46 



speak of circumstances like men of sober 

 sense, but always express themselves in 

 hyperbole. The strong perception of what 

 is great, good, and beautiful, makes them 

 strive to excel, but it often is an ideal ex- 

 cellence which they aim at, and not such a& 

 is attainable by ordinary means or powers. 

 This state of mind Gall and Spurzheira 

 consider as essential to poetic talent, and 

 they call it ideality. Yet this state of mind 

 does not make the poet ; for he must have 

 knowledge, or materials, as well as ima- 

 gination and abilities to design and cq^* 

 struct those compounds of fancy and 

 knowledge which equally delight and in- 

 form us. This sensibility of mind operates 

 upon all our faculties and sentiments, and 

 heightens their effect ; so that it is pro- 

 ductive of good or evil, according to the 

 character and abilities of the party to whoBOi 

 it may belong. 



