Page:Genius, and other essays.djvu/244

GENIUS AND OTHER ESSAYS, diadems, masks, domestic implements, sceptres—much of it pure gold, the rest composed of bronze, silver, and even of crystal and precious stones. The details of this marvellous "find" were but briefly indicated in his hurried letter to King George, in which he waived all claim to the treasure, "sufficient to fill a large museum, and the most splendid in the world," and offered it "with intense enthusiasm, entirely to Greece."

Later dispatches enumerate the articles found and fully confirm the assertion of the explorer, besides giving a more elaborate description of the position and character of the tombs thus opened. But when the first news crossed the Atlantic, it was felt, I say, that here was something of priceless meaning, and our own people were moved to something of the "enthusiasm" displayed by the joyous discoverer himself. True, he had used similar language in respect to what seemed to us the less assured triumph of his labors in the Troad. But it is this unbounded eagerness and delight which go to the making of a great explorer and finally produce splendid results. There is always a sufficient number of critics icily cold to freeze out those who are pretenders; and when a worthy aspirant appears, it requires all the energy of a strong nature to sustain before them his heat and noble rage.

The interest taken by our intelligent public in the news from Mykenæ at once found expression in the daily journals. Let me allude to the amusing and somewhat provincial inconsistency of our English [230]