Page:Sarah Sheppard - L. E. L.pdf/77

 great versatility of her talents, the spontaneous upspringing (for we can deem it nothing less) of her thoughts might afford a conclusive answer to the question so often discussed as to the existence of an original essential difference between mind and mind. Genius—who shall define? It seems, as a whole, inscrutable and innate as that mysterious spirit, of which it is, wherever it exists, the most mysterious part; but that it is a natural gift, not an acquired power, there is sufficient demonstration. If it be said that circumstances affect character; granting that they do, would not the same circumstances affect two or more individuals differently? If this be true, must not that different affection be occasioned by some originally different and innate susceptibility in the persons thus affected? And if this original dissimilarity be admitted in one instance, must it not in many and all? It has been well asked, "If