he faculties and feelings which are
general in man as an animal. The popularity is then as sudden as it
is well grounded,--it is hearty and honest in every mind, but it is
based in every mind on a different species of excellence. Such will
often be the case with the noblest works of literature. Take Don
Quixote for example. The lowest mind would find in it perpetual and
brutal amusement in the misfortunes of the knight, and perpetual
pleasure in sympathy with the squire. A mind of average feeling
would perceive the satirical meaning and force of the book, would
appreciate its wit, its elegance, and its truth. But only elevated
and peculiar minds discover, in addition to all this, the full moral
beauty of the love and truth which are the constant associates of
all that is even most weak and erring in the character of its hero,
and pass over the rude adventure and scurrile jest in haste--perhaps
in pain, to penetrate beneath the rusty corselet, and catch from the
wandering glance the evidence and expression of fortitude,
self-devotion, and universal love. So, again, with the works of
Scott and Byron; popularity was as instant as it was deserved,
because there is in them an appeal to those passions which are
universal in all men, as well as an expression of such thoughts as
can be received only by the few. But they are admired by the
majority of their advocates for the weakest parts of their works, as
a popular preacher by the majority of his congregation for the worst
part of his sermon.

The process is rapid and certain, when, though there may be little
to catch the multitude at once, there is much which they can enjoy
when their attention is authoritatively directed to it. So rests the
reputation of Shakspeare. No ordinary mind can comprehend wherein
his undisputed superiority consists, but there is yet quite as much
to amuse, thrill, or excite,--quite as much of what is, in the
strict sense of the word, dramatic, in his works as in any one
else's. They were received, therefore, when first written, with
average approval, as works of common merit: but when the high
decision was made, and the circle spread, the public took up the hue
and cry conscientiously enough. Let them have daggers, ghosts,
clowns, and kings, and with such real and definite sources of
enjoyment, they will tak