growth or
properly their own.'

And so, speaking of men of genius as being less capable than other
persons 'of fitting themselves, without hurtful compression, into any of
_the small number of moulds_ which society provides in order to save its
members the trouble of forming their own character,' he continues:

'If they are of a strong character and break their fetters, they
become a mark for the society which has not succeeded in reducing
them to commonplace, to point at with solemn warning, as 'wild,'
'erratic,' and the like; much as if one should complain of the
Niagara river for not flowing smoothly between its banks like a
Dutch canal.'

Mr. Buckle also bears testimony to the same effect in the following
language:

'The immense mass of mankind are, in regard to their usages, in a
state of social slavery; each man being bound under heavy
penalties, to conform to the standard of life common to his own
class. How serious these penalties are, is evident from the fact
that though innumerable persons complain of prevailing customs, and
wish to shake them off, they dare not do so, but continue to
practise them, though frequently at the expense of health, comfort,
and fortune. Men not cowards in other respects, and of a fair share
of moral courage, are afraid to rebel against this grievous and
exacting tyranny.'

Now, we are decidedly of opinion that the expressions used by both these
eminent writers are altogether too strong. We think it is true, both in
Europe and America, that whenever the masses of society recognize a man
of real genius, they are ever ready to welcome him with all his
peculiarities--not merely to overlook his ordinary eccentricities, but
to pardon grave offences against morality, and even to imitate his
errors. It may well be that the multitude are not quick to distinguish
superiority; though with the proper information and opportunity of
judging, they seldom fail instinctively to appreciate great qualities,
especially if these be such as relate to practical life, or artistic
development, rather than to abstract and speculative science. Men
addicted to pursuits of the latter kind, make their merits known more
slowly; but when they are known, they command unbounded respect in
society.

The real difficulty, unfortunately, is, that the vast majority of men
are not gifted with marked individuality, or great genius.