtheconnectionofthings，therecanbeenjoyment，contemplation，butnothought。Ourhappinessandunhappinessareunproductive。Theinfantliesinapleasingtrance，buthisindividualcharacterandhispracticalpowerdependonhisdailyprogressintheseparationofthings，anddealingwithoneatatime。Loveandallthepassionsconcentrateallexistencearoundasingleform。Itisthehabitofcertainmindstogiveanall-excludingfulnesstotheobject，thethought，theword，theyalightupon，andtomakethatforthetimethedeputyoftheworld。Thesearetheartists，theorators，theleadersofsociety。Thepowertodetach，andtomagnifybydetaching，istheessenceofrhetoricinthehandsoftheoratorandthepoet。Thisrhetoric，orpowertofixthemomentaryeminencyofanobject，——soremarkableinBurke，inByron，inCarlyle，——thepainterandsculptorexhibitincolorandinstone。Thepowerdependsonthedepthoftheartist\'sinsightofthatobjecthecontemplates。Foreveryobjecthasitsrootsincentralnature，andmayofcoursebesoexhibitedtousastorepresenttheworld。
Therefore，eachworkofgeniusisthetyrantofthehour，andconcentratesattentiononitself。Forthetime，itistheonlythingworthnamingtodothat，——beitasonnet，anopera，alandscape，astatue，anoration，theplanofatemple，ofacampaign，orofavoyageofdiscovery。Presentlywepasstosomeotherobject，whichroundsitselfintoawhole，asdidthefirst；forexample，awell-laidgarden：andnothingseemsworthdoingbutthelayingoutofgardens。Ishouldthinkfirethebestthingintheworld，ifIwerenotacquaintedwithair，andwater，andearth。Foritistherightandpropertyofallnaturalobjects，ofallgenuinetalents，ofallnativepropertieswhatsoever，tobefortheirmomentthetopoftheworld。Asquirrelleapingfromboughtobough，andmakingthewoodbutonewidetreeforhispleasure，fillstheeyenotlessthanalion，——isbeautiful，self-sufficing，andstandsthenandtherefornature。AgoodballaddrawsmyearandheartwhilstIlisten，asmuchasanepichasdonebefore。Adog，drawnbyamaster，oralitterofpigs，satisfies，andisarealitynotlessthanthefrescoesofAngelo。Fromthissuccessionofexcellentobjects，welearnatlasttheimmensityoftheworld，theopulenceofhumannature，whichcanrunouttoinfinitudeinanydirection。ButIalsolearnthatwhatastonishedandfascinatedmeinthefirstworkastonishedmeinthesecondworkalso；thatexcellenceofallthingsisone。
Theofficeofpaintingandsculptureseemstobemerelyinitial。Thebestpicturescaneasilytellustheirlastsecret。
Thebestpicturesarerudedraughtsofafewofthemiraculousdotsandlinesanddyeswhichmakeuptheever-changing“landscapewithfigures“amidstwhichwedwell。Paintingseemstobetotheeyewhatdancingistothelimbs。Whenthathaseducatedtheframetoself-possession，tonimbleness，tograce，thestepsofthedancing-masterarebetterforgotten；sopaintingteachesmethesplendorofcolorandtheexpressionofform，and，asIseemanypicturesandhighergeniusintheart，Iseetheboundlessopulenceofthepencil，theindifferencyinwhichtheartiststandsfreetochooseoutofthepossibleforms。Ifhecandraweverything，whydrawanything？andthenismyeyeopenedtotheeternalpicturewhichnaturepaintsinthestreetwithmovingmenandchildren，beggars，andfineladies，drapedinred，andgreen，andblue，andgray；long-haired，grizzled，white-faced，black-faced，wrinkled，giant，dwarf，expanded，elfish，——cappedandbasedbyheaven，earth，andsea。
Agalleryofsculptureteachesmoreausterelythesamelesson。
Aspictureteachesthecoloring，sosculpturetheanatomyofform。
