MY SHRUBS 127 



other valuation of his performances than his own. There have been 

 and still exist vain Masters in every branch of human achievement ; 

 but they are happily rare, for, even in this, our time, modesty con- 

 tinues to be a jewel in the crown of greatness. 



" If any one be in rapture with his own knowledge, looking 

 only on those below him, let him but turn his glance upward toward 

 past ages, and his pride will be abated, when he shall there find so 

 many thousand wits that trample him under foot." 



The man who wrote that would have declared it impossible had 

 he learned of the everlasting fame to attend his own genius ; yet 

 from him William Shakespeare was very well pleased to borrow 

 both wisdom and humour. 



