J 6 Heredity Variation and Genius 



liberately purposed or foresaw, perhaps retrospec- 

 tively rued, than in the sober calculations of 

 reason. Out of feeling it is that impulses spring, 

 and it is feeling which, infusing character, deter- 

 mines the quality of personal distinction. Tides 

 of high feeling impel answering flashes of thought 

 and outbursts of conduct, as common tides of 

 feeling inspire common ideas and acts ; and 

 through fuller and finer feeling with its fitting 

 expressions the aspiring nature aims and en- 

 deavours to become and fulfil its perfect self. To 

 limit life in mind to its outcome in consciousness 

 is much as if one were to limit life in a street to 

 the light-range of a particular gas-lamp, or to 

 think that the stars shine not because unseen in 

 broad daylight. 



Is it not the simple truth that to make a new 

 start of evolution in a progressive world it is 

 always necessary to violate the prevailing rules of 

 reason — to re-form, that is, the formulated ratio 

 or reason of things ? The genius is in sympathy 

 with his kind by that in him which is not genius, 

 and out of sympathy with it by that which, being 

 genius, seems irrational to the multitude. His 

 likeness to them which they like he inherits ; his 

 unlikeness is a mutation which, being a breach of 

 custom of the type, is repugnant and they dislike- 

 But not therefore an unprofitable although possibly 

 an unwelcome advent, for the world would soon 

 be. in a bad way if there were no better to-morrow 

 to its truth of to-day. 



