Duff, William (1732-1815)

An Essay on Original Genius

London

Printed for Edward and Charles Dilly

1767

"In the mean time we may observe, that as the hand of Nature hath stamped different minds with a different kind and degree of Originality, giving each a particular bent to one certain object or pursuit; original Authors will pursue the track marked out by Nature, by faithfully following which they can alone hope for immortality to their writings and reputation."

It would far exceed the bounds prescribed to this Essay, to point out all the particular tracks which an original Genius will strike out in the extensive sphere of Imagination, as those paths are so various and devious. In the mean time we may observe, that as the hand of Nature hath stamped different minds with a different kind and degree of Originality, giving each a particular bent to one certain object or pursuit; original Authors will pursue the track marked out by Nature, by faithfully following which they can alone hope for immortality to their writings and reputation. Thus while one Writer, obeying the impulse of his Genius, displays the exuberance of his Fancy in the beautiful and surprising fictions of Allegory; another discovers the fertility and extent of his Imagination, as well as the justness of his Judgment, in the conduct of the Epic or Dramatic Fable, in which he raise our admiration, our terror, or our pity, as occasion may require.
(pp. 177-8)

Impressions::Stamp

C-H Lion

2 entries in ESTC (1767).

Text from William Duff, An Essay on Original Genius; and its Various Modes of Exertion in Philosophy and the Fine Arts, Particularly in Poetry (London: Printed for Edward and Charles Dilly, 1767). <Link to ESTC>

07/01/2013