WhenIhaveseenfinestatues，andafterwardsenterapublicassembly，Iunderstandwellwhathemeantwhosaid，“WhenIhavebeenreadingHomer，allmenlooklikegiants。“Itooseethatpaintingandsculpturearegymnasticsoftheeye，itstrainingtothenicetiesandcuriositiesofitsfunction。Thereisnostatuelikethislivingman，withhisinfiniteadvantageoverallidealsculpture，ofperpetualvariety。WhatagalleryofarthaveIhere！Nomanneristmadethesevariedgroupsanddiverseoriginalsinglefigures。Hereistheartisthimselfimprovising，grimandglad，athisblock。Nowonethoughtstrikeshim，nowanother，andwitheachmomenthealtersthewholeair，attitude，andexpressionofhisclay。Awaywithyournonsenseofoilandeasels，ofmarbleandchisels：excepttoopenyoureyestothemasteriesofeternalart，theyarehypocriticalrubbish。
ThereferenceofallproductionatlasttoanaboriginalPowerexplainsthetraitscommontoallworksofthehighestart，——thattheyareuniversallyintelligible；thattheyrestoretousthesimpleststatesofmind；andarereligious。Sincewhatskillisthereinshownisthereappearanceoftheoriginalsoul，ajetofpurelight，itshouldproduceasimilarimpressiontothatmadebynaturalobjects。Inhappyhours，natureappearstousonewithart；artperfected，——theworkofgenius。Andtheindividual，inwhomsimpletastesandsusceptibilitytoallthegreathumaninfluencesoverpowertheaccidentsofalocalandspecialculture，isthebestcriticofart。Thoughwetraveltheworldovertofindthebeautiful，wemustcarryitwithus，orwefinditnot。Thebestofbeautyisafinercharmthanskillinsurfaces，inoutlines，orrulesofartcaneverteach，namely，aradiationfromtheworkofartofhumancharacter，——awonderfulexpressionthroughstone，orcanvas，ormusicalsound，ofthedeepestandsimplestattributesofournature，andthereforemostintelligibleatlasttothosesoulswhichhavetheseattributes。
InthesculpturesoftheGreeks，inthemasonryoftheRomans，andinthepicturesoftheTuscanandVenetianmasters，thehighestcharmistheuniversallanguagetheyspeak。Aconfessionofmoralnature，ofpurity，love，andhope，breathesfromthemall。Thatwhichwecarrytothem，thesamewebringbackmorefairlyillustratedinthememory。ThetravellerwhovisitstheVatican，andpassesfromchambertochamberthroughgalleriesofstatues，vases，sarcophagi，andcandelabra，throughallformsofbeauty，cutintherichestmaterials，isindangerofforgettingthesimplicityoftheprinciplesoutofwhichtheyallsprung，andthattheyhadtheiroriginfromthoughtsandlawsinhisownbreast。Hestudiesthetechnicalrulesonthesewonderfulremains，butforgetsthattheseworkswerenotalwaysthusconstellated；thattheyarethecontributionsofmanyagesandmanycountries；thateachcameoutofthesolitaryworkshopofoneartist，whotoiledperhapsinignoranceoftheexistenceofothersculpture，createdhisworkwithoutothermodel，savelife，householdlife，andthesweetandsmartofpersonalrelations，ofbeatinghearts，andmeetingeyes，ofpoverty，andnecessity，andhope，andfear。Thesewerehisinspirations，andthesearetheeffectshecarrieshometoyourheartandmind。Inproportiontohisforce，theartistwillfindinhisworkanoutletforhispropercharacter。Hemustnotbeinanymannerpinchedorhinderedbyhismaterial，butthroughhisnecessityofimpartinghimselftheadamantwillbewaxinhishands，andwillallowanadequatecommunicationofhimself，inhisfullstatureandproportion。Heneednotcumberhimselfwithaconventionalnatureandculture，noraskwhatisthemodeinRomeorinParis，butthathouse，andweather，andmanneroflivingwhichpovertyandthefateofbirthhavemadeatoncesoodiousandsodear，inthegray，unpaintedwoodcabin，onthecornerofaNewHampshirefarm，orinthelog-hutofthebackwoods，orinthenarrowlodgingwherehehasenduredtheconstraintsandseemingofacitypoverty，willserveaswellasanyotherconditionasthesymbolofathoughtwhichpoursitselfindifferentlythroughall。
