89-1 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



enabled to see in what line of pursuit he can gratify his own 

 feelings, and outstrip his fellows in the race. 



Our young friend had thus learned that he was not a genius. 

 He had found the several faculties of his mind, his judgment, 

 his m3iTiory, his imiginatiaii, all moderate, but upon a fair 

 equality with each other. He had not the glorious and melan- 

 choly gift of genius, and he had the good sense not to repine 

 on that account; and to know that what is called genius, though 

 sometimes the greatness of every faculty, is more usually an 

 intellectual disease, the vigor of one faculty exhausting the 

 resources which naturally belong to all. He had not that com- 

 bination of imperious will, ardent enthusiasm, and gentle persua- 

 siveness, which, with rare physical gifts, constitutes the eloquent 

 orator. And he repined not at this. For he knew that the 

 great gift of eloquence leads to mighty aspirations and crushing 

 disapi)ointments. He knew that he had not the quick and 

 delicate perceptions, the power of design, the instinct of manipu- 

 lation which constitutes the artist. And he repined not at this. 

 For he knew that the more delicate the perception and the 

 more exquisite the taste, the more rare the gratification and 

 the more frequent and annoying the disgust. He saw, upon 

 the whole, that he belonged to that great majority of mankind 

 whose power and character of mind, with patient labor, enables 

 them to succeed in any of the ordinary and useful professions 

 and occupations of life. 



He had been told fiankly and plainly, as every son should be 

 told, his pecuniary situation. He could receive some aid, if he 

 greatly desired it, in obtaining a liberal education ; if he did 

 not, the means of that moderate aid would be his only capital 

 upon entering active life, and that by no means certain. And 

 he had the good sense to perceive that this, upon the whole, 

 was the best patrimony he could possibly inherit. It seemed to 

 his spirit a stirring and nol)le idea, to make his own fortune, 

 and to 1 ely upon himself, and he looked forward to his first un- 

 aided exertions, as to a position of self-reliance and self-respect. 



And njw the young man asks of himself, what shall be his 

 course of life ? The various great highways of life radiate from 

 hi« position in all directions. Which one shall attract his steps 

 and draw him onward ? The most excellent profession of a 

 teacher of divine truth, the guide of the immortal spirit to its 



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