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"When an ingenious track of thinking presents itself, though but casually, to true genius, occupied it may be with something else, imagination darts alongst it with great rapidity; and by this rapidity its ardor is more inflamed. The velocity of its motion sets it on fire, like a chariot wheel which is kindled by the quickness of its revolution."

— Gerard, Alexander (1728-1795)

Author

An Essay on Genius

Place of Publication

London and Edinburgh

Publisher

Printed for W. Strahan, T.Cadell, and W. Creech

Date

1774

Metaphor

"When an ingenious track of thinking presents itself, though but casually, to true genius, occupied it may be with something else, imagination darts alongst it with great rapidity; and by this rapidity its ardor is more inflamed. The velocity of its motion sets it on fire, like a chariot wheel which is kindled by the quickness of its revolution."

Metaphor in Context

Enthusiasm has been generally considered as a very common, if not an inseparable attendant of genius. Poets have been looked upon as inspired, both by themselves and others. No man can be an accomplished orator, who is not possessed of such sensibility of heart, as to be actuated, at pleasure, by the passions which he would excite in others. Even the speculative philosopher and the cool mathematician have often displayed a very high degree of ardor in the exertion of their genius. The explication which has been given of the nature of genius, will not only enables us to account for this, but incline us also to reckon it impossible that ever an high degree of genius should be unaccompanied with something of that elevation and warmth of imagination, which we term enthusiasm. Genius turns our thoughts habitually to such subjects as are adapted to it; habitual application to any subject, enables us to form strong and lively conceptions of every thing relating to it; a strong conception naturally invigorates and elevates the imagination in contemplating it; and while this frame continues, all the actions of the mind will be strong and vehement. Such is the disposition with which a man of genius turns his view to any subject; as soon as he begins to think how it may be compleated, he eyes it as a rich treasure, with delight and conscious pride; he triumphs in the prospect of forming "--he knows not what excelling things," and pursues all the associations which it presents, with incredible eagerness and spirit. When an ingenious track of thinking presents itself, though but casually, to true genius, occupied it may be with something else, imagination darts alongst it with great rapidity; and by this rapidity its ardor is more inflamed. The velocity of its motion sets it on fire, like a chariot wheel which is kindled by the quickness of its revolution. As a sprightly courser continually mends his pace, so genius, in proportion as it proceeds in its subject, acquires new force and spirit, which urges it on so vehemently, that it cannot be restrained from prosecuting it. Difficulties in the execution only excite its vigour, rouse its keenness, and draw out its utmost efforts to surmount them. Its motions become still more impetuous, till the mind is enraptured with the subject, and exalted into an extasy. In this manner the fire of genius, like a divine impulse, raises the mind above itself, and by the natural influence of imagination actuates it as if it were supernaturally inspired. The ardor which thus springs from the exertion of genius, has sometimes risen to a degree of fervour perfectly astonishing. Archimedes, Protogenes, and Parmegiano,are said to have been so totally entranced, the two latter in painting, and the former in the less enthusiastic investigation of mathematical truth, as not to be diverted from their works by all the terrors of hostile armies taking by storm the places where they were employed. It is reported of Marini, that he was so intent on revising some stanzas of his Adonis, that he suffered one of his legs to be burnt for a considerable time, before he was sensible of it.--We may remark farther, That as a kind of enthusiastic ardour naturally arises from the exertion of genius, so this ardour greatly assists and improves the operations of genius. By elevating and enlivening the fancy, it gives vigour and activity to its associating power, enables it to proceed with alacrity in searching out the necessary ideas; and at the same time, by engrossing us wholly in the present subject, preserves us from attending to foreign ideas, which would confound our thought, and retard our progress.
(I.iii, pp. 66-9)