Iremember，wheninmyyoungerdaysIhadheardofthewondersofItalianpainting，Ifanciedthegreatpictureswouldbegreatstrangers；somesurprisingcombinationofcolorandform；aforeignwonder，barbaricpearlandgold，likethespontoonsandstandardsofthemilitia，whichplaysuchpranksintheeyesandimaginationsofschool-boys。IwastoseeandacquireIknewnotwhat。WhenIcameatlasttoRome，andsawwitheyesthepictures，Ifoundthatgeniuslefttonovicesthegayandfantasticandostentatious，anditselfpierceddirectlytothesimpleandtrue；thatitwasfamiliarandsincere；thatitwastheold，eternalfactIhadmetalreadyinsomanyforms，——untowhichIlived；thatitwastheplain_youandme_
Iknewsowell，——hadleftathomeinsomanyconversations。IhadthesameexperiencealreadyinachurchatNaples。ThereIsawthatnothingwaschangedwithmebuttheplace，andsaidtomyself，——
`Thoufoolishchild，hastthoucomeouthither，overfourthousandmilesofsaltwater，tofindthatwhichwasperfecttotheethereathome？\'——thatfactIsawagainintheAcademmiaatNaples，inthechambersofsculpture，andyetagainwhenIcametoRome，andtothepaintingsofRaphael，Angelo，Sacchi，Titian，andLeonardodaVinci。
“What，oldmole！workestthouintheearthsofast？”Ithadtravelledbymyside：thatwhichIfanciedIhadleftinBostonwashereintheVatican，andagainatMilan，andatParis，andmadealltravellingridiculousasatreadmill。Inowrequirethisofallpictures，thattheydomesticateme，notthattheydazzleme。Picturesmustnotbetoopicturesque。Nothingastonishesmensomuchascommon-senseandplaindealing。Allgreatactionshavebeensimple，andallgreatpicturesare。
TheTransfiguration，byRaphael，isaneminentexampleofthispeculiarmerit。Acalm，benignantbeautyshinesoverallthispicture，andgoesdirectlytotheheart。Itseemsalmosttocallyoubyname。ThesweetandsublimefaceofJesusisbeyondpraise，yethowitdisappointsallfloridexpectations！Thisfamiliar，simple，home-speakingcountenanceisasifoneshouldmeetafriend。Theknowledgeofpicture-dealershasitsvalue，butlistennottotheircriticismwhenyourheartistouchedbygenius。Itwasnotpaintedforthem，itwaspaintedforyou；forsuchashadeyescapableofbeingtouchedbysimplicityandloftyemotions。
Yetwhenwehavesaidallourfinethingsaboutthearts，wemustendwithafrankconfession，thatthearts，asweknowthem，arebutinitial。Ourbestpraiseisgiventowhattheyaimedandpromised，nottotheactualresult。Hehasconceivedmeanlyoftheresourcesofman，whobelievesthatthebestageofproductionispast。TherealvalueoftheIliad，ortheTransfiguration，isassignsofpower；billowsorripplestheyareofthestreamoftendency；tokensoftheeverlastingefforttoproduce，whicheveninitsworstestatethesoulbetrays。Arthasnotyetcometoitsmaturity，ifitdonotputitselfabreastwiththemostpotentinfluencesoftheworld，ifitisnotpracticalandmoral，ifitdonotstandinconnectionwiththeconscience，ifitdonotmakethepooranduncultivatedfeelthatitaddressesthemwithavoiceofloftycheer。ThereishigherworkforArtthanthearts。Theyareabortivebirthsofanimperfectorvitiatedinstinct。Artistheneedtocreate；butinitsessence，immenseanduniversal，itisimpatientofworkingwithlameortiedhands，andofmakingcripplesandmonsters，suchasallpicturesandstatuesare。Nothinglessthanthecreationofmanandnatureisitsend。Amanshouldfindinitanoutletforhiswholeenergy。Hemaypaintandcarveonlyaslongashecandothat。Artshouldexhilarate，andthrowdownthewallsofcircumstanceoneveryside，awakeninginthebeholderthesamesenseofuniversalrelationandpowerwhichtheworkevincedintheartist，anditshighesteffectistomakenewartists。
