426 On Genius. 
have explored the same tracts and carried their 
investigation further, to determine. But we 
willingly indulge the belief, that every hy- 
pothesis, which is not flagrantly absurd, may 
have its use in exciting pleasant and instruc- 
tive discussion, and in smoothing away a few 
of the roughnesses, which obstruct the ave- 
nues to truth. It is in this persuasion, that 
the foregoing views on the nature of Genius 
have been committed to paper, and are now 
submitted with deference to the consideration 
of the candid and judicious. 
