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have made you indifferent to the patronage either of religious or literary institutions.

And now, while authorized by so inviting an example of munificence, may I presume to encourage the patronage of Genius, by a practical suggestion to those whose hands are full and whose minds are disposed to favour the cause of learning? Late experiment in a neighbouring University, has demonstrated the utility of a small fund for prize compositions and declamations. Will you suffer your merited reputation for composition and eloquence to be eclipsed, by the superior zeal of others in providing and adopting expedients for improvement? Are none desirous of availing themselves of this opportunity? It would be hard to say, perhaps, how Genius could in any other way be so greatly aided, in this Institution at this time, as by a fund yielding fifty or an hundred dollars in a year. Pardon such a suggestion, since it originates in an earnest desire, that there may go forth from you, as in times past, subjects of national esteem and admiration, to direct by their wisdom and persuade by their eloquence.

In proposing to speak of those aids of Genius, the influence of which is not usually estimated according to their relative importance; we have deprived ourselves of the opportunity of introducing several topicks, which would have been essential to our subject, had we proposed to treat, in general, of the aids of Genius. We have omitted emulation, which is so powerful an excitement. We have omitted the love of fame, which has undoubtedly, in the absence of higher motives, operated as a strong impulse upon many geniuses of the first order. We omit the influence of that love of power, which has quickened probably more malignant than virtuous minds; while they have chosen " rather to reign in hell, than serve in heaven."

Reserved for our conclusion, is a consoling consideration, though it may appear a paradox. Genius is

aided by impediments. In forwarding the growth and the success of talent, some checks and embarrassments seem as necessary, as is occasional pain to the highest enjoyment of life. Genius is inactive, while surrounded with too many advantages, and must be awakened by its fears. I know it has been said,

"Slow rises worth, by poverty depressed."

Still, facts would lead us to conclude, that poverty is more propitious to the first expansion of Genius, than affluence. Necessity must prompt to those first efforts, many times painful, which talent, in order to become vigorous, must exert. Such is the love of ease and indulgence, that talent will most frequently choose to recline, if possible, upon the lap of wealth. Defects as it respects personal appearance, which have indeed excited the look of pity or contempt, and been in one view impediments to Genius, have in other respects favoured its advancement. The fair form of beauty, though not inconsistent with the possession of talents, and though it is, perhaps, as the ancients considered it, rather an indication of their existence-is not always most favourable to their cultivation. It relies on its own attractions, and too frequently neglects to call Genius to its aid. Pope, it may be, strove to gain advantages from his mind, which the plainness of his person denied him; and to the deformity of his figure, we may be, in some measure, indebted for the beauty and grace of his poetical numbers. We would indulge no cynical aversion to the forms and civilities of polite life. But the want of that ease and dexterity of manners which introduces lesser minds to consideration, has probably been an aid to Genius, by turning its exertions into other channels, and concentrating its force upon great actions, which should supply all deficiency of lesser accomplishments. The coldness of neglect, the frown of superiority, the opposition of rivals or enemies, while they have endeavoured to depress Genius, have only demonstrated its elasticity

and reaction. It is the effect of such obstacles, to raise the streams they are designed to impede. Such defects and obstructions, while they produce diffidence, do also inspire resolution, and that mysterious combination, of humility to distrust and confidence to attempt, are at once the characteristicks, and the most effectual aids of Genius.

These we apprehend to be some of the means, by which Genius is excited, and rendered efficient and conspicuous. If, too often, it has been conspicuous by the ravages it has made, when actuated by the selfish and malignant passions, yet often its influence has been on the side of humanity; benevolence has given it impulse, and the wise and good have beheld, with rapture, such men raised by Divine Providence to be, if I may speak so, presiding divinities over human affairs; to have, while living and when dead, the only true and desirable praise of Genius, that it was united with virtue, and employed, not to annoy but to benefit mankind.

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