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248 own resources; the more it is thrown on them, the better. Making as it were a mental Simplon, is only opening a road to inferior artists and common-place poets." "West is a great instance in your favour. Do you recall a most delightful incident in his early life? He was, as you know, a member of the Society of Friends—their doctrines forbid any cultivation of the fine arts. When his extraordinary talent developed itself, a meeting of their society was held to debate on the propriety of its exercise—and their judgment was, that so evident a gift of Heaven ought not to be neglected. Young West left the assembly with their blessing and sanction." "What a beautiful story!" exclaimed Emily. "It has only one fault," answered Mr. Morland, "that, like many other beautiful stories, it is not true. I questioned one of his nearest relatives about this very circumstance, which he declared not to be a fact." It was now getting late, and Mr. Morland summoned them to depart; for he was a constitutionalist in the best sense of the word. It was his own constitution to which he attended.