878 On Genius. 
Among the foremost of these qualities we 
may specify great vividness of conception ; 
by means of which an individual is enabled 
to present his ideas ina very strong light and 
definite shape, so that the sentiment or emo- 
tion, which he means to convey, may be at 
once apprehended, and seem to come fresh 
and glowing from the mind of its author. 
Again, it is characteristic of Genius to be 
extremely earnest and enthusiastic in the 
pursuit of its object, and to seize with in- 
stinctive quickness every association, which 
has a relation to it, which places it in a 
clearer point of view or invests it with new 
grandeur and beauty. A still stronger indi- 
cation of this mysterious faculty is discovered 
in a certain originality of thought and fresh- 
ness of feeling, the absence of which we cen- 
sure in works of art, when we call them 
mediocre or common-place. In an enquiry 
of this nature, it is difficult to avoid falling 
into vague and unmeaning declamation; but 
those, who are capable of feeling what is 
striking and beautiful in works. of art; 
will understand me, when J observe that, in 
the productions, of real Genius, there is a 
peculiar newness and integrity of expression, 
which distinguishes them at once from the 
effusions of inferior minds. It is as, though 