AlreadyHistoryisoldenoughtowitnesstheoldageanddisappearanceofparticulararts。Theartofsculptureislongagoperishedtoanyrealeffect。Itwasoriginallyausefulart，amodeofwriting，asavage\'srecordofgratitudeordevotion，andamongapeoplepossessedofawonderfulperceptionofformthischildishcarvingwasrefinedtotheutmostsplendorofeffect。Butitisthegameofarudeandyouthfulpeople，andnotthemanlylaborofawiseandspiritualnation。Underanoak-treeloadedwithleavesandnuts，underaskyfullofeternaleyes，Istandinathoroughfare；butintheworksofourplasticarts，andespeciallyofsculpture，creationisdrivenintoacorner。Icannothidefrommyselfthatthereisacertainappearanceofpaltriness，asoftoys，andthetrumperyofatheatre，insculpture。Naturetranscendsallourmoodsofthought，anditssecretwedonotyetfind。Butthegallerystandsatthemercyofourmoods，andthereisamomentwhenitbecomesfrivolous。
IdonotwonderthatNewton，withanattentionhabituallyengagedonthepathsofplanetsandsuns，shouldhavewonderedwhattheEarlofPembrokefoundtoadmirein“stonedolls。“Sculpturemayservetoteachthepupilhowdeepisthesecretofform，howpurelythespiritcantranslateitsmeaningsintothateloquentdialect。Butthestatuewilllookcoldandfalsebeforethatnewactivitywhichneedstorollthroughallthings，andisimpatientofcounterfeits，andthingsnotalive。Pictureandsculpturearethecelebrationsandfestivitiesofform。Buttrueartisneverfixed，butalwaysflowing。Thesweetestmusicisnotintheoratorio，butinthehumanvoicewhenitspeaksfromitsinstantlifetonesoftenderness，truth，orcourage。Theoratoriohasalreadylostitsrelationtothemorning，tothesun，andtheearth，butthatpersuadingvoiceisintunewiththese。Allworksofartshouldnotbedetached，butextemporeperformances。Agreatmanisanewstatueineveryattitudeandaction。Abeautifulwomanisapicturewhichdrivesallbeholdersnoblymad。Lifemaybelyricorepic，aswellasapoemoraromance。
Atrueannouncementofthelawofcreation，ifamanwerefoundworthytodeclareit，wouldcarryartupintothekingdomofnature，anddestroyitsseparateandcontrastedexistence。Thefountainsofinventionandbeautyinmodernsocietyareallbutdriedup。A
popularnovel，atheatre，oraball-roommakesusfeelthatweareallpaupersinthealms-houseofthisworld，withoutdignity，withoutskill，orindustry。Artisaspoorandlow。TheoldtragicNecessity，whichlowersonthebrowsevenoftheVenusesandtheCupidsoftheantique，andfurnishesthesoleapologyfortheintrusionofsuchanomalousfiguresintonature，——namely，thattheywereinevitable；thattheartistwasdrunkwithapassionforformwhichhecouldnotresist，andwhichventeditselfinthesefineextravagances，——nolongerdignifiesthechiselorthepencil。Buttheartistandtheconnoisseurnowseekinarttheexhibitionoftheirtalent，oranasylumfromtheevilsoflife。Menarenotwellpleasedwiththefiguretheymakeintheirownimaginations，andtheyfleetoart，andconveytheirbettersenseinanoratorio，astatue，orapicture。Artmakesthesameeffortwhichasensualprosperitymakes；namely，todetachthebeautifulfromtheuseful，todouptheworkasunavoidable，and，hatingit，passontoenjoyment。Thesesolacesandcompensations，thisdivisionofbeautyfromuse，thelawsofnaturedonotpermit。Assoonasbeautyissought，notfromreligionandlove，butforpleasure，itdegradestheseeker。Highbeautyisnolongerattainablebyhimincanvasorinstone，insound，orinlyricalconstruction；aneffeminate，prudent，sicklybeauty，whichisnotbeauty，isallthatcanbeformed；forthehandcanneverexecuteanythinghigherthanthecharactercaninspire。
Theartthatthusseparatesisitselffirstseparated。Artmustnotbeasuperficialtalent，butmustbeginfartherbackinman。
Nowmendonotseenaturetobebeautiful，andtheygotomakeastatuewhichshallbe。Theyabhormenastasteless，dull，andinconvertible，andconsolethemselveswithcolor-bags，andblocksofmarble。Theyrejectlifeasprosaic，andcreateadeathwhichtheycallpoetic。Theydespatchtheday\'swearychores，andflytovoluptuousreveries。Theyeatanddrink，thattheymayafterwardsexecutetheideal。Thusisartvilified；thenameconveystotheminditssecondaryandbadsenses；itstandsintheimaginationassomewhatcontrarytonature，andstruckwithdeathfromthefirst。
