Genius.

will not be observable in the youth . The great variety of modifications that certain facetious anecdotes undergo , alone is sufficient to prove how extensive is that class that may fairly be said to be " indebted to their memory for their wit ;"

and following the point up with other examples , it would not be difficult to assign the cause of tjie idea that talented men have not usually shown very brilliant powers in their early days . . Next , as to the asserted , idle and irregular

habits of genius . A proper genius , being original of necessity , projects things unusual , which , taking the world of capitalists by surprise , fails for some time , even if they be really good , to meet with success ; hence their author , if he does not

happen to be a man of property , Avill have but a precarious livelihood ; and even if he starts in life Avith plenty of money , it is more than likely that his own natural and unbounded confidence in his

own powers will lead him , especially when surrounded by designing persons , soon to exhaust his funds , Avorking ever under the impression that he has at last detected his previous error , and is about at once to succeed in his undertaking . Thus

years pass away , until at last , he stakes all—casts the last die for fortune or ruin ; but the last is the most general result of the throw , and then the genius is driven to despair , unless he is very strong-minded and persevering ; and even these

are scarcely qualities sufficient , in all cases , to uphold the unfortunate , unless aided by true religious principles , which inspire hope and faith , aud ever prove an unfailing prop in the time of adversity . Palissy risked everything and Avon , but he is

almost a solitary example . George Stevenson progressed rather by perseverance , steadily ; and while he Avas awaiting the success of his schemes , he had regular occupation therefrom to obtain a livelihood . A man of really original talent , AVIIO

has been thoroughly broken down by misfortune , is a most pitiable creature ; he is driven for his living to some occupation , Avhich , if not derogatory to him , is not suited to his tastes , and , in most instances , he is not one who can seek consolation

in domestic happiness ; for Ave are inclined to imagine that the perfect genius is not capable of becoming in any notable degree domesticated : the interior man is ever more attractive , more absorbing , than the exterior world . If all hope of success is lost , even in his sanguine heart he may yet indulge in the temporary pleasure of

Genius.

reveries—m waking dreams which , for a while , beguile his thoughts , and turn his attention from brooding over his own miseries . This satisfaction , however , is of very short duration ; so if he wants external amusement , it must be something

powerfully exciting , and recourse once had to this , the excitement must be increased till it becomes indispensable and constant , ending in the destruction of mind and body .

The relative number of individuals of any class , and more especially of those classes of whom the public knoAV but little , on account of their comparative smallness , dying in a miserable way , or living a life of intemperance , is apt to be

overestimated , because those instances are the only ones relating to that class which are brought prominently under public notice , which is done in the public press , under such heads as " Miserable End of an Inventor ; " or , in the cases of mental death

( which is more fearful than bodily dissolution ) , " Lunacy from over-taxation ofthe Brain ; " hence some folks may be heard to assert that all the geniuses they have ever heard of came to a bad end .

Of those of the class of Avhich Ave are treating who are successful , there is no . t much to be said ; but this may be observed , that their prosperity is very often rather due to a fortunate concurrence of circumstances than to their own shrewdness .

They may chance upon an idea at the time there is an opportunity of applying it usefully , and that is what makes their fortune . It may , perhaps , be urged , that if a . man is not successful , he cannot be a great genius , but Ave

maintain that this is not strictly the case ; if he attains the end at which he aims , his ingenuity in so doing is the same considered in the abstract , whether the end , when reached , serves to bring him great emolument or not , although in the eyes

of the Avorld , the man who sees the A alue of an invention , and applies it , is greater and more useful than its author .

Legal Redress.

LEGAL REDRESS .

In the recent trial of an action for breach of promise , some points of evidence were introduced which , toAvards the close of the proceedings , gave an unexpected direction to the vieAvs of the jurymen . Sergeant was for the plaintiff , and R ¦ , Q . C . j for the defendant . The latter having obtained the verdict , afterwards strolling