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enable us to account for this, but incline us alfo to reckon it impoffible that ever an high degree of genius fhould be unaccompanied with fomething of that elevation and warmth of imagination, which we term enthusiasm (s). Genius turns our thoughts habitually to fuch fubjects as are adapted to it; habitual applica- : tion to any subject, enables us to form strong and lively conceptions of every thing relating to it; a strong conception naturally invigorates and elevates the imagination in contemplating it; and while this frame continues, all the actions of the mind will be ftrong and vehement. Such is the difpofition with which a man of genius turns his view to any fubject; as foon as he begins to think how it may be compleated, he eyes it as a rich treafure, with delight and confcious pride; he triumphs in the prospect of forming

"he knows not what excelling things,"

and pursues all the affociations which it prefents, with incredible eagerness and fpirit. When an ingenious track of thinking prefents itself, though but cafually, to true ge

() Ariftotle, who will not be fufpected to be too great a favourer of enthusiasm, seems to affert, That it alone can difpose men to search for new inventions in philofophy: Aia yap τὸ ΘΑΥΜΑΖΕΙΝ οἱ ἄνθρωποι καὶ νῦν, καὶ τὸ πρῶτον ἤρξαντο οι απορούν. Μετὰ τὰ φυσικά, στο κεφ. β.

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nius, occupied it may be with fomething else, imagination darts along it with great rapidity; and by this rapidity its ardor is more inflamed. The velocity of its motion fets it on fire, like a chariot wheel which is kindled by the quickness of its revolution. As a sprightly courfer continually mends his pace, fo genius, in proportion as it proceeds in its fubject, acquires new force and spirit, which urges it on fo vehemently, that it cannot be restrained from profecuting it. Difficulties in the execution only excite its vigour, rouse its keenness, and draw out its utmost efforts to furmount them. Its motions become ftill more impetuous, till the mind is enraptured. with the fubject, and exalted into an extasy. In this manner the fire of genius, like a diviae impulfe, raises the mind above itself, and by the natural influence of imagination actuates it as if it were fupernaturally inspired. The ardor which thus fprings from the exertion of genius, has fometimes rifen to a degree of fervour perfectly astonishing. Archimedes (1), Protogenes (u), and Parmegi

(1) Quem ardorem ftudii cenfetis fuiffe in Archimede, qui, dem in pulvere quædam defcribit attentius, ne patriam qui dem captam effe fenferit? Cic. de Fin. lib. v.

() Erat Protogenes in fuburbano hortulo fuo, hoc eft Demetril caftris. Neque interpellatus præliis, inchoata opera. intermifit omnino.

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ano (x), are faid to have been fo totally entranced, the two latter in painting, and the former in the less enthusiastic investigation of mathematical truth, as not to be diverted from their works by all the terrors of hoftile armies taking by ftorm the places where they were employed. It is reported of Marini, that he was fo intent on revifing some stanzas of his Adonis, that he fuffered one of his legs to be burnt for a confiderable time, before he was fenfible of it (y).We may Temark farther, That as a kind of enthusi astic ardour naturally arifes from the exertion of genius, fo this ardour greatly affifts and improves the operations of genius. By ele vating and enlivening the fancy, it gives vigour and activity to its affociating power, enables it to proceed with alacrity in fearching out the neceffary ideas; and at the fame time, by engroffing us wholly in the present fubject, preserves us from attending to fo reign ideas, which would confound our thought, and retard our progrefs (z).

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(x) Graham's account of painters. () Eloges des Sçavans, tom. z.

(x) Les Peintres et les Poetes ne pouvent inventer de fang froid. On fait bien qu'ils entrent en un efpece d'enthoufiafme, lorsqu'ils produisent leurs idées, &c. Reflex. Crit. fur la poef. et fur la peint. 2 Part. 2 Seat.

We have now explained, how genius arifes from the perfection and vigour of the imagination. However capricious and unaccountable this faculty may be often reckoned, yet it is fubject to established laws; and is capable, not only of fuch extent as qualifies it for collecting ideas from all the parts of nature, but also of fuch regularity and correctnefs as is in a great measure fufficient for avoiding all improper ideas, for selecting such as are fubordinate to the defign, and for dif pofing them into a confiftent plan, or a dif tinct method. (It is the firft author of all inventions, and has greater influence in carrying them to perfection, than we are ready to fufpect. It forms what we properly call genius in every art, and in every science.) It is always necessary indeed, that judgment attend it in its operations, and affift it in difcovering truth or beauty. In what ways it does-fo, we fhall next enquire.

SECT

SECT. IV.

Of the influence of Judgment upon Genius.

T

HOUGH genius be properly a comprehenfive, regular, and active imagination, yet it can never attain perfection, or exert itself fuccessfully on any subject, except it be united with a found and piercing judgment. The vigour of imagination carries it forward to invention; but understanding must always conduct it and regulate its motions. A horfe of high mettle ranging at liberty, will run with great fwiftness and spirit, but in an irregular track and without any fixt direction: a fkilful rider makes him move ftraight in the road, with equal spirit and swiftness. In like manner, a fine imagination left to itself, will break out into bold fallies and wild extravagance, and overleap the bounds of truth or probability: but when it is put under the management of · found judgment, it leads to folid and useful invention, without having its natural fprightliness in the least impaired.

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Ir is the union of an extenfive imagination with an accurate judgment, that has ac

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