Woulditnotbebettertobeginhigherup，——toservetheidealbeforetheyeatanddrink；toservetheidealineatinganddrinking，indrawingthebreath，andinthefunctionsoflife？Beautymustcomebacktotheusefularts，andthedistinctionbetweenthefineandtheusefulartsbeforgotten。Ifhistoryweretrulytold，iflifewerenoblyspent，itwouldbenolongereasyorpossibletodistinguishtheonefromtheother。Innature，allisuseful，allisbeautiful。Itisthereforebeautiful，becauseitisalive，moving，reproductive；itisthereforeuseful，becauseitissymmetricalandfair。Beautywillnotcomeatthecallofalegislature，norwillitrepeatinEnglandorAmericaitshistoryinGreece。Itwillcome，asalways，unannounced，andspringupbetweenthefeetofbraveandearnestmen。Itisinvainthatwelookforgeniustoreiterateitsmiraclesintheoldarts；itisitsinstincttofindbeautyandholinessinnewandnecessaryfacts，inthefieldandroad-side，intheshopandmill。Proceedingfromareligiousheartitwillraisetoadivineusetherailroad，theinsuranceoffice，thejoint-stockcompany，ourlaw，ourprimaryassemblies，ourcommerce，thegalvanicbattery，theelectricjar，theprism，andthechemist\'sretort，inwhichweseeknowonlyaneconomicaluse。Isnottheselfishandevencruelaspectwhichbelongstoourgreatmechanicalworks，——tomills，railways，andmachinery，——theeffectofthemercenaryimpulseswhichtheseworksobey？Whenitserrandsarenobleandadequate，asteamboatbridgingtheAtlanticbetweenOldandNewEngland，andarrivingatitsportswiththepunctualityofaplanet，isastepofmanintoharmonywithnature。TheboatatSt。
Petersburgh，whichpliesalongtheLenabymagnetism，needslittletomakeitsublime。Whenscienceislearnedinlove，anditspowersarewieldedbylove，theywillappearthesupplementsandcontinuationsofthematerialcreation。
ESSAYS
SecondSeriesbyRalphWaldoEmersonTHEPOET
AmoodychildandwildlywisePursuedthegamewithjoyfuleyes，Whichchose，likemeteors，theirway，Andrivedthedarkwithprivateray：
Theyoverleaptthehorizon\'sedge，SearchedwithApollo\'sprivilege；
Throughman，andwoman，andsea，andstar，Sawthedanceofnatureforwardfar；
Throughworlds，andraces，andterms，andtimes，Sawmusicalorder，andpairingrhymes。
OlympianbardswhosungDivineideasbelow，Whichalwaysfindusyoung，Andalwayskeepusso。
ESSAYIThePoetThosewhoareesteemedumpiresoftaste，areoftenpersonsknowledgeofadmiredpicturesorsculptures，andhaveaninclinationforwhateveriselegant；butifyouinquirewhethertheyarebeautifulsouls，andwhethertheirownactsarelikefairpictures，youlearnthattheyareselfishandsensual。Theircultivationislocal，asifyoushouldrubalogofdrywoodinonespottoproducefire，alltherestremainingcold。Theirknowledgeofthefineartsissomestudyofrulesandparticulars，orsomelimitedjudgmentofcolororform，whichisexercisedforamusementorforshow。Itisaproofoftheshallownessofthedoctrineofbeauty，asitliesinthemindsofouramateurs，thatmenseemtohavelosttheperceptionoftheinstantdependenceofformuponsoul。Thereisnodoctrineofformsinourphilosophy。Wewereputintoourbodies，asfireisputintoapan，tobecarriedabout；butthereisnoaccurateadjustmentbetweenthespiritandtheorgan，muchlessisthelatterthegerminationoftheformer。Soinregardtootherforms，theintellectualmendonotbelieveinanyessentialdependenceofthematerialworldonthoughtandvolition。Theologiansthinkitaprettyair-castletotalkofthespiritualmeaningofashiporacloud，ofacityoracontract，buttheyprefertocomeagaintothesolidgroundofhistoricalevidence；andeventhepoetsarecontentedwithacivilandconformedmannerofliving，andtowritepoemsfromthefancy，atasafedistancefromtheirownexperience。