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Hereditary Genius
49
statesmen and commanders, mere “eminence” is by no means a
satisfactory criterion of such natural gifts as would make a man
distinguished under whatever circumstances he had been reared. On the
other hand, statesmen of a high order, and commanders of the very highest,
who overthrow all opponents, must be prodigiously gifted. The reader must
judge the cases I quote, in proof of hereditary gifts, by their several merits.
I have endeavoured to speak of none but the most illustrious names. It
would have led to false conclusions, had I taken a larger number, and thus
descended to a lower level of merit.
In conclusion, 1 see no reason to be dissatisfied with the conditions under
which I am bound, of accepting high reputation as a very fair test of high
ability. The nature of the test would not have been altered, if I had
attempted to readjust each man's reputation according to his merits,
because this is what every biographer does. If I had possessed the critical
power of a St. Beuve, I should have merely thrown into literature another
of those numerous expressions of opinion, by the aggregate of which, all
reputations are built.
To conclude: I feel convinced that no man can achieve a very high
reputation without being gifted with very high abilities; and I trust I have
shown reason to believe, that few who possess these very high abilities can
fail in achieving eminence.
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