TJie Eambles of an Idler 



measured lines and rhyme: taken, indeed, so 

 completely captive that judgment suspends its 

 function, and we are led on, as it were, blind- 

 folded. We are carried away; we dance to 

 whatever measure cunning whistles, and are so 

 happy as puppets in another's care that we 

 shudder at the thought, if it arises, at a return 

 to personal responsibility. The often-quoted 



Lives of great men all remiad us, 

 We may make our lives sublime 



is an excellent example of what is meant; for 

 let a beam of light fall clear and direct upon 

 these lines, developing and defining all that is 

 in them, and their true value will be accurately 

 discerned. 



Lives of great men do not remind us of any- 

 thing beyond the fact that these men were great. 

 No eager student and devoted follower of any 

 great figure in history ever became, so to speak, 

 a reincarnation of that man. All greatness is 

 necessarily unique in its day, and must neces- 

 sarily remain so. We can make our own lives 

 sublime just so far as there is innate sublimity, 

 providing we have the courage to bring it out- 

 all of which has naught to do with familiarity 



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