Butthehighestmindsoftheworldhaveneverceasedtoexplorethedoublemeaning，or，shallIsay，thequadruple，orthecentuple，ormuchmoremanifoldmeaning，ofeverysensuousfact：Orpheus，Empedocles，Heraclitus，Plato，Plutarch，Dante，Swedenborg，andthemastersofsculpture，picture，andpoetry。Forwearenotpansandbarrows，norevenportersofthefireandtorch-bearers，butchildrenofthefire，madeofit，andonlythesamedivinitytransmuted，andattwoorthreeremoves，whenweknowleastaboutit。Andthishiddentruth，thatthefountainswhenceallthisriverofTime，anditscreatures，floweth，areintrinsicallyidealandbeautiful，drawsustotheconsiderationofthenatureandfunctionsofthePoet，orthemanofBeauty，tothemeansandmaterialsheuses，andtothegeneralaspectoftheartinthepresenttime。
Thebreadthoftheproblemisgreat，forthepoetisrepresentative。Hestandsamongpartialmenforthecompleteman，andapprisesusnotofhiswealth，butofthecommon-wealth。Theyoungmanreveresmenofgenius，because，tospeaktruly，theyaremorehimselfthanheis。Theyreceiveofthesoulashealsoreceives，buttheymore。Natureenhancesherbeauty，totheeyeoflovingmen，fromtheirbeliefthatthepoetisbeholdinghershowsatthesametime。Heisisolatedamonghiscontemporaries，bytruthandbyhisart，butwiththisconsolationinhispursuits，thattheywilldrawallmensoonerorlater。Forallmenlivebytruth，andstandinneedofexpression。Inlove，inart，inavarice，inpolitics，inlabor，ingames，westudytoutterourpainfulsecret。Themanisonlyhalfhimself，theotherhalfishisexpression。
Notwithstandingthisnecessitytobepublished，adequateexpressionisrare。Iknownothowitisthatweneedaninterpreter；butthegreatmajorityofmenseemtobeminors，whohavenotyetcomeintopossessionoftheirown，ormutes，whocannotreporttheconversationtheyhavehadwithnature。Thereisnomanwhodoesnotanticipateasupersensualutilityinthesun，andstars，earth，andwater。Thesestandandwaittorenderhimapeculiarservice。Butthereissomeobstruction，orsomeexcessofphlegminourconstitution，whichdoesnotsufferthemtoyieldthedueeffect。
Toofeeblefalltheimpressionsofnatureonustomakeusartists。
Everytouchshouldthrill。Everymanshouldbesomuchanartist，thathecouldreportinconversationwhathadbefallenhim。Yet，inourexperience，theraysorappulseshavesufficientforcetoarriveatthesenses，butnotenoughtoreachthequick，andcompelthereproductionofthemselvesinspeech。Thepoetisthepersoninwhomthesepowersareinbalance，themanwithoutimpediment，whoseesandhandlesthatwhichothersdreamof，traversesthewholescaleofexperience，andisrepresentativeofman，invirtueofbeingthelargestpowertoreceiveandtoimpart。
FortheUniversehasthreechildren，bornatonetime，whichreappear，underdifferentnames，ineverysystemofthought，whethertheybecalledcause，operation，andeffect；or，morepoetically，Jove，Pluto，Neptune；or，theologically，theFather，theSpirit，andtheSon；butwhichwewillcallhere，theKnower，theDoer，andtheSayer。Thesestandrespectivelyfortheloveoftruth，fortheloveofgood，andfortheloveofbeauty。Thesethreeareequal。Eachisthatwhichheisessentially，sothathecannotbesurmountedoranalyzed，andeachofthesethreehasthepoweroftheotherslatentinhim，andhisownpatent。
Thepoetisthesayer，thenamer，andrepresentsbeauty。Heisasovereign，andstandsonthecentre。Fortheworldisnotpainted，oradorned，butisfromthebeginningbeautiful；andGodhasnotmadesomebeautifulthings，butBeautyisthecreatoroftheuniverse。
