That must be left to time.
Even the fixed stars at first waver and coruscate, and require long
seasons for their consummation and final settlement.
Whenever he differs with us in opinion (as he does occasionally), let us
not hastily pronounce him to be wrong. It is wise, as well as modest, not
to show too much eagerness to adjust the ideas of all other thinkers to
the (sometimes low) level of our own.
APPENDIX.
In the following pages will be found the opinions of several distinguished
authors on the subject of Charles Lamb's genius and character, and also a
contribution (by himself) to the _Athenaeum_, made in January, 1835. All
the writers were contemporary with Lamb, and were personally intimate with
him. The extracts may be accepted as corroborative, in some degree, of the
opinions set forth in the foregoing Memoir.
HAZLITT.
[_From Hazlitt's "Spirit of the Age." Title, "Elia."_]
Mr. Lamb has the very soul of an antiquarian, as this implies a reflecting
humanity. The film of the past hovers forever before him. He is shy,
sensitive, the reverse of everything coarse, vulgar, obtrusive, and
commonplace. His spirit clothes itself in the garb of elder time;
homelier, but more durable.
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