What else are sanctities, and reforms, and
all other things? Whatever can make for itself an element, means,
organs, servants, and the most profound and permanent existence in
the hearts and heads of millions of men, must have a reason for its
being. Its excellency is reason and vindication enough. If rhyme
rejoices us, there should be rhyme, as much as if fire cheers us, we
should bring wood and coals. Each kind of excellence takes place for
its hour, and excludes everything else. Do not brag of your actions,
as if they were better than Homer's verses or Raphael's pictures.
Raphael and Homer feel that action is pitiful beside their
enchantments. They could act too, if the stake was worthy of them;
but now all that is good in the universe urges them to their task.
Whoever writes for the love of truth and beauty, and not with
ulterior ends, belongs to this sacred class, and among these, few men
of the present age, have a better claim to be numbered than Mr.
Landor. Wherever genius or taste has existed, wherever freedom and
justice are threatened, which he values as the element in which
genius may work, his interest is sure to be commanded.
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