Thereforethepoetisnotanypermissivepotentate，butisemperorinhisownright。Criticismisinfestedwithacantofmaterialism，whichassumesthatmanualskillandactivityisthefirstmeritofallmen，anddisparagessuchassayanddonot，overlookingthefact，thatsomemen，namely，poets，arenaturalsayers，sentintotheworldtotheendofexpression，andconfoundsthemwiththosewhoseprovinceisaction，butwhoquitittoimitatethesayers。ButHomer\'swordsareascostlyandadmirabletoHomer，asAgamemnon\'svictoriesaretoAgamemnon。Thepoetdoesnotwaitfortheheroorthesage，but，astheyactandthinkprimarily，sohewritesprimarilywhatwillandmustbespoken，reckoningtheothers，thoughprimariesalso，yet，inrespecttohim，secondariesandservants；assittersormodelsinthestudioofapainter，orasassistantswhobringbuildingmaterialstoanarchitect。
Forpoetrywasallwrittenbeforetimewas，andwheneverwearesofinelyorganizedthatwecanpenetrateintothatregionwheretheairismusic，wehearthoseprimalwarblings，andattempttowritethemdown，butweloseeverandanonaword，oraverse，andsubstitutesomethingofourown，andthusmiswritethepoem。Themenofmoredelicateearwritedownthesecadencesmorefaithfully，andthesetranscripts，thoughimperfect，becomethesongsofthenations。
Fornatureisastrulybeautifulasitisgood，orasitisreasonable，andmustasmuchappear，asitmustbedone，orbeknown。
Wordsanddeedsarequiteindifferentmodesofthedivineenergy。
Wordsarealsoactions，andactionsareakindofwords。
Thesignandcredentialsofthepoetare，thatheannouncesthatwhichnomanforetold。Heisthetrueandonlydoctor；heknowsandtells；heistheonlytellerofnews，forhewaspresentandprivytotheappearancewhichhedescribes。Heisabeholderofideas，andanuttererofthenecessaryandcausal。Forwedonotspeaknowofmenofpoeticaltalents，orofindustryandskillinmetre，butofthetruepoet。Itookpartinaconversationtheotherday，concerningarecentwriteroflyrics，amanofsubtlemind，whoseheadappearedtobeamusic-boxofdelicatetunesandrhythms，andwhoseskill，andcommandoflanguage，wecouldnotsufficientlypraise。Butwhenthequestionarose，whetherhewasnotonlyalyrist，butapoet，wewereobligedtoconfessthatheisplainlyacontemporary，notaneternalman。Hedoesnotstandoutofourlowlimitations，likeaChimborazoundertheline，runningupfromthetorridbasethroughalltheclimatesoftheglobe，withbeltsoftheherbageofeverylatitudeonitshighandmottledsides；butthisgeniusisthelandscape-gardenofamodernhouse，adornedwithfountainsandstatues，withwell-bredmenandwomenstandingandsittinginthewalksandterraces。Wehear，throughallthevariedmusic，theground-toneofconventionallife。Ourpoetsaremenoftalentswhosing，andnotthechildrenofmusic。Theargumentissecondary，thefinishoftheversesisprimary。
Foritisnotmetres，butametre-makingargument，thatmakesapoem，——athoughtsopassionateandalive，that，likethespiritofaplantorananimal，ithasanarchitectureofitsown，andadornsnaturewithanewthing。Thethoughtandtheformareequalintheorderoftime，butintheorderofgenesisthethoughtispriortotheform。Thepoethasanewthought：hehasawholenewexperiencetounfold；hewilltellushowitwaswithhim，andallmenwillbethericherinhisfortune。For，theexperienceofeachnewagerequiresanewconfession，andtheworldseemsalwayswaitingforitspoet。Iremember，whenIwasyoung，howmuchIwasmovedonemorningbytidingsthatgeniushadappearedinayouthwhosatnearmeattable。Hehadlefthiswork，andgoneramblingnoneknewwhither，andhadwrittenhundredsoflines，butcouldnottellwhetherthatwhichwasinhimwasthereintold：hecouldtellnothingbutthatallwaschanged，——man，beast，heaven，earth，andsea。Howgladlywelistened！howcredulous！Societyseemedtobecompromised。Wesatintheauroraofasunrisewhichwastoputoutallthestars。
