308 



DICKSON ON THE 



Flax-culture in Ireland, does not altogether condemn specula- 

 tion ; he feels confident and convinced that speculation, when 

 not driven to excess, does good ; and that men of the cool, 

 calculating school, are too much of the stupid race to do much 

 good for others, if any for themselves ; and he also knows 

 that but for the sanguine spirits that pushed on our. railways 

 and steam-ships, with our telegraphs, and other gigantic 

 wonders of the age, that we. must have been behind 

 other nations ; whereas, we have the honour of leading in 

 all that enterprise and genius can lay claim to in the way of 

 improvement. A man of inventive mind can feel as happy 

 and at home with himself alone in a garret, if, in his sanguine 

 moments, he feels certain by his labours to overcome a 

 difficulty, as any prince or potentate can do in holding a 

 drawing-room for his visitors. I have myself enjoyed the 

 pleasure of such a feeling ; I knew I could surmount all the 

 difficulties that lay in my path ; and I can endorse the words 

 of Buffon, who said Invention depends on patience; 

 contemplate your subject long ; it will gradually unfold itself, 

 till a sort of electric spark convulses the brain, and spieads 

 down to the heart a very glow of irritation. Then comes the 

 luxuries of genius ; the true hours for production and compo- 

 sition ; hours so delightful, that I have spent twelve and four- 

 teen successively at my writing desk, and still been in a state 

 of pleasure." Buffon is not the only authority on the pleasure 

 resulting from contemplation and hours spent at a writing- 

 desk. The most meritorious objects are the pursuits which 

 raise the character of human nature, and promote its civiliza- 

 tion, its refinement, and its dignity. My experience leads me 

 to believe (for the last three years in particular) that the 

 civilization and social advancement of our great Indian empire 

 depends as much upon the production of the man of genius, 

 for securing internal peace, as it does on good government ; 

 and hence it is that I write and publish on the growing and 



