^N INTELLECTUAL MONsSTKOSITV. 241 



under the above title ; for it does not follow as a philosopliical neces- 

 sity, that he must do anything either injurious to others or annoy- 

 ing to himself. He may be harmless, kind, considerate ; or energe- 

 tic, irrascible, or dogmatic : but, whatever his temper, he is dis- 

 tinguished by one trait — he ventures to think for himself! 'Tis 

 true, he may be indebted for his acknowledged mental superioi'ity 

 to an original and vigorous cerebral organization (as is the case of 

 those persons who are called geniuses), or to his having concentrated 

 his mental powers to one specific pursuit, which has enabled him to 

 arrive at excellence in some art or science. It is very likely, how- 

 ever, that he may be less pleasing to a commonplace associate than 

 if he had a superficial acquaintance with many subjects ; but if we 

 look to the advancement of science, then his value is incalculably 

 greater. If such a person investigates any science, he gives up 

 every thing that may distract his attention, and the whole of his 

 thoughts are concentrated for the attainment of the object. He dif- 

 fers from the dillelaiili in the sciences, as he does not allow any ulte- 

 rior pursuit to interfere with his fixed purpose ; hence he becomes 

 the discoverer of new truths, or he is led to a clearer and more 

 perspicuous view of those already known. And if utility is to be 

 estimated, such a person is not only entitled to respect for his use- 

 fulness, but he merits esteem for his many privations and personal 

 sacrifices. But it is a palpable truism, at which the heart sickens, 

 that individuals who have been benefactors to their species, are, too 

 often, victims of unmerited neglect, and very often, in days of yore, 

 were punished instead of being rewarded. Even now, in our own 

 boasted days of liberality, it is too often the case that men of talent 

 suffer from poverty and unmerited neglect. Pensions are lavished 

 on the destroyers of their species ; but he who exercises his mental 

 powers for the benefit of the common-wealth must be satisfied with 

 the scantiest fare. It must be confessed, that if an intellectual 

 monstrosity is needy, he is ill adapted to guide his vessel safely o'er 

 the stormy seas of life ; but, should his bark be wrecked, he is still 

 less able to buffet the waves of adversity and disappointment, and 

 his modest and noble spirit sinks in the unmerited struggle. If such 

 a being should escape the ills of poverty or the insolence of the con- 

 tumacious, it seems more than probable that he has a balance of hap- 

 piness in his favour : for, if deprived of a well-earned reward for 

 his various labours, he consoles himself for his many privations with 

 the fond hope of posthumous fame ! This one thought compensates 

 for every present difficulty, and cheers him on the thorny road of 

 existence, even though his feet arc bleeding and his body is wearied 