Bostonseemedtobeattwicethedistanceithadthenightbefore，orwasmuchfartherthanthat。Rome，——whatwasRome？PlutarchandShakspearewereintheyellowleaf，andHomernomoreshouldbeheardof。Itismuchtoknowthatpoetryhasbeenwrittenthisveryday，underthisveryroof，byyourside。What！thatwonderfulspirithasnotexpired！thesestonymomentsarestillsparklingandanimated！I
hadfanciedthattheoracleswereallsilent，andnaturehadspentherfires，andbehold！allnight，fromeverypore，thesefineaurorashavebeenstreaming。Everyonehassomeinterestintheadventofthepoet，andnooneknowshowmuchitmayconcernhim。Weknowthatthesecretoftheworldisprofound，butwhoorwhatshallbeourinterpreter，weknownot。Amountainramble，anewstyleofface，anewperson，mayputthekeyintoourhands。Ofcourse，thevalueofgeniustousisintheveracityofitsreport。Talentmayfrolicandjuggle；geniusrealizesandadds。Mankind，ingoodearnest，haveavailedsofarinunderstandingthemselvesandtheirwork，thattheforemostwatchmanonthepeakannounceshisnews。Itisthetruestwordeverspoken，andthephrasewillbethefittest，mostmusical，andtheunerringvoiceoftheworldforthattime。
Allthatwecallsacredhistoryatteststhatthebirthofapoetistheprincipaleventinchronology。Man，neversooftendeceived，stillwatchesforthearrivalofabrotherwhocanholdhimsteadytoatruth，untilhehasmadeithisown。WithwhatjoyI
begintoreadapoem，whichIconfideinasaninspiration！Andnowmychainsaretobebroken；IshallmountabovethesecloudsandopaqueairsinwhichIlive，——opaque，thoughtheyseemtransparent，——andfromtheheavenoftruthIshallseeandcomprehendmyrelations。Thatwillreconcilemetolife，andrenovatenature，toseetriflesanimatedbyatendency，andtoknowwhatIamdoing。
Lifewillnomorebeanoise；nowIshallseemenandwomen，andknowthesignsbywhichtheymaybediscernedfromfoolsandsatans。Thisdayshallbebetterthanmybirth-day：thenIbecameananimal：nowI
aminvitedintothescienceofthereal。Suchisthehope，butthefruitionispostponed。Ofteneritfalls，thatthiswingedman，whowillcarrymeintotheheaven，whirlsmeintotheclouds，thenleapsandfrisksaboutwithmefromcloudtocloud，stillaffirmingthatheisboundheavenward；andI，beingmyselfanovice，amslowinperceivingthathedoesnotknowthewayintotheheavens，andismerelybentthatIshouldadmirehisskilltorise，likeafowloraflyingfish，alittlewayfromthegroundorthewater；buttheall-piercing，all-feeding，andocularairofheaven，thatmanshallneverinhabit。Itumbledownagainsoonintomyoldnooks，andleadthelifeofexaggerationsasbefore，andhavelostmyfaithinthepossibilityofanyguidewhocanleadmethitherwhereIwouldbe。
Butleavingthesevictimsofvanity，letus，withnewhope，observehownature，byworthierimpulses，hasensuredthepoet\'sfidelitytohisofficeofannouncementandaffirming，namely，bythebeautyofthings，whichbecomesanew，andhigherbeauty，whenexpressed。Natureoffersallhercreaturestohimasapicture-language。Beingusedasatype，asecondwonderfulvalueappearsintheobject，farbetterthanitsoldvalue，asthecarpenter\'sstretchedcord，ifyouholdyourearcloseenough，ismusicalinthebreeze。“Thingsmoreexcellentthaneveryimage，“
saysJamblichus，“areexpressedthroughimages。“Thingsadmitofbeingusedassymbols，becausenatureisasymbol，inthewhole，andineverypart。Everylinewecandrawinthesand，hasexpression；
andthereisnobodywithoutitsspiritorgenius。Allformisaneffectofcharacter；allcondition，ofthequalityofthelife；allharmony，ofhealth；and，forthisreason，aperceptionofbeautyshouldbesympathetic，orproperonlytothegood。Thebeautifulrestsonthefoundationsofthenecessary。Thesoulmakesthebody，asthewiseSpenserteaches：——
“Soeveryspirit，asitismostpure，Andhathinitthemoreofheavenlylight，SoitthefairerbodydothprocureTohabitin，anditmorefairlydight，Withcheerfulgraceandamiablesight。