Candor 



with another's story, but comes through influ- 

 ences over which we have no control. Great- 

 ness is as much a fruit of its time, irrespective 

 of the past, as apples, good, bad, or indifferent, 

 are the product of an orchard. 



Study of the difficulties that beset the path of 

 greatness, when they did beset it, and how they 

 were overcome, may serve to teach us how we 

 may get over obstacles that block our progress, 

 or seem to do so ; but this does not necessarily 

 lead to sublimity of life. To pull through at all 

 is the measure. of success that is the lot of most 

 of us ; and ambition, unchecked, is as dangerous 

 as fire, which may warm us to a more healthful 

 activity, but in which the power and disposi- 

 tion to consume are always present, and the 

 world hears only of the scanty few who escape 

 the little handful upon whom Fortune smiled. 



General literature does not require, and 

 poetry should not depend upon, license. Figu- 

 rative expression is too liable to be miscon- 

 strued to warrant its use, except in the rarest 

 cases, when befogging the purport is reduced 

 to a minimum; and the author who has not 

 a presentable idea, couched in proper terms or 

 enough basis of thought to warrant a plain 



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