It has not only a desire, but a passion, for every spark of genius that shows itself among us; there is not a bull-calf in our national pasture that can bleat a rhyme but it is ten to one, among his friends, and no takers, that he is the real, genuine, no-mistake Osiris.
Qu'est ce qu'il a fait?
What has he done?
That was Napoleon's test.

What have you done?
Turn up the faces of your picture- cards, my boy! You need not make mouths at the public because it has not accepted you at your own fancy-valuation.

Do the prettiest thing you can and wait your time.
For the verses you send me, I will not say they are hopeless, and I dare not affirm that they show promise.

I am not an editor, but I know the standard of some editors.

You must not expect to "leap with a single bound" into the society of those whom it is not flattery to call your betters.