Perhaps it isn't a great
matter. No--from a philosophical point of view, such things are
unspeakably petty. But I am not much of a philosopher.' He
laughed, with a break in his voice. 'Defeat in life is defeat,
after all; and unmerited failure is a bitter curse. You see, I am
not too old to do something yet. My sight is failing, but I can
take care of it. If I had my own review, I would write every now
and then a critical paper in my very best style. You remember
poor old Hinks's note about me in his book? We laughed at it, but
he wasn't so far wrong. I have many of those qualities. A man is
conscious of his own merits as well as of his defects. I have
done a few admirable things. You remember my paper on Lord
Herbert of Cherbury? No one ever wrote a more subtle piece of
criticism; but it was swept aside among the rubbish of the
magazines. And it's just because of my pungent phrases that I
have excited so much enmity. Wait! Wait! Let me have my own
review, and leisure, and satisfaction of mind--heavens! what I
will write! How I will scarify!'
'That is unworthy of you.
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