He was a believer in the divinity of genius and always opposed a stern disbelief to the objections of those petty cavillers and minor critics who wish to reduce all men to their own miserable level--"I will make a scientific simile" he would say, "[i]n the manner, if you will, of Dr.Darwin--I consider the alledged errors of a man of genius as the aberrations of the fixed stars.

It is our distance from them and our imperfect means of communication that makes them appear to move; in truth they always remain stationary, a glorious centre, giving us a fine lesson of modesty if we would thus receive it."[53] I have said that he was a poet: when he was three and twenty years of age he first published a poem, and it was hailed by the whole nation with enthusiasm and delight.

His good star perpetually shone upon him; a reputation had never before been made so rapidly: it was universal.
The multitude extolled the same poems that formed the wonder of the sage in his closet: there was not one dissentient voice.[54] It was at this time, in the height of his glory, that he became acquainted with Elinor.

She was a young heiress of exquisite beauty who lived under the care of her guardian: from the moment they were seen together they appeared formed for each other.

Elinor had not the genius of Woodville but she was generous and noble, and exalted by her youth and the love that she every where excited above the knowledge of aught but virtue and excellence.