I had purposed in this Appendix to have gone more into the details of
authorship, and demonstrated beyond controversy, from the multitude of the unsuccessful
and unfortunate, and the paucity in numbers of those who have reached any moderate
degree of opulence, the truth of the positions I have laid down in regard to literary
pursuits. But the task has grown too large for the summary view I intended for it; and
in order to do it justice, I must defer making up my materials to a future and more
convenient opportunity. In the mean time, I may refer my readers, for a taste, to
“Disraeli’s Calamities of Authors,” and
assure them of a list from me not less disastrous and miserable. Such scenes of
destitution as I have witnessed, and thank God! often been enabled to alleviate; would
force the most buoyant proclaimer of the literary man’s millenium to confess that
there was more universal failure in their objects, and frustration of their hopes, and
also a lower depth of woe into
| 336 | APPENDIX. |
|
“Why to this stormy world, from their long rest,
Are these recall’d, to be again displeased,
Where, during Nature’s reign, we are opprest,
Till we by Death’s high privilege are eased.
|
|
“As rivers to their ruin hasty be,
So life (still earnest, loud, and swift) runs post
To the vast gulf of death, as they to sea,
And. vainly travels to be quickly lost.”—Davenant.
|
I abstain, then, for the present, from going into this sad and painful inquiry; but cannot help suggesting only one argument more, to show the disparity of the rewards which attend the productions of authors and artists; assuredly not begrudging but heartily wishing increase to the latter. But let us quietly set down, in two lines, ten of the one class opposite to ten of the other, and ask the public judgment on the comparison:—
| CRABBE. | EDWIN LANDSEER. |
| WORDSWORTH. | COLLINS. |
| SOUTHEY. | TURNER. |
| TALFOURD. | EASTLAKE. |
| SHERIDAN KNOWLES. | STANFIELD. |
| KENYON. | ROBERTS. |
| TENNYSON. | BOXALL. |
| CROLY. | MACLISE. |
| SWAIN. | UWINS. |
| BEATTIE. | WEBSTER. |
The first column of high intellectual names, which will live for ever
in the annals of literature, for the delight they have afforded to mankind, might sum
up all their pecuniary gains through the whole of their lives and labours at a very few
thousands, probably not more altogether than Turner amassed; and if you add the sums, very justly and meritoriously
earned by the other nine, you will hardly come to the conclusion that the Poet
| APPENDIX. | 337 |
I have not mentioned such names as those of Burns, Hogg, and a long catalogue of others whose lives have been spent in acquiring lasting fame in the turmoil of lasting struggle for bare existence; and only add, for the present, the case of Mr. Horne, the author of an Epic, which could not command a great sale at the price of one farthing, and whom one of my critics has set forth to show that infinitely higher genius than mine has been far less rewarded—which may be true enough—but surely it makes for my argument (and not the reverse) that literary merit is rather an unproductive freehold.
“Sir,
“Various statements having been made in certain quarters of the press concerning my departure for Australia, may I request you will do me the kindness to insert these few words. Considering the great appreciation I received on the publication of my earliest works from some of the noblest intellects of the time, and that during a long period I have experienced the same from nearly all the foremost men in literature, in science, and in art, it would be equally absurd and ungrateful in me to complain of neglect. But while I repudiate all personal complaints at those circumstances which from times immemorial (and memorial) have been the common inheritance of all poets who had a lofty aim and no adventitious aids, I may be permitted simply to record the fact of twenty years of public indifference. This has continued nearly unbroken, so far as my substantive works are concerned, in the face of more elaborate philosophical analysis and criticism, and far higher eulogies, than any poet could reasonably expect during his life. With this record I take my leave.
| 338 | APPENDIX. |
“Let me add, however, that I bear with me a profound emotion towards those, whether strangers or friends (and they are not a few), by whom my writings have been received in the spirit in which they were composed.
“I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
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