Page:Sarah Sheppard - L. E. L.pdf/8

 daughter of Genius, and immediately every member of that one glorious family recognizes and acknowledges the relationship. Yet frequently the very title to rank, as partaker of an intellectual birthright, is made by the law of the unthinking multitude a deed of separation from the privileges and immunities of general society. And why this strange decision? Because they whose decision it is, are subjects of the superficial spirit of the age, which leaves them unacquainted with all of which it appoints them judges. Because, either from a dislike of trouble, or inability to pursue the inquiry, these judges never deviate from their own beaten right line to observe how genius acts and is acted upon,—how it is influenced, and what effects it produces on society. Hence the mistaken opinions concerning literary characters one is often compelled to hear from those who, it is to be feared, know little of what they affirm; and of literary works from those who, it is also to be feared, are not competent to decide on their merits. It is indeed strange with what decision people set their seal of condemnation on volumes beyond whose title-pages they have scarcely looked. If persons, guided by candour, would find fault only with what they had thoroughly examined, perfectly understood, and yet with what their judgment and taste could not consistently approve, their opinion would deserve respect, and commend itself to the good sense, forbearance and gratitude of the party most concerned. Our former censure refers