398 On Genius. 
can wholly overcome; and, at the same time, 
leaves enough to the influence of circum- 
stances, toexplain that connection, which 
may in all cases be traced between an indi- 
vidual’s education and his character. But it 
may be objected, that, on this hypothesis, 
as the only original difference, which we 
recognize in the minds of men, isa greater 
or less degree of natural sensibility to plea- 
sure and pain, in those primary impressions, 
which are received through the senses ; there 
must be a regular gradation of temperament 
in the human constitution, from the highest 
to the lowest degree of natural susceptibility ; 
and thus, no distinct boundary can be mark- 
ed out which separates from the intellectual 
patrimony assigned to the multitude—the 
consecrated enclosure of Genius.(o) And 
if this be the case,—where then the distinc- 
tive characteristics of Genius?—where the 
originality, freshness and vigour of mind, 
which were represented as its peculiar pre- 
rogative? In reply to this objection, of 
of which I feel the force, it must be observed, 
that two causes co-operate to the production 
(0) Evd? oure rowuny eksor PegGery Boren, 
our nAde ww csdngos, aNA? aKngoyToy 
perio Atiuwy’ newoy dteexereus, 
abows OE TOTHAbOTs KNTEVEL Ogoross, 
Euripid, Hippol, 74-7. 
