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Unit 15: Hazlitt—On Genius and Common Sense...

the French tell us, he in consequence attained to the perfection of tragic composition, this was Notes
better than writing comedies as well as Moliere and tragedies as well as Crebillon. Yet I count
those persons fools who think it a pity Hogarth did not succeed better in serious subjects. The
division of labour is an excellent principle in taste as well as in mechanics. Without this, I find
from Adam Smith, we could not have a pin made to the degree of perfection it is. We do not, on
any rational scheme of criticism, inquire into the variety of a man’s excellences, or the number of
his works, or his facility of production. Venice Preserved is sufficient for Otway’s fame. I hate all
those nonsensical stories about Lope de Vega and his writing a play in a morning before breakfast.
He had time enough to do it after. If a man leaves behind him any work which is a model in its
kind, we have no right to ask whether he could do anything else, or how he did it, or how long he
was about it. All that talent which is not necessary to the actual quantity of excellence existing in
the world, loses its object, is so much waste talent or talent to let. I heard a sensible man say he
should like to do some one thing better than all the rest of the world, and in everything else to be
like all the rest of the world. Why should a man do more than his part? The rest is vanity and
vexation of spirit. We look with jealous and grudging eyes at all those qualifications which are not
essential; first, because they are superfluous, and next, because we suspect they will be prejudicial.
Why does Mr. Kean play all those harlequin tricks of singing, dancing, fencing, etc.? They say, ‘It
is for his benefit.’ It is not for his reputation. Garrick indeed shone equally in comedy and tragedy.
But he was first, not second-rate in both. There is not a greater impertinence than to ask, if a man
is clever out of his profession. I have heard of people trying to cross-examine Mrs. Siddons. I
would as soon try to entrap one of the Elgin Marbles into an argument. Good nature and common
sense are required from all people; but one proud distinction is enough for any one individual to
possess or to aspire to.
Self-Assessment
1. Choose the correct options:
(i) Gold Smith was a fool to
(a) Dr. Johnson (b) Hazlitt
(c) Goldsmith (d) None of these
(ii) Dr. Johnson was fool to
(a) Hazlitt (b) Goldsmith
(c) Joshna Renolds (d) None of these
(iii) Genius and .......... depend much upon the some principle
(a) Stupidity (b) Intelligence
(c) Taste (d) Penchant
(iv) Common sense is neither ............ craft nor state policy
(a) Genius (b) Wise
(c) Learned (d) Priest
15.2 Summary

• This essay is a remarkable enunciation of theme that common sense is rarely found. The so-
called common sense is truly uncommon. It is a rare quality and one who possesses it is
really enviable. Many so-called wise men in different branches of life do not possess it. Very
few have it without knowing that they have it. It is known only from its results. It reveals as
a necessary condition that the owner is free from all pretension.
• The common man laughs at the scholar for not having common sense. But the former mistakes
bigotry to be the same as common sense. It is a kind of mental instinct and it feels the air of

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