2792. the disadvantages of genius. tit 
would almost stop him from exerting the powers whick 
mature has endowed him with, did not his thirst for fame, 
and the hopes that futurity would pay these exertions 
that respect_and reverence which they deserve, operate 
much more strongly than the prospect of any present 
injury, or the poisoned stings of secret malice, This 
_I may say is one of his greatest foes; for the sting 
of the snake which Envy lets loose upon such occasions 
is commonly proportioned to the degrees of merit pofsef- 
sed by the person envied. Hence he who has evidently 
superior abilities above the society that he commonly mix- 
es with, if he has not that cunning or prudence, or call 
it what you will, which is absolutely necefsary in his 
intercourse with the world, has commonly more ene- 
muies than other men; whereas he who is not a superior 
genius, but circumscribes his exertions to afford enter- 
_ tainment to his afsociates and friends, has the satisfaction 
of seeing good humour and social merriment thed over 
every circle he mixes in, while he himself enjoys the 
sympathetic pleasure that springs from mutual inter- 
course, and commonly reigns supreme in every thing that 
is going forward. 
_ On the other hand, the great genius has sometimes 
Thours of the most exquisite pleasure,—pleasure arising 
from the conversation of enlightened men, the chastity of 
his own sentiments, the sublimity of his own ideas, and 
the contemplation of that universal harmony displayed 
in the works of nature. Big with thoughts of a high- 
er nature than those which are common to most men, 
he cannot join the giddy throng, nor enjoy their amuse- 
ments with that eagernefs with which they are pursued. 
‘Though he feels this disadvantage, he cannot remedy 
the evil, his nature inclining him to despise those secon- 
dary enjoyments which proceed from company and incef- 
