I have followed this train of reasoning much further, till I
have concluded, that a person of genius is the most improper person to
be employed in education, public or private. Minds of this rare
species see things too much in masses, and seldom, if ever, have a
good temper. That habitual cheerfulness, termed good-humour, is,
perhaps, as seldom united with great mental powers, as with strong
feelings. And those people who follow, with interest and admiration,
the flights of genius; or, with cooler approbation suck in the
instruction which has been elaborately prepared for them by the
profound thinker, ought not to be disgusted, if they find the former
choleric, and the latter morose; because liveliness of fancy, and a
tenacious comprehension of mind, are scarcely compatible with that
pliant urbanity which leads a man, at least, to bend to the opinions
and prejudices of others, instead of roughly confronting them.
But, treating of education or manners, minds of a superior class are
not to be considered, they may be left to chance; it is the multitude,
with moderate abilities, who call for instruction, and catch the
colour of the atmosphere they breathe. This respectable concourse, I
contend, men and women, should not have their sensations heightened in
the hot-bed of luxurious indolence, at the expence of their
understanding; for, unless there be a ballast of understanding, they
will never become either virtuous or free: an aristocracy, founded
on property, or sterling talents, will ever sweep before it, the
alternately timid, and ferocious, slaves of feeling.
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