us proceed to a fresh position; which, as before, shall first
be broadly stated, then modified and explained. How does originality
differ from the poetical talent? Without affecting the accuracy of a
definition, we may call the latter the originality of right moral
feeling.

Originality may perhaps be defined as the power of abstracting for
oneself, and is in thought what strength of mind is in action. Our
opinions are commonly derived from education and society. Common minds
transmit as they receive, good and bad, true and false; minds of
original talent feel a continual propensity to investigate subjects
and strike out views for themselves;--so that even old and established
truths do not escape modification and accidental change when subjected
to this process of mental digestion. Even the style of original
writers is stamped with the peculiarities of their minds. When
originality is found apart from good sense, which more or less is
frequently the case, it shows itself in paradox and rashness of
sentiment, and eccentricity of outward conduct. Poetry, on the other
hand, cannot be separated from its good sense, or taste, as it is
called; which is one of its elements. It is originality energizing in
the world of beauty; the originality of grace, purity, refinement, and
feeling. We do not hesitate to say, that poetry is ultimately founded
on correct moral perception;--that where there is no sound principle
in exercise there will be no poetry, and that on the whole
(originality being granted) in proportion to the standard of a
writer's moral character, will his compositions vary in poetical
excellence. This position, however, requires some explanation.[24]

[24] A living prelate, in his Academical Prelections, even
suggests the converse of our position--'_Neque enim facile
crediderim de eo qui semel hac imbutus fuerit disciplina, qui
in id tota mentis acie assuefactus fuerit incumbere, ut quid
sit in rebus decens, quid pulchrum, quid congruum, penitus
intueretur, quin idem harum rerum perpetuum amorem foveat, et
cum ab his studiis discesserit, etiam ad reliqua vitae
officia earum imaginem quasi animo infixam transferat._'

Of course, then, we do not mean to imply that a poet must necessarily
_display_ virtuous and religious feeling;--we are not speaking of the
actual _material_ of poetry, but of its _sources_. A right moral state
of heart is the formal and scientific condition